Refashion: Fleece gloves to handwarmers
It's getting cold in my studio/workshop/garage. Even if the fog burns off and the day warms up, unless it gets really hot, my workshop stays pretty cool. Which isn't so bad, but my hands get cold and I can't stand cold hands!
I've been coveting a pair of knit handwarmers since last winter and I've got all sorts of fabulous favorites over at Etsy, but I haven't found exactly what I'm looking for in terms of color and style. Then Erin went and knit up a whole batch a couple of weeks ago, and that really put me over the edge! I want to knit some too! I think that project will have to wait, as I am fully consumed by the never-ending knit scarf (which I still love!), and definitely don't have the skills yet for that sort of project.
But as I was thinking about my cold hands, and coveting (as I do), I remembered a pair of Old Navy fleece gloves that I had crammed into a drawer in my dresser. I hardly ever wore them, and I thought I might be able to make them at least partially cute.
I started by cutting off the fingers and thumb.
Then I whipstitched around the cut openings.
I used ordinary embroidery floss...simple.
That was easy, but I still thought they were a bit boring. Initially, I started to embroider little flowers on the top, but my flowers didn't quite turn out the way I visualized, and you can't really draw or trace on fleece, so I had to think of something else.
I cut out little flowers from ivory felt and stitched them to the tops.
And added little faux-pearl beads to the centers, and a little running stitch for the stem...
That's better.
Even toastier with some hot chai! Mmmmm. Perfect!
I think I have a matching fleece scarf crammed into another drawer somewhere...
I commented on your flickr and it's so funny because my black fleece gloves are sitting next to my mouse here. They noticed the beauty of those handwarmers and are quite jealous.
Posted by: Shari | November 20, 2007 at 09:38 AM
Oh I love these! What a great idea:)
Posted by: Chara Michele | November 20, 2007 at 10:21 AM
Oh those are really cute! I remember the cold hand syndrome when my studio was in the garage. brrr!
Posted by: Jill | November 20, 2007 at 10:24 AM
Awesome awesome awesome!
Posted by: Georgia | November 20, 2007 at 11:08 AM
Just brilliant what you tuened them into, well done to you!!!
Posted by: Debra | November 20, 2007 at 12:28 PM
thats the greatest!!!! i must make some. lol
Posted by: jeanetta | November 20, 2007 at 12:42 PM
You're so clever!
Posted by: beki | November 20, 2007 at 12:51 PM
I see many crafts, but this is fabulous! I'm going to do this! I have a cold studio/garage/shop also. :)
Posted by: Chelsea D. | November 20, 2007 at 02:10 PM
So very cool! I mean warm....hehehe
Posted by: Rosie | November 20, 2007 at 02:12 PM
You are so talented my friend. They are beautiful!
Posted by: sharla | November 20, 2007 at 02:24 PM
What a clever idea!! I'm constantly needing a pair of handwarmers, and this is a great way to repurpose gloves! :) Thank you for sharing!!
Posted by: Casey | November 20, 2007 at 02:43 PM
I love those gloves. They are beautiful! I think I need to go make me a pair. My hands get cold doing my crafting.
Posted by: Shelly | November 20, 2007 at 06:47 PM
Your hand warmers went from boring to beautiful! Now, I want to make some. The fleece and felt combo are perfect!
~elaine~
Posted by: Elaine L. | November 20, 2007 at 10:43 PM
Those are adorable! You've been so creative lately! You go girl! Happy Thanksgiving! Cece
Posted by: Cece Marie | November 21, 2007 at 11:03 AM
Oh, one more thing...Restoration Hardware is selling a fabulous little handwarming device this season that you can keep in your pocket. Perfect for when your setting up at cold Farmers Markets! It is this cute 1950's looking chrome pocket size thing that warms up with a flint. Thought you might be interested!
Posted by: Cece Marie | November 21, 2007 at 11:05 AM
so cute! love them!
:) D
Posted by: Diana | November 21, 2007 at 07:26 PM
Those are far too cute for words! Can I copy?
Posted by: Kira Morris | November 22, 2007 at 02:52 AM
Fantastic! thank you for sharing how-to, I wanted to make one like these but always thought that I would have to crochet or knit (and I don't much), but I am going to make it your way!
Posted by: monattka | November 23, 2007 at 12:02 PM
I LOVE those! Nice job.
More importantly, when will you start selling them on your website? (As I don't have mad crafting skills...)
Seriously. When?
; - )
Posted by: Julia | November 26, 2007 at 04:47 PM
Everything you make is so so so cute!
Posted by: Tess | November 26, 2007 at 07:09 PM
These are gorgeous. I've been wanting to do the exact thing to my coat (cream embellishments). Glad to see how beautiful it looks. :)
Posted by: futuregirl | December 15, 2007 at 07:59 PM
Thanks for sharing. Your handwarmers look beautiful.
Posted by: Diana Hernández | February 14, 2008 at 06:36 AM