Introduction: 3-i Boiled Wool MITTENS

About: I am an artist living and teaching ART in NYC for over 30 years, and I am a CZT, Certified Zentangle Teacher. I love to explore all sorts of art making both in my teaching and in my own work...check out my sit…

Using only three ingredients I made a pair of very soft and warm mittens for my Grand daughter.

Step 1: The 3 INGREDIENTS

1. thrift shop (100%wool) sweater...I was lucky and found a cashmere sweater, with a pretty cool cable stitch for 75 cents!

2. embroidery floss

3. cold hands

Step 2: Additional Supplies

a few additional supplies you will need are, an embroidery needle, marker, scrap paper, scissor, straight pins, large pot, stove, and a clothes dryer....

Step 3: Boil the Wool

Put the sweater in a large pot filled about three quarters of the way full of water. Bring it to a boil and let it boil for about 5 -10 minutes. Boiling the wool shrinks it and makes the knit of the sweater dense. This provides a much warmer material to make the mittens. It is important that you use 100% wool otherwise it will not shrink.

After boiling dry the sweater completely in a hot clothes dryer. The sweater should be significantly smaller when removed. Mine went from and XL to an XS.

Step 4: Create Pattern

Draw around the hand of the mitten recipient leaving a slight "aura"

Step 5: Pin & Cut

Cut the paper patter, while laying the sweater flat pin the pattern. I left a bit of the ribbing on the bottom of the mitten pattern.

Cut through the double layer of sweater for the first mitten. Un-pin the pattern, and re-pin the two pieces together. Replace the pattern and re-pin and cut the second mitten.

Step 6: Sewing the Mittens

Keep the two mitten pieces pinned together while sewing. I chose a colorful floss rather then trying to match the color of the sweater. Make close stitches all around the outside edge of the mittens. I used a chain stitch.

Quick, fun and easy.....

Three Ingredient Challenge

Participated in the
Three Ingredient Challenge

Patterns Contest

Participated in the
Patterns Contest

Homemade Gifts Contest 2015

Participated in the
Homemade Gifts Contest 2015