How to Make Wrist Warmers From Wool Sweaters

Turn a wool sweater into snug wrist warmers.

Wrist warmers serve both fashionable and serviceable function, keeping your wrists warm in style. If you lack knitting expertise, get creative and make innovative wrist warmers using materials you have on hand. An old sweater that shows signs of wear and tear can serve in a new way if you cut it up carefully. Choose warm and colorful sweaters, possibly even thrift store finds, and make wrist warmers from wool sweaters.

Things You'll Need

• Felted wool sweater
• Tape measure
• Scissors
• Pins (optional)
• Sewing machine or serger
• Matching thread

Instructions

1. Wash a wool sweater in the washing machine in hot water if it is not felted already. A felted wool sweater appears thick and fuzzy, with the wool fibers tightly woven together. After washing the sweater, dry it in the dryer on a medium heat setting. When you remove the sweater, it should appear much smaller than it was.

2. Lay the sweater out on a flat surface and cut two 8-inch by 6-inch rectangles from the front or back of the garment.

3. Finish the two short edges of the rectangles by serging the raw edges or zigzag stitching along the very edges with the sewing machine. This step is optional. If you prefer an unfinished edge, the felted wool will probably stand up to wear without unraveling.

4. Place the long edges of the rectangles together, aligning sides and corners perfectly. Pin the edges to hold them together, if you desire.

5. Sew the long edges of both rectangles together using a zigzag stitch on the sewing machine or serge the edges together with the serger. This creates tubes with the felted wool.

6. Turn the tubes right side out to finish the wrist warmers. Slide them onto your arms and position them over your wrists, extending from the backs of your hands up to your forearms.

Tips & Warnings

• Make your rectangles an inch or two larger to accommodate large forearms and an inch or two smaller for child-size arms.

References

• "Second-Time Cool: The Art of Chopping Up a Sweater"; Maria Lundin; 2005