How to line mittens?

[chixdilla]

I knit my boyfriend some standard mittens; ends are woven in and they've been blocked. But now he's asking if I could line them with some fleece fabric. Is there a proper way to do this? Or can I just trace around the mitten shape onto the fleece, cut out the panels, sew them together and shove it into the mittens and hand-sew around the wrist?

[GrumpyGramma]

Are the mittens really loose? There would need to be room for fleece linings.
Fleece that I'm familiar with is machine wash and dry. Unless the mittens are also, you might not want the linings permanently attached. Otherwise, your method sound OK to me. Others may know better.

[justplaincharlotte]

I'm with GG on needing the room for fleece. Like her I don't see why your idea can't work.

If there is little room for fleece, you may want to consider using preshrunk cotton, and in addition to sewing at the cuff you may also want to tack the lining in place at the thumb join to keep the lining from turning inside out when the mittens are washed.

Also, have your BF try the lining on before you sew it in to make sure it fits his hand, or better yet, trace his hand for the lining pattern as the mittens stretch, yes?

Just my 2 cents, and let us know how your combo knitting/sewing project turns out. Can't wait to hear how this works out for you...

[GrumpyGramma]

...in addition to sewing at the cuff you may also want to tack the lining in place at the thumb join to keep the lining from turning inside out when the mittens are washed.

Thanks, Charlotte, I thought of that later. In fact, I think I'd tack at the end of the thumb and fingers also so it doesn't turn wrong side out when he takes them off.

[justplaincharlotte]

Thanks, Charlotte, I thought of that later. In fact, I think I'd tack at the end of the thumb and fingers also so it doesn't turn wrong side out when he takes them off.

Good idea, GG!

I only thought of it because of a store bought pair of knitted half gloves that were lined but the lining was only tacked at the wrist. These were lined to hide fair isle floats.

The lining came undone, turned itself inside out and wadded up in the floats. When I didn't get my fingers caught in the floats putting them on, my hand had a hump worthy of the Hunchback of Notre Dame!


Needless to say they've been consigned to the trash bin.

[chixdilla]

Thanks guys! The mittens are pretty loose-fitting so I don't think I'd have a problem fitting the fleece in there. I think I'll go ahead and try tracing around his hand instead of the mitten. I already bought the fabric, but I have no idea what its fiber content or care instructions are. It was some mystery fabric that was on sale. Since the mitten yarn is hand wash only, I figured I'd just hand wash it anyway.

As far as the tacking goes, should I use regular thread? Or can I use yarn? Don't know how that would work.

[Jan in CA]

If he needs warm mittens maybe next time you can make him some thrummed mittens!
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sear...free&sort=best

[chixdilla]

Whoah, those are crazy!

[Jan in CA]

My friend made some for her husband and they are super warm! I would love to try these some day! Are they not the cutest things ever?!
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...bunny-slippers

[justplaincharlotte]

Thanks guys! The mittens are pretty loose-fitting so I don't think I'd have a problem fitting the fleece in there. I think I'll go ahead and try tracing around his hand instead of the mitten. I already bought the fabric, but I have no idea what its fiber content or care instructions are. It was some mystery fabric that was on sale. Since the mitten yarn is hand wash only, I figured I'd just hand wash it anyway.

Handwashing sounds like the perfect plan for the perfect mystery fabric!

As far as the tacking goes, should I use regular thread? Or can I use yarn? Don't know how that would work.

I'd go with matching sewing thread if the fabric is fairly dense, and maybe yarn attaching the lining at the cuffs, maybe in blanket stitch. Just thinking out loud... YMMV.