Gloves (like socks), while born to be part of a pair, often end their days in lonely solitude, separated from their mates by the forces of the universe that conspire at every turn to pull them apart. Alone, they sadly serve little purpose (aside from the occasional show biz appearance for only the most sparkling among them), and are left to languish in the backs of a drawers and bottoms of closets — that is, if they’re not disposed of all together. Ah… but it’s a new day.
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With her book, Happy Gloves: Charming Softy Friends Made from Colorful Gloves, she’s given hopelessly single gloves a new lease on life as cozy companions. In her able hands, one glove’s worth of material becomes an elephant, a penguin, a donkey, a bunny — you name it — all set free to romp and play together. (Can’t you just hear the claps of cheer?) Crafter and author Miyako Kanamori has a plan and she’s ready to share it! Try your hands at this chipmunk to start your very own menagerie of recycled glove critters. Download complete instructions here or follow along below. |
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| BUY the book at Amazon! |


















Thanks to the Penguin Group for sharing this project from Happy Gloves.
Author Miyako Kanamori is a crafter who lives in Tokyo. She is also the author of Sock and Glove. You can see more of her work at her website: bananawani.org/nuiguroom.
For more cute critters made from recycled materials, search “Recycled Softie“. Some examples plus a few other autumn-inspired creations can be seen in the related items below.

112 comments
Sign in to add your ownJustAnotherDay says:
seriously adorable! I may just have to try this out!
4 years ago
PhineasandLou says:
I love this...definitely a must try!
4 years ago
AutumnLeavesJewelry says:
I love this! Now I know what to do with my "one" gloves I have...awesome!!! thanks!
4 years ago
VirginiaRoseKane says:
Oh, now that is just too fun for words!
4 years ago
GrandmaWasAFloozy says:
AHHH!! I can't WAIT to try this!
4 years ago
bubbletime says:
Adorable!
4 years ago
annabeads says:
Charming!!!!!!
4 years ago
JustJaynes says:
So cute!
4 years ago
RaeGun says:
oh this is so so cute and awesome what a fun project
4 years ago
art4milkbones says:
I feel a chipmunk challenge coming on ..
4 years ago
botodesigns says:
oooo!! the cuteness! This is an awesome project. I have so many gloves missing their pair. I always wondered what to do with them. Now I know!
4 years ago
dalesdreams says:
Oh, my goodness, that is just too cute, what a most creative idea for recycling!
4 years ago
theartistscloset says:
Love the acorn earrings-sweet!
4 years ago
dogties says:
So cute! Love the chipmunks
4 years ago
theseasonalcottage says:
This brings back memories making these and sock monkeys when my boys were younger. Great piece!
4 years ago
SimplyShell says:
LOVE!
4 years ago
skiessoblue says:
I have so many old gloves!! That's so cute. I'll have to make one!!
4 years ago
Thinkoutsidethebox says:
The chipmunk is adorable and I love to see things repurposed...especially into something so cute and useful. Missbatch, your writing humor is fabulous. I really enjoyed your 'hook' paragraph...made me want to read on...
4 years ago
JeweledAmbrosia says:
Oh, I love this!
4 years ago
Yokoo says:
This is so fun! Such a great idea! Genius I tell you.
4 years ago
emmaray says:
I can't wait to try this - awesome!!!!
4 years ago
papermenagerie says:
this is the cutest ever! Great use for those dollar store gloves.
4 years ago
thedreamdom says:
Oh, way too cool! Must make this NOW.
4 years ago
GreenfieldSoaps says:
To cute! I have a black glove without a partner, I might just have to use this to turn him into a skunk :)
4 years ago
ReFabulous says:
I just love this! I can see making a few Christmas gifts like these.... ;)
4 years ago
rebeccaaccessories says:
He is super cute!! This will be my next weekend project!!
4 years ago
LoucheLab says:
Really cute! I'm holding myself back from destroying my winter gloves! yes, they are orange and will be perfect for this...
4 years ago
artwerx says:
So cute and clever!!
4 years ago
Bumblebeebaby says:
That's so cute I can't stand it!
4 years ago
CheeseAtFourpence says:
This is great, thanks so much for sharing it. I can see lots of chipmunk stocking fillers being made over the next few weeks...
4 years ago
Rockalicious says:
I've always wanted to try this out. Thanks for the article!!
4 years ago
ModFarmgirl says:
That's really cool! Thank you!!! I suppose if you had a lonely black glove, you could make yourself a little skunk friend!
4 years ago
cookiesandcreme says:
this i have to try..... so cute & looks like so much fun!!! thanks for the awesome idea!!!
4 years ago
THEHAUNTEDATTIC says:
THAT IS SOOOOO CUTE
4 years ago
FeltInspired says:
so very cool....(looks under bed for lone glove)...
4 years ago
shopgoodgrace says:
oh my... this is absolutely adorable! Fantastic directions. Thank you Miyako Kanamori and Penguin Group! (And to missbatch for sharing it as well.) :)
4 years ago
svillca says:
It's so cute, I'll try it! Great idea, thanks for sharing :D
4 years ago
BlackStar says:
How clever! and cute! Thanks for adding my earrings to the related items. :)
4 years ago
InfiniteCosmosGirl says:
ooooh! i love it! i'm going to make one for my daughter :-)
4 years ago
MeadowbelleVintage says:
So cute, why make just one--and who needs gloves when they can have glove ANIMALS?!? Seriously, a GREAT way to recycle gloves!! Looks like fun for everyone.
4 years ago
tinygreenapples says:
I Love it!! I'll have to try it!
4 years ago
DeborahVoizin says:
I just love this one! I can't wait to try to make one...or two!
4 years ago
designbynihan says:
I absolutely have to try it, soo cute!!!
4 years ago
BluCille says:
That's the cutest! I like the wooden nose.
4 years ago
perebags says:
adorable!!!! i'm totally trying this. What a fun Storque article!! Thanks!
4 years ago
madeofjacinta says:
sooo cute!!
4 years ago
symbelmynie says:
8D incredible!!! its so lovely
4 years ago
ALLthangsOLDbutNEW2u says:
This tutorial was really cool. I never though you could do that with just one glove. Thanks for sharing this. I will definatly try this soon.
4 years ago
imnotyrbabe says:
wow..nice tute ^^ thx for sharin ^^
4 years ago
AwApplesauce says:
Too cute! I make Boston Terrier glove dolls!
4 years ago
Piggy says:
Adorable!! Who would have thought that it used to be a glove :D
4 years ago
prairietree says:
Need to make one for my chipmunk collection! However it will alter my single glove collection.
4 years ago
Feltathome says:
absolutely fabulous
4 years ago
nfall2rt says:
So cute! How crafty, and great to recycle:)
4 years ago
PinkWaterFairy says:
This is brilliant, thank you for sharing :)
4 years ago
EJPcreations says:
This is one of the many reasons I truly love Etsy!
4 years ago
knittingmette says:
too cool! great idea! thx for sharing!
4 years ago
Dianecran says:
Off in search of orphaned gloves!
4 years ago
pumpkinhaus says:
hey! I was looking at that book last night at the bookstore!! very cute.. thanks for the tutorial.
4 years ago
Zahi says:
love the glove idea :)
4 years ago
kachingdesign says:
Aw... it's too cute!
4 years ago
ThePeachTree says:
You're killing me with this little guy!
4 years ago
reindeergirl says:
OMG, that is so completely ADORABLE!!! :) Thanks for this feature!!
4 years ago
theinkling says:
I'll try it right away!
4 years ago
JoyandWhimsy says:
So cute! Thanks Miss Batch.
4 years ago
wingsandfences says:
goodbye gloves, hello chipmunk :)
4 years ago
happydaystudio says:
Cute!!! I love this! :D
4 years ago
kittyd says:
Adorable!
4 years ago
bobnstitch says:
really great!
4 years ago
ElegantSnobbery says:
I am totally going to make one!! Or two or three or four. That is the cutest chipmunk ever!!
4 years ago
BellaMcBride says:
Fantastic directions! Thanks!
4 years ago
miraartz says:
Love it. Super cute
4 years ago
TheBrassHussy says:
how cute, I'll never look at a lonly lost glove the same again.
4 years ago
lacravatteduchien says:
So cute!!!
4 years ago
MyArtShoppe says:
Wow Amazing! And cute too! What a great rainy day craft project to do with a child ,how fun ; ]
4 years ago
julietaromano says:
great! very very original!
4 years ago
BouquetSpecialDesign says:
Love it. Good idea:)))
4 years ago
babypeasandcarrots says:
So cute, my kids would love making those!
4 years ago
DesignsbyChar says:
Cute, makes me want to go out and buy some gloves to try it out.
4 years ago
Kiie says:
Thank you so much for sharing this. So great of Etsy team to finally share some tutorial. :D I always wanted to make some sock toys. Soooo cute.. Thanks...*muaks*
4 years ago
connieb1953 says:
SOOOOOOO adoriable... can't wait to make them!
4 years ago
ColibriDreams says:
How cute is this! I might have to "lose" a glove just to try it1
4 years ago
dcmilkweed32 says:
Absolutely adorable! I love it! Thank you for sharing!
4 years ago
oldefrostfarm1780 says:
Oh my...C-u-t-e!!!!! liz
4 years ago
Ravenhill says:
How incredible! Thanks for sharing how to make this delightful little creature! ~Emily, an American in Norway
4 years ago
mojoandco says:
I love it! Someone is definitely getting a chipmunk for Christmas.
4 years ago
willabbydesigns says:
I am going to scavenge around my house for a spare glove right now! I can't wait to try this!!
4 years ago
cbarjcrafts says:
Oh this is SO cool! I have a zillion gloves that are missing their pallys. I am going to give this a go! :)
4 years ago
Enchanticals says:
I, sadly, was born without the gene for sewing on my DNA. But, I have been aching to make a sock monkey. I adore this glove chipmunk. And... I think I can go against nature and do this. By Jove, I know I can. Love this. Love this. Thank You! Tralalalalala
4 years ago
MyDarlingBaby says:
neat idea! lovely! goes good with a soap. :)
4 years ago
pouch says:
aww cute! might have to try and make one of these for my niece :)
4 years ago
BlueSkyStudios says:
That is tooo cute!
4 years ago
GoTo says:
Sweet!
4 years ago
zenimagery says:
How totally adorable are these! I have some little ones in my life...and adults too, that would love these!
4 years ago
AprilJennifer says:
This is just too cute!
4 years ago
twirler83 says:
THIS IS SO CUTE. My daughter and I are going to try this. Thanks for shiaring! :)
4 years ago
myhandmadecards says:
Cute....
4 years ago
iaiao says:
great idea! I'll put one in my live!
4 years ago
tinyspace says:
loving this!!!
4 years ago
LondonParticulars says:
Fantastic! Just like the Ikea Hackers...only with gloves!
3 years ago
HouseofHonore says:
Adorable! I can't wait to try this with my matchless gloves.
3 years ago
nomilktoday says:
great great great!!!!
3 years ago
MeganAlisa says:
Love it!! Can't wait to give it a try, thanks so much.
3 years ago
RossanaShoshana says:
So beautiful.great idea!
3 years ago
RossanaShoshana says:
So beautiful. Great idea.Thanks.
3 years ago
OnelifeRosen says:
great idea, love it :)
2 years ago
mmmcrafts says:
I know my kids will LOVE THIS. Thanks so much!
2 years ago
BettyRaige says:
I think this is graet I absolutly love reusing things! check out http://ecofreek.com or our facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/ecofreek/322156493642. I post all kinds of fun craft ideas for you and the kids! Happy crafting! love BettyR
2 years ago
jansew1 says:
I would sew on all the lines and then cut it apart, would be easy to keep the edges together
1 year ago
5erg says:
Very cute outcome, great idea too!
1 year ago
Samantha from srifowler says:
I love this idea! I think I'm going to take all of our mismatched gloves and have a "glove" party with my 5 year old!
1 year ago
angeline gonzalez says:
I'm useing dryer sheet insead of cotton as stuffing OMG smells sooo good
170 days ago