Crafting Baby Mittens: Transforming Socks Into Coziness

Baby mittens are essential to prevent babies from scratching themselves with their sharp nails. However, baby mittens are often lost easily, and some parents are uncomfortable with the idea of covering their babies' hands. As a result, many parents opt for using socks on their babies' hands as a substitute for mittens. This hack is especially useful for parents who want to avoid wasting money on baby mittens that will inevitably be lost. In addition, socks can be more effective at staying on babies' hands than mittens.

If you're interested in making your own baby mittens out of socks, there are several online guides that can help you get started. These guides recommend using old tube socks, scissors, and a needle and thread for sewing. The process involves cutting the elastic part off the sock, placing it on your hand, and cutting the space between the thumb and finger. Then, you sew the elastic part to the bottom of the mitten. This project is simple and perfect for beginner sewers, as it requires very little sewing.

Choosing the right socks

Type of Sock

Look for socks made with soft, comfortable fabrics that are gentle on your baby's skin. Cotton or cotton-blend socks are good options as they are breathable and absorbent. Avoid socks with scratchy or rough textures, as they may irritate your baby's delicate skin.

Size

Choose socks that are slightly larger than your baby's hands to allow for comfortable movement and growth. Ensure the socks are not too big, as you want them to stay securely on your baby's hands.

Elasticity

Select socks with elasticated cuffs or ribbing at the top. This feature will help the mittens stay put on your baby's hands and wrists, ensuring they don't slip off easily.

Colour and Pattern

Opt for socks with fun colours or patterns that appeal to you and your baby. Bright colours or interesting patterns can make the mittens more engaging for your little one and add a touch of personality to their wardrobe.

Condition

While this project is excellent for upcycling old socks, ensure the socks you choose are still in good condition. Avoid socks with holes or excessive wear and tear, as they may not provide sufficient warmth or protection for your baby's hands.

Number of Socks

Finally, remember that you will need two socks to make a pair of mittens. Ensure you have a matching pair or two socks in complementary colours or patterns.

Cutting the sock to size

The first step to making baby mittens out of socks is to prepare the sock. Take the sock and cut off the elastic part. Place the glove on your hand and cut the space between the thumb and finger. You can also use the sock as a guide to cut out the mitten part. Trace around your hand loosely, with your thumb sticking out, then cut the paper even bigger. Cut the fleece bigger than that. You will need four pieces in total, two for each hand.

Next, cut off the toe section of the sock. There is usually a seam along the toes that you can cut along. This will become the finger holes. Then, make a small cut of about 2cm into the heel section of the sock – this will be the thumb hole. Repeat this process for the other sock.

Now, decide how long you want the cuffs of your mittens to be and cut the sock to size. You can leave the cuffs a little longer so that they can be folded over. If you are using a patterned sock, make sure the pattern is straight before cutting.

Once you have cut the sock to size, you are ready to attach the sock to the mitten. Slip the sock inside the mitten so that the raw edges line up. Sew the bottom of the elastic part of the sock to the mitten. Stretch the sock to fit the mitten as you sew.

Cutting the mitten fabric

The most challenging part of this project is cutting the mitten fabric to the right size. First, have the child hold their fingers together loosely and stick their thumbs out. Trace around their hands loosely, then cut the paper out bigger than the outline. Cut the mitten fabric even bigger than the paper cut-out. You will need four pieces in total, two for each hand.

Cutting the fabric to the correct size is crucial, as the mittens will not fit otherwise. The first time I attempted this project, the mittens were too small because I did not cut out the fabric correctly.

Make sure to cut out two fronts and two backs if your fabric has different patterns on each side. Additionally, ensure that you cut the fabric for both hands at the same time to ensure they are the same size.

Once you have cut out the fabric pieces, you can proceed to the next step of assembling the mittens.

After cutting the mitten fabric, the next step is to cut the sock that will form the wrist cuffs. Decide how long you want the cuffs to be and cut the sock accordingly. For example, if you want foldable cuffs, cut the sock longer.

It is important to cut the fabric and sock pieces accurately to ensure a snug fit for the baby mittens.

Now, place the glove on your hand and cut the space between the thumb and finger. This will create the thumb hole for the mitten. Repeat this step for the other sock to prepare it for sewing.

Sewing the sock and mitten together

To sew the sock and mitten together, you will need a foot of thread, a needle, two old tube socks, and a pair of scissors. First, cut off the elastic part of the sock. Place the glove on your hand and cut the space between the thumb and finger. Place the elastic part of the sock on the mitten and sew the bottom to the mitten. Repeat the process for the other glove.

For the next steps, you will need four pieces in total, two for each hand. Cut the mitten part of the fleece to the right size. You can do this by tracing around your child's hand with their fingers held together loosely and their thumbs stretched out. Cut the paper out even bigger than your child's hand, and then cut the fleece even bigger than the paper. Make sure that if your fleece has different fronts and backs, you cut out two fronts and two backs.

Flip the mittens inside out and trim the wrist so that the mitten ends right under the palm of the hand. The sock will form the rest, so you don't want the fleece to get in the way. Decide on the desired length of the cuffs and cut off the rest of the sock.

Now, leaving the mitten wrong-side out, slip the right-side-out sock inside the mitten so that the raw edges line up. Stretch the sock to fit the mitten as you sew. Sew the cuff on, ensuring that you don't accidentally sew part of the opening closed. You can use a zig-zag stitch for added stretch, or a straight stitch, making sure to stretch the fleece and sock as you sew.

Turn the mittens right-side out, and you're done!

Trimming the wrist

• Flip the Mittens Inside Out: Before trimming, flip the mittens inside out so that the seams are visible. This will make it easier to access the wrist area and ensure a precise cut.
• Determine the Length: Decide how long you want the cuffs of the mittens to be. You can make them longer if you prefer to fold them over, or keep them shorter for a more snug fit.
• Trim the Wrist: Using a pair of sharp scissors, carefully trim the wrist area of the mitten. Cut the fleece or fabric so that it ends right under the palm of the hand. Make sure to leave enough fabric to create a comfortable cuff, but not too much that it gets in the way of the baby's hand.
• Try Them On: After trimming, have the baby try on the mittens to ensure a proper fit. The mitten should fit snugly, but not too tightly, and it should not restrict the baby's movement.
• Adjust as Needed: If the cuffs are too long or too short, adjust them accordingly. Fold over longer cuffs or trim them shorter, ensuring that the mittens are comfortable and functional.
• Finish the Seam: To create a neat finish, consider sewing or serging the trimmed edge of the wrist. This will prevent fraying and give the mittens a more polished look.

Remember to cut the fleece or fabric slightly larger than needed, as you can always trim it down further if necessary. It's better to start with a larger piece and gradually trim it to achieve the perfect fit. Additionally, if your fabric has a distinct front and back, make sure to cut out two fronts and two backs accordingly to maintain consistency.

Frequently asked questions