Wooly Hand Warmers

Wool is such an amazing fiber! In this simple project, we’ll use scraps of felted, upcycled sweater pieces to create warming rice bags. The felted wool covers will actually help to trap in the heat and retain this warmth longer than cotton covers. Did you know that wool is actually quite remarkable in this ability? Because wool fibers are crinkly and coiled, they actually trap moisture and air within their structure.

This easy project is not just hand warming, but heart warming, too! Enjoy the process of slow stitching and make something beautiful for yourself or a loved one.

Sharing Love and Warmth
Materials and Tool Required:

Rice: about ½ cup per bag
Lining fabric: 7 x 3 ½ inch swatch of cotton or flannel
Two pieces of felted wool sweater scraps: 4 ½ x 4 inches each
Various scraps of felted wool for decorating
Embroidery floss
Embroidery needle (size 5 or your preferred)
Optional sewing machine

Note: a funnel can be useful for filling your rice bags!

Working with Embroidery Floss:

Embroidery floss is made up of six individual strands of thread, but it’s easier to sew with less bulk:
Cut your floss to the length directed in each pattern step.
Starting at one end, gently divide it into two sections, each made up of three threads.
Using two hands, gently pull the two groups apart. You now have two separate threads, ready for sewing!
Thread your needle, leaving a 3-4 inch tail, and knot the other end.

Prepare the Inner Liner:

Cut out a piece of lining fabric 7 x 4 ½ inches (I prefer a cotton flannel).
Fold the fabric in half to form a 3 ½ x 4 ½-inch rectangle, right-sides-together, and pin in place.
Measuring from a corner, leave a 1 ½-inch gap for stuffing, then stitch around three edges with a sewing machine or a small tight Back Stitch. Use a 3/8” seam allowance.
Turn and repeat stitching to strengthen seams.
Trim the three sewn corners to ease turning right-side-out. (Do not trim the corner at the filling gap.)
Turn the lining right-side out.
Using a funnel, fill the bag with about ½ cup of rice.
Fold under raw edges at opening and stitch closed with a sewing machine or by hand.
Repeat stitching to avoid leaks.

Prepare the Wool Front and Back Cover:

Choose two matching or contrasting colors of felted, upcycled sweater scraps for the front and back of your wool cover.
Cut the scraps to be 4 x 4 1/2 inches each.
If desired, trim the front cover slightly smaller with pinking shears for a decorative edge.
Decorate the front of your cover with embroidery and appliqué, using small scraps of felted wool.
DON’T cover more than 50% of the wool cover with appliqué so that heat can radiate through easily!

Download the Free PDF Tutorial!

The tutorial includes detailed illustrations and three pattern templates to make the heart, bird, or sun hand warmer. It reviews all three ways to appliqué and some decorative embroidery stitches. ENJOY!

Three Ways to Appliqué: