Handlebar Hand Warmers

The weather is getting colder, but our bike riding hasn't stopped! Sweaters or coats keep us warm, but little fingers get frozen in the wind, and all our gloves have a missing mate (please tell me this is normal).

So, to solve this problem, I made mittens that would stay on the handlebars of the bike and not get lost. You don't even have to search the house for gloves.... they're already right where you need them.

To make these handwarmers you will need:
1/4 yard of fleece (1/3 yrd if making for adult hands)
6 inches velcro (stick on, or sew on)
scissors
pins
measuring tape or ruler (not pictured, sorry)

Have you got your things together? Let's begin...

1. Fold up the length of the fabric 5-7 inches (depending on the height of the hand you are working with)

2. Have the person you are making these for extend their thumb, and place their hand onto the folded edge of the fabric along their thumb line. (see picture). Take a marker and draw a line around the hand, leaving about 1/2 inch space from the edge of the hand.

3. Cut along marked line. Place this cut piece along the folded edge and cut a second piece out. You should have 2 dome shaped pieces.

4. Now, fold the remainder of your fabric in half. Place one of your dome-shaped pieces along the folded edge. Take your measuring tape and draw a line 5 inches above the top of your dome-shaped piece. (6 inches if you are making this for an adult sized handlebar).

5. Draw a line perpendicular to make a rectangle, leaving 1/4 inch of space on either side of your dome-shaped piece. Cut out. Place this cut out piece along the folded edge of the fleece and use this outline to cut a second rectangular piece.

You should now have 2 rectangular pieces, and 2 dome-shaped pieces... all folded in half.

Now it's time to begin sewing

6. Take your rectangular piece (which should still be folded in half), and sew along the length of the longer edge. Repeat on the other side. Turn the piece right side out.

7. Take one piece of velcro and sew it (or stick it) close to the folded edge of your rectangle.

8. Flip the piece over and sew (or stick) the other piece of velcro 4 1/2 inches from the folded end of the rectangle. (5 1/2 inches if you are making this for an adult handlebar)

Now that your velco is on, you are ready to sew the handwarmer together, hooray!

9. Place the dome-shaped pattern on top of the rectangle. The folded edge should align with the top of the velcro strip. Pin

10. Sew around the raw edges, close to the edge.

11. Trim the edges by cutting close to your stich around the curve. Turn the glove part right side out.

Repeat these steps for your second handwarmer.
Now you have 2 funny looking gloves...

Wrap each one around your handlebar, slip your hand inside, and smile.... because now your hand is toasty warm!
I bet you can't make just 1 pair.