8 Ideas for Recycled Sweater Mittens

I’ve got mittens on my mind! This Sunday, we’re excited to be teaming up with Denver Craft Ninjas to create mittens from felted sweaters. I really like this project not only because it involves recycling, but also because the mittens are both cute and functional–especially if you live in a chilly climate! With the holidays coming right up, mittens also make a great handmade gift.

Mittens & Hat from "Heart-Felt Gifts"

In Sew News Dec/Jan ’12, we featured several projects made from felted sweaters in “Heart-FELT Gifts,” including a matching hat and mittens set above, embellished with cute bows cut from the sweater scraps. (Download the free patterns here.) To prepare for our Denver Craft Ninjas project, I’ve been looking around the web for inspiration for customizing and decorating handmade mittens, such as applique, embroidery and needle felting. I’ve compiled some ideas here to spark your creativity whether you can join us on Sunday or you’re stitching up some mittens in your own neighborhood!

Here’s a bunch of cute mittens from Baabaazuzu. I like the mixing and matching of different patterns and the cute buttons on the cuffs:

I like the cute heart appliques and buttons on these mittens from Sweater Scrapyard:

These mittens from Mommy Knows take a less girly approach with cool skull appliques made from felt scraps:

I like the patchwork piecing and blanket stitch embroidery on these mittens from WoodNGoods:

One of my personal favorites–needle felted Pac-Mac designs from EnviroCrafter:

These mittens from Elizabeth Abernathy incorporate a pretty Fairisle design:

Cute little squirrels and hearts from ForMyDarling:

I can’t wait to try out some of these ideas this weekend! And there’s still time for you to sign up for the class, by the way! Have you ever sewn anything from felted recycled wool?