Introduction: Warm Fingerless Mittens

About: I am a busy gal from Southern California. I have a full-time job, but I love to express my creative side the rest of the time by doing all types of DIY projects. I am addicted to Instructables and spend way …

Fingerless Mittens

Materials Needed

Fabric - ¼ yard
Newspaper - 1 sheet
Sharpie – any dark color
Sewing machine (or needle and thread)
Time

Step 1:

Gather materials needed.   I used fleece fabric that was a pillow in a former life.  Fleece is nice because it doesn’t unravel so you don’t need to finish the edges, it sort of stretches, and is very forgiving.

Step 2:

Draw outline:Draw an outline of your hand and forearm on newspaper.Point your thumb out away from your fingers, like you are making a “Stop” sign with your hands. Draw the outline leaving one inch all around. You can always trim later.You can draw this pattern directly onto the fabric if it is light colored.That will save one step.

Step 3:

Shorten fingers:  When looking at the hand pattern on the newspaper or the fabric, draw across the fingers between the first and second knuckles.  Hand and finger sizes and lengths differ, make the mitten so it comes to the area you want.  Look at the photo if this doesn’t make sense.

Step 4:

Cut (and Embroider):  Cut out hand pattern from the paper.  Test it against your hand and widen, narrow, shorten or lengthen as you need.  When it is the perfect size cut from the fabric.  Fold fabric in half so you have two layers.  Lay paper pattern on fabric and cut.  Cut two with thumb facing right.  Turn pattern over.  Cut two with thumb facing left.  If you want to embroider the top of the mittens, (as I have in the black pair of mittens), this would be the best time.  It is much easier to embroider on one open piece of fabric rather than getting your hand inside the mitten when it is sewn.

Step 5:

Sew:  Sew up the side edges and up and down the  thumb area.  Use a small (5/8”) seam allowance.  Don’t sew finger lines yet.  Cut out thumb triangle.  Cut small lines (notch) up to the seam rounding that inside thumb corner.   This keeps the material from bunching up when you turn it inside out.  Turn inside out.  Mark lines where you will sew the channels separating the fingers.  I made mine around ½” long because I have small hands.  If you are making mittens for Paul Bunyan, allow for plenty of room and length.  Sew three lines for channels for each finger.

Step 6:

Alterations:  Try on.  Turn inside out to make alterations – tighten, shorten, trim - if needed.  Trim excess material from inside seams to remove any bulk.  Try on again and admire your handiwork.

Step 7:

Show off:Wear on cold mornings and show off to your friends and co-workers.

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Holiday Gifts Challenge