After reading wrique's excellent instructable on making mitten warmers, I decided to try making a neck warmer. I wanted something that could be microwaved and then sit around the neck, to keep someone warm during cold winter walks. I came up with a design that was very popular with my girlfriend, and my mother asked me to make her one too. The second time around, I took pictures of the process so that I could make this instructable. Here is what you'll need to make your own!
Materials:
* Scissors
* A thin, round-ended dowel
* Paper and tape (optional)
* Some kind of soft fabric (a square yard should be plenty)
* Small scraps of a second fabric for the front of the ears (technically optional, could use same fabric)
* Sewing machine with thread, sewing pins
* Needle, thicker thread for embroidering face
* Two roughly brick-sized packages of red beans (sorry, I forget the exact size)
Materials:
* Scissors
* A thin, round-ended dowel
* Paper and tape (optional)
* Some kind of soft fabric (a square yard should be plenty)
* Small scraps of a second fabric for the front of the ears (technically optional, could use same fabric)
* Sewing machine with thread, sewing pins
* Needle, thicker thread for embroidering face
* Two roughly brick-sized packages of red beans (sorry, I forget the exact size)
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The kids will be clamoring for these if I let them see this i'ble!
Re: Microwave times.
Longer microwave times shouldn't hurt the beans, but might hurt the wearer.
We started with similar, but not nearly as fun shaped, rice filled warmers. The original one came with a warning to never microwave more than 80-90 seconds. The terry cloth covering helped to keep the hot rice slightly distanced from the skin but they had big burn potential if over cooked.
We also have larger cotton clad "corn cuddlers" filled with about a quart of field corn. When they are new they get really hot after 90 seconds on high. As they age, they take more time (2+ minutes) in the microwave to come out a reasonable temperature (I'm assuming from the corn drying further with age and continued microwaving).
The point is, start with a short time and check it before wrapping a potentially scalding tube of fire around your neck!
You can always stick it back in the microwave for another cycle before heading out for a walk, but it'd suck if you had to delay a walk while the critter cooled down.
I too agree a little tail add-on would be excellent. :D