Upcycled Sweater Mittens from Old Knits

5 min read

Upcycled sweater mittens from old knits turn a sweater you no longer wear into warm, cozy mittens, and the project takes under an hour. A felted wool sweater makes the best mittens, because felting thickens the fabric and stops it from unraveling. Sweater mittens are warmer than store-bought ones, since the felted wool blocks wind, and each pair is unique. This project is also a satisfying way to keep a favorite sweater in use long after it stops fitting.

Start with a wool or wool-blend sweater, a mitten pattern or a hand tracing, scissors, pins, a sewing machine or a needle and thread, and fleece for lining if you want extra warmth. Choose a sweater that is at least eighty percent wool, since synthetic sweaters do not felt and will unravel when cut. Felt the sweater first by washing it in hot water and drying it on high heat, which shrinks and thickens the knit.

Felting the Sweater

Felting is the key step that turns a loose sweater into mitten fabric, so do not skip it. Wash the sweater in hot water with a little detergent, then dry it on high heat, and repeat if the fabric still looks loose. A felted sweater shrinks by about a third and the stitches disappear into a dense mat, which is exactly what you want. Check the sweater after each cycle, since over-felting makes the fabric stiff and hard to sew.

Test the felted fabric by cutting a small scrap and pulling on the edges, since a well-felted knit should not unravel. If the stitches still separate, run another hot wash and dry cycle. Avoid felting sweaters with a lot of acrylic, since acrylic does not felt and the fabric will stay loose.

Cutting Mitten Pieces

Make a mitten pattern by tracing your hand on paper, adding a half inch of seam allowance all around, and shaping a separate thumb piece. Lay the pattern on the felted sweater, aligning the cuff of the mitten with the sweater’s ribbed hem, which gives you a finished cuff for free. Cut two mirror-image mitten pieces for each hand, flipping the pattern for the second piece, plus two thumb pieces. Use the sweater’s existing cuffs, pockets, or buttons as design details where they fall naturally.

Cut with sharp scissors and keep the pieces flat, since felted wool is thick and dull blades chew the edges. If the sweater has a pretty cable pattern, position the mitten so the cables run down the back of the hand, which looks impressive. Save the scraps, since small pieces of felted wool make coasters, ornaments, and patches.

Sewing the Mittens

Pin the two mitten pieces together with the right sides facing out, since felted wool does not fray and the seam can show on the outside for a rustic look. Sew around the mitten with a straight stitch or a zigzag stitch, leaving the cuff open, and backstitch at the start and finish. Attach the thumb piece by pinning it into the thumb opening and stitching it in place, checking that it sits at a natural angle. A thumb that points too far forward feels awkward, while one that sits too flat makes the mitten hard to put on.

Sew slowly around the curves, since felted wool is thick and the machine can skip stitches if you rush. Use a denim needle and a slightly longer stitch length for thick fabric, and test on a scrap first. If you hand sew, use a blanket stitch around the edges, which looks decorative and holds well.

Lining for Extra Warmth

Line the mittens with fleece for extra warmth, cutting the lining pieces slightly smaller than the outer pieces so they sit smoothly inside. Sew the lining pieces together the same way as the outer mittens, then slip the lining inside and stitch it to the cuff. A fleece lining adds warmth without bulk, and it feels soft against the skin. If you skip the lining, the mittens are still warm, but the inside of felted wool can feel slightly scratchy.

Choose a fleece color that matches or contrasts with the sweater, since the lining shows at the cuff. Tack the lining to the outer mitten at the thumb and the cuff so it does not bunch up inside. If the lining bunches, trim it slightly and re-tack it, since a bunched lining makes the mitten hard to put on. A lined pair of sweater mittens is as warm as any store-bought pair, and far more personal.

Finishing and Caring for Mittens

Finish the mittens by trimming loose threads, checking the seams, and adding a small loop or a button for decoration if you like. A loop of ribbon at the cuff lets you hang the mittens to dry, and a wooden button adds a handmade touch. Try both mittens on and flex your hands, checking that the thumbs sit comfortably and the cuffs stay up. A well-made pair of sweater mittens should feel snug but not tight, with room to wiggle your fingers.

Wash sweater mittens by hand in cool water with a little wool wash, and lay them flat to dry, since machine washing can felt them further and shrink the fit. Store them in a dry place, and check the seams at the start of each winter, re-stitching any loose spots.

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