How to Make Sweater Mittens

Transform an old sweater into something new

Winter mittens hanging in tree. — Tina Marie Photography/Getty Images

By

Updated on 08/31/18

Do you have a sweater that's old and worn out? Or perhaps it's out of style or the moths got to it. It might also be a favorite sweater that you just don't want to let go of. If that's the case, transform it into a cozy pair of sweater mittens.

Supply List

To make a pair of sweater mittens you will need the following items:

An old sweater
Paper
A pen or pencil
Scissors
Thread
Sewing pins
A sewing machine (optional)

01

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Trace Your Hand on a Piece of Paper

Lay out one of your hands on a piece of paper with your fingers together and your thumb out at the side as though you are wearing a pair of mittens. It doesn't matter which hand you use. Then, trace around the outline of your hand.

02

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Create a Pattern for Your Sweater Mittens

Create a pattern for your sweater mittens. Erin Huffstetler

Add a half-inch all the way around your traced hand to allow for seams. You'll also want to add an inch or more at the bottom of the mitten in order to create a cuff. Make any other necessary (and personalized) tweaks to your mitten design before finalizing your pattern.

Note: If you already have a pair of mittens that fit you well, you can use them as your pattern. Just trace around one of the mittens, and add in the allowances on the sides and bottom for seams and cuffs.

03

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Pin the Mitten Pattern to the Sweater

Pin the mitten pattern to the front of the sweater. Erin Huffstetler

Cut out your mitten pattern and pin it to the front of the sweater. In order to create a nice finished cuff, line up the bottom edge of your pattern with the bottom edge of the sweater.

Tip: Baby and toddler mittens fit nicely on sweater sleeves.

04

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Cut Out the First Sweater Mitten

Cut around the pattern to create the first mitten shape. Erin Huffstetler

Cut around the mitten pattern. Because you are cutting through two pieces of material, this will give you two mitten-shaped pieces of fabric.

05

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Cut Out the Second Sweater Mitten

Cut Out the Second Sweater Mitten. Erin Huffstetler

Flip the mitten pattern, and pin it to another section of the sweater. Be sure to select an area of the sweater consistent with the section you chose for the first mitten. Next, cut around the pattern to create the second mitten. Make sure you use a pair of sharp scissors that are big enough to cut through the material. It's a good idea to test the scissors first on another part of the sweater.

06

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Flip the Mittens and Pin

Flip the mittens inside out and pin. Erin Huffstetler

Flip the mittens inside out, and securely pin them together. If you're using a delicate material such as cashmere you'll have to be careful not to damage the material when pinning. Be sure your pins aren't bent or damaged in any way and that they're free of rust.

07

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Sew the Mittens Together

Sew the Mittens Together. Erin Huffstetler

Stitch around the edge of both mittens, leaving a quarter-inch seam allowance. Next, flip the material right-side out, and your mittens are ready to wear or ship to your friend or relative. If you are making a pair of mittens for someone else you'll have to approximate the size by either cutting larger or smaller than your hand size.