Hacks for the Holidays #5

Hand-made Mittens!

The very best gifts come from the heart. There is nothing as charming as something you can tell a child created on their own…with maybe just a little assistance from an adult. This hack is both practical and sweet…enjoy!

Do you have any old sweaters lying around the house that may have lost their purpose? This little trick will show you how to make a pair of mittens from said sweater, with a pattern, a pair of scissors, a big needle, and some yarn.

You will need

• An old sweater
• Yarn
• Large, darning needle
• Scissors
• Paper

First create a pattern by tracing around your child’s hand, or your own if the mittens will be for an adult. Connect the fingertips and create a “mitten shape” for a pattern. Draw a ½” outline around this shape for a final pattern—the slightly larger size allows for a seam allowance and room for the stitching. Fold the sweater front in half. Lay the pattern at the bottom of the sweater—the ribbing on the bottom will create a “cuff” for the mitten. Pin or hold the pattern onto the sweater and trim around it.  Lay the two layers of sweater on top of one another and use a large needle and yarn to whip stitch the two layers together—and there you have it, a mitten! Make the second mitten the same way to finish off the pair.