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    Home » DIY Projects

    Upcycled Ear Warmer Headband and Mittens

    January 26, 2021 by Patti Estep 12 Comments

    Jump to How-to Card
    Blue cable mittens and headband
    Face shot with blue ear warmers and mittens, a blue cable sweater and and mitten and ear warmer set tied with a ribbon.

    Learn how to make this sweater mitten and ear warmer headband set. Recycle an old cable sweater or pick one up at a thrift store. No sewing machine required.

    Set of mittens and headband made from a sweater

    Recently I started walking outside for exercise. However, it seemed like as soon as I did the weather turned really cold. In my area, we should have several weeks of cool but not frigid weather. 

    I decided that I needed gloves and a hat if I wanted to continue my morning walks.

    Blue cable knit sweater

    I found this pretty blue cable knit sweater at Goodwill for $5. It's thick and made of cotton and I thought it would make a great sweater mitten and ear warmer headband set. 

    This would also be a great project for any sweater in your closet that you haven't worn in years. Maybe you have a stain or tear in one that could be repurposed into mittens and a headband.

    Even a child's size would work for mittens and you could piece together enough fabric to make a headband, so keep that in mind when you shop or forage through your home.

    Hand on sweater

    Making an Ear Warmer Headband and Mittens from a Cable Sweater

    You could easily use a sewing machine for this project but, I wanted to show how easy it is to use hand sewing to create this set.

    Start by turning the sweater inside out and tracing both hands at the bottom.  Place your hands just above the banding so that you can use that part as a cuff.

    Hands traced and pinned on sweater

    Pin the front and back together to make it easier to cut out and sew.

    Hand sew with blanket stitch

    With right sides together hand sew the mittens. Starting on one side near the cuff, sew up the side to the top. Then down and around to the other side. 

    How to Hand Sew

    Take a long piece of strong thread in a similar color. Thread the needle and bringing the ends together, make a knot. 

    I like to use what I think is called a blanket stitch. Do this by placing the needle through both pieces of fabric and pull through until it stops at the knot. Then move about 1/8 - 1/4 inch and place the needle through again. This time, before you pull the thread all the way through, loop the needle under the thread and pull tight. (see image above)

    Repeat until you get to the other side. Finish by making a few stitches in the same spot, and also passing the needle through the loop each time.

    Turn the mittens right side out and wear.

    Sweater sleeve

    For the headband simply cut off the sleeve. Fit it to your head and cut down if needed at the top. 

    Pinned ends of sweater sleeve

    Slide the top raw edge of the sleeve into the cuff and pin together.

    Hand sew sweater sleeve ends together

    Sew the two pieces together this time using a whipstitch. Start, by placing the needle under on one side and bringing it up through the second piece on the other side. Then back over to the first side and continuing until you meet up with the first stitches. Make a couple of knots and your headband is complete.

    Model wearing ear warmer headband and mittens.

    Here I am with the finished products. They are really soft and quite warm. 

    No more excuses. At least until the snow comes.

    Mittens and ear warmer headband tied with ribbon

    Though sizes will vary, I do think this sweater mittens and headband set would make a nice gift.

    You could even get fancy and use two different sweaters. Maybe one solid and one stripe? I'd probably try to keep them in the same weight and fabric. But hey, half the fun is being able to to be creative and experimenting on different styles and techniques. So do whatever feels good to you. 

    More Recycling Projects: 

    • Embroidered Sweater Ornaments
    • DIY Leather Bracelets
    • Embroidery Hoop Upcycle
    Model wearing headband and mittens.
    Print

    Upcycled Ear Warmer and Mitten Set

    Learn how to make this sweater mitten and ear warmer headband set. Recycle an old cable sweater or pick one up at a thrift store. No sewing machine required.
    Active Time30 mins
    Total Time30 mins
    Course: Thrift Store/Vintage
    Yield: 1 set
    Author: Patti Estep
    Cost: $5

    Equipment

    • scissors
    • Chalk marker
    • Needle and thread

    Materials

    • Cable sweater

    Instructions

    • Turn the sweater inside out and trace both hands at the bottom
    • Place your hands just above the bottom banding so that you can use that part as a cuff.
    • Pin the front and back together.
    • With right sides together hand sew the mittens.
    • Starting on one side near the cuff. Sew up the side to the top, down, and around to the other side. 
    • Repeat until you get to the other side.
    • Finish by making a few stitches in the same spot, and also passing the needle through the loop each time.
    • Turn the mittens right side out and wear.

    • Ear Warmer/Headband
    • Cut off the sleeve of the sweater.
    • Fit it to your head and cut it down if needed at the top.
    • Slide the top raw edge of the sleeve into the cuff and pin together.
    • Sew the two pieces together this time using a whipstitch. 
    • Start, by placing the needle under on one side and bringing it up through the second piece on the other side. Then back over to the first side and continuing until you meet up with the first stitches. 
    • Make a couple of knots and your headband is complete.

    More DIY Projects

    • Make Your Own Corn Heating Bags
    • How to Make Your Own Birdseed Cakes
    • Make an Emergency Candle Kit for Power Outages
    • Homemade Dusting Spray

    About Patti Estep

    Patti is the creator of Hearth and Vine, a home and garden blog filled with projects to inspire your creative side. She loves crafting, gardening, decorating and entertaining at her home in Pennsylvania. When she is not working on a project at home or searching for treasures at nurseries and thrift stores with her girlfriends, you’ll probably find her with family and friends, at a restaurant, or home party enjoying new and different food adventures.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Nancy Lallman

      December 08, 2021 at 10:48 am

      Patti,
      Thank you for sharing your fabulous creativity with the world!!! I'm going to make your jeans purse and mittens/head warmer. Appreciate your easy-to-follow instructions. Thanks!!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        December 08, 2021 at 11:55 am

        Nancy, I'm so glad you like them. Have fun and thanks for sharing your thoughts.

        Reply
    2. Nicole

      February 22, 2021 at 6:50 pm

      I was thinking a simple fleece lining for the mittens might be nice, too. Especially for those of us in the cold hands club!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        February 23, 2021 at 7:32 am

        That's a great idea Nicole. Especially if you were making them for a gift. Thanks for sharing.

        Reply
    3. MrsSW

      January 29, 2021 at 1:02 pm

      You look warm and cozy, Patti.
      Sheila

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        January 29, 2021 at 1:12 pm

        I'm not the best model. However, my girls have left me so this is what I have to work with. 🙂
        Have a great weekend Sheila!

        Reply
    4. Amanda Lake

      January 29, 2021 at 9:06 am

      I love your mittens and ear warmer and the instructions are great. I’d like to try this. I really enjoy your projects. You always brighten my day.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        January 29, 2021 at 9:19 am

        Thanks Amanda. This lovely comment made my day!

        Reply
    5. Carole West

      November 19, 2018 at 8:56 am

      You are so cute - I love this and so glad you showed how to make using hand stitching. Because I can do that. LOL - I'm taking two weeks off in December so this will be a fun project to give a try. Such a great gift idea too. I always say if I have a hat and gloves on I can handle the cold without a problem.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        November 19, 2018 at 1:37 pm

        It's really easy Carole. I hope you get a chance to try it.

        Reply
    6. Denise

      November 19, 2018 at 7:38 am

      This is such a good idea! You are so creative Patti!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        November 19, 2018 at 1:37 pm

        Thanks Denise. You should try it.

        Reply

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