Recycled Sweater Gloves

This winter, I found myself in need of a new pair of gloves. Being a passionate crafter, I pondered the possibility of creating them myself using a recycled sweater. I tried my hand at different crafts, from paper-making and felting bags to crochet and amigurumi. However, knitting has never been my main focus. I can manage knitting and purling (always in a fear of dropping a stitch) but that’s about it.

I’ve always admired the beauty of traditional Latvian knitted mittens. Actually, I love all sorts of colorfull, nordic patterned knitted mittens and gloves. But I didn’t want to purchase them, I wanted to make them myself. So I just used an old woolen sweater that was laying around and didn’t serve its purpose. I traced the shape of my hands (excluding the fingers), stitched the edges using my trusty sewing machine (my Bernina does a great job with thick fabrics), and crocheted fingers and tops. Adding the finishing touch with a button, my homemade gloves were complete. Aren’t they beautiful? Not really Latvian but I love them and will keep my hands warm this winter.

I made a mistake though. I cut out the shape of the whole hand in one piece. Later I learned that I should have cut the thumbs separately. That’s why they turned out a bit tighter than needed but once I put the gloves on they adjust.