I have been sewing and crafting for over forty years. I studied clothing and textiles as well as fashion merchandising in college. I have over ten years experience working in fashion retail. I enjoy the creative challenge of giving new life to wool sweaters by combining different prints, colors and textures to make something unique, beautiful and practical.
My mittens are constructed from high quality recycled wool sweaters that have been felted to provide a natural wind and water resistant barrier against the cold. Like snowflakes, no two pair are exactly alike. I designed the pattern myself eliminating the bulk at the wrist and attaching both the mitten and the lining to the cuff. I wanted the cuff to be snug, keep the cold out and fit inside a coat sleeve comfortably. I have spent most of my life in northern Utah and appreciate warm hands while outside in freezing temperatures.
I purchase my sweaters from thrift stores and wash them in hot water and dry them with high heat. They shrink and the fibers soften and felt together making them perfect for my projects. I use high quality 100% wool sweaters and each sweater felts differently. (Occasionally, I allow for a small percentage of man made fiber if the pattern and/or color is exceptional.) I carefully select my sweaters for their beautiful patterns and colors and try to maintain them through the felting process. I hand cut each piece being careful that the patterns will be centered and match when constructed. My mittens should be hand washed with warm water and air-dried to keep them as they look and fit when purchased. I like that by shopping at thrift stores, I am able to purchase and use items that are kept out of landfills, while providing jobs and training to those in need in my community. Nothing thrills me more than finding an amazing sweater that has seen better days and picturing it as the perfect pair of mittens. My Etsy shop has allowed me to to develop and share my talents with customers all over the world, while being a stay at home mom and working around the needs of my family.
My hand warmers have been featured in the Autumn 2015 GreenCraft Magazine.
My mittens have been featured in Country Living Magazine's Holiday gift guide here:
http://www.countryliving.com/homes/shopping/etsy-recycled-sweater-wool-mittens#slide-18
and were picked by Verily Magazine as one of Etsy's best cozy winter accessories here:
http://verilymag.com/etsy-winter-accessories-knitwear/
My warm woolen mittens are sure to be one of your favorite things this winter!