Introduction: How to Make a Beanie, Poncho and Mittens From an Old Sweater
Step 1: The Beanie Hat: Measuring and Marking
1. Flip the sweater inside out and pin the two layers together.
2. Next measure 10 inches across the bottom starting at one of the side seams and mark it.
3. Make another mark in-between these two points, and measure up 8 inches.
4. Make sure you secure the area with a few pins to avoid shifting.
5. Next draw a dome shape connecting the three points.
Step 2: The Beanie Hat: Sewing and Finishing
6. Cut the shape out about one inch above where the line is drawn.
7. Using a tight zigzag stitch, sew along the line.
8. Take out your pins and trim off the excess fabric.
9. Turn it inside out and try it on. Now you have a sweet new hat!
Step 3: The Poncho: Shaping
1. Take your leftover sweater and draw a diagonal line starting at about two inches above the highest point where your hat was cut out. From one edge of the sweater all the way to the beginning point of the opposite seam.
2. Then cut along the line.
3. Cut off the sleeves and all the down along the edge to the bottom of the sweater.
4. And repeat to the other side.
Step 4: The Poncho: Finishing
5. When thats all done, open it up, and it should look like the picture.
6. Then just hem the edge with a zigzag stitch to create a "lettuce edge" and you've got yourself a poncho.
Step 5: The Mittens: Shaping
1. Take out those extra sleeves, and turn them inside out.
2. Get a friend to trace around your hand, and secure the two layers together with a few pins inside your mitten shape.
3. Cut out the shape. Again remember to cut about 1 inch outside of your drawn line.
Step 6: The Mittens: Finishing
4. Using a zigzag stitch sew along the line.
5. Trim of the excess fabric along the edge.
6. Turn them inside out, and you've got new mittens!
13 Comments
6 years ago
great how about items for two yr old
10 years ago on Introduction
This is so easy and at smart at the same time. Love it, thank you for sharing it :)
11 years ago on Step 2
Good job man! Always lookin for new ways to make wearable stuff. Thanks. :) I'm gonna make a ''Bill Cosby-sweater'' beanie next time I run to the thrift store. :)
12 years ago on Introduction
I just made the beanie, and it was as easy as described - one note: i used a thin cable knit sweater and don't love how the material gathered/bunched around the knits. The picture appears to use a nice flat knit and I think that would be the best!
13 years ago on Step 6
wow this is the pattern i have been needing i have 6 kids and they always loose hats and gloves. people always give me lots of old clothes. this is a pattern that i can get a ton of mileage out of.
13 years ago on Step 2
The best, most detailed, most easily explained sweater hat instructions I've found, and the exact shape of hat I'm looking for. Thanks so very much.
14 years ago on Introduction
threadbanger ROCKS!!
14 years ago on Introduction
what's the point of the poncho???! I like the beanie and mittens, though...
15 years ago on Introduction
Can you guys show how to make a girls hat? Like the one the girl in the video is wearing?
15 years ago on Introduction
Kewl way 2 recycle. the hats and mittens could be made and donated to homeless shelters!
15 years ago on Introduction
Im calling the fashion police on you, for your own good! :P
15 years ago on Introduction
I have bin wanting to make my self a beanie for so long ( cant find any in stores that will fit ). So thanks for the info.
15 years ago on Introduction
Cool Instructable! They look really nice in the end.