D20 Dice Hand Warmers

Welcome Dungeons and Dragons fans, Dice Goblins, and family members that don't know what to get that weird cousin that just keeps talking about dice. This instructable is the place to be if you need a simple small gift that shows you've tried to find something in their realm of liking, but maybe don't know what exactly to get. Or maybe you yourself are a dice goblin that gets chilled easily and just need something to keep those hands toasty between looting dungeons in these cold winter months. Either way, carry on to find out how I made some cute little Dice hand warmers.

Pretty standard sewing objects will be used.

• Paper and pen- Can be scraps, only used for pattern making
• Fabric- if you're making hand warmers, make sure it is 100% cotton...you don't want to heat up acrylic
• Needle and thread- or sewing machine, whichever you're more comfortable with.
• Embroidery Floss and needle- this will be for the detailing and number, I like a contrasting color.
• Rice- just regular white rice is great.

A basic understanding of embroidery stitches is helpful for this project, but every stitch used can be picked up pretty easily. A quick google of any stitches you don't know should bring up some handy tutorials (better tutorials than I can post quick here).

Trace a circle, slightly bigger than you want your hand warmers, I used a glass that is ~4.25" in diameter.

Fold your circle in half a few times to find the center.

Once found, fold your circle in half and then in thirds, make sure these fold all convene on the center you found previously or your dice will be lopsided.

Cut straight across the open edge of your folded piece of paper to make a triangle.

Open to reveal a pretty satisfactory hexagon.

This will be the shape of your D20 die.

To create the details draw lines connecting three alternating points of the hexagon. Then a smaller triangle in the middle connecting the middles of your first set of lines. Then small lines going off the small triangle points, out to the left over hexagon points. (please see picture provided if possible)

This will be your pattern for a D20.

Cut two shapes for each die.(I'm making two)

I recommend drawing the dice design lines onto the "bad" side of your fabric and embroidering from there. One thing to note if drawing your pattern on the wrong side, numbers will have to be drawn backwards. Also be aware that bleed through may happen so choosing a water soluble marker or a color closer to your fabric is always a good idea, but also most of your stitches will cover bleed through.

For one die I measured out about 3' of embroidery thread and split the thread in half, to have 3 strands each instead of 6. I think I needed a little over 3' for the 20 side and right around 3' for the 1 side. These measurements are only for the design part, you will need more thread to stitch it up. If your tread is bunchy after splitting, run it through your fingers from one end to the other until it is smooth.

After drawing all my lines in I used a basic running stitch to embroider my lines on the fabric. For the numbers I used a backstitch to fill them in completely, a little more advanced split stitch also works well for the numbers.

I did not knot my thread when embroidering the design, instead just wove the ends in at start and finish.

Once your design is on, you will want to pin together two pieces of fabric, right side out and stitch around the edge with another running stitch, leaving one side open. I like to pin only the other 5 sides shut to remind me to stop. Sewing the edges together took me a little over 3' of thread for both my dice, again splitting the thread to have 3 strands.

If you prefer your sewing machine use that here instead.

I knotted my thread to start and tied it off at the end.

Make sure not to make your stitches tight or rice will try to escape, tug your yarn taught after each side.

Rice time!

I tried using a kitchen funnel to fill and it did not work well, the rice continuously got jammed. I recommend just wrapping a sheet of paper into a funnel and scooping around 2 big spoonfuls of dry (NOT instant) rice into the fabric. You do not want to completely fill your fabric, as it will then be hard to sew shut. Leave enough space to comfortably pinch the opening shut.

Once full, continue with a running stitch to close up the last side, stitching over your starting place a few stitches and tie off to close.

That's all there is to it!

To heat throw in the microwave for 10-20 seconds, depending on your microwave and how warm you want them.

D20 handwarmers can easily be mad into ornaments instead, by following steps 1-3 using felt(or any other material), you may want to pick a smaller diameter for ornaments, 2.5" works well.

Following step 3, stitch all the way around and tuck the tail into your ornament. Cut a length of ribbon or embroidery thread long enough to go around your wrist and thread your needle. Using the needle, loop your thread, into your ornament and under the top stitch, going around the stitch and back out the top.

Tie off your loop, swivel to tuck the knot and tail into your ornament and go hang it on your tree.