Crochet Projects: More Glittens, and Lining tutorial

This has perhaps been my most popular crochet project!  I first blogged about it here, and have made 8 pairs of these mittens now!  I made a pair for my mother-in-law for her birthday in December, this time adding a flannel lining.  This helped to keep out the wind and it made the inside much softer (the wool can tend to be a bit scratchy).  When I showed off this pair at work, I received three orders from coworkers!  Here are some photos of those, plus a brief explanation of how I did the lining (sorry no photos of that).

How to sew a glitten lining:

1. Buy 1/4 to 1/3 yard of flannel fabric.

2. Trace pattern pieces.  You will be making a lining for the main hand and thumb, and another one for the flippy finger cap.  Lay glitten on a plain sheet of paper.  Trace from the base of the fingers to the bottom of the cuff, across the cuff, then back up the other side (around the thumb).  Add 1/4 inch all the way around, and add 1/2 inch to both the finger edge and the bottom cuff edge (you will turn these up later for a nice finished edge).  Then trace the shape of the finger cap, adding 1/4 inch around the curved part, and 1/2 inch along the straight bottom.

3. Pin your pattern pieces to the fabric.  Double the fabric, then pin the pattern piece on the bias (diagonally).  This will give the lining the most stretch, making it easier to slip your hand in.  Cut through both layers, then repin the pattern piece and cut another two-layer piece.  This will give you two identical pieces for each mitten.

4. Sew the pieces.  With right sides together, sew both side seams of the main hand pieces at 1/4 inch seam.  It might get a little tricky around the thumb.  Just do your best.  Do not flip the piece inside out - it's already right-side out!  This might seem a bit backwards, but once you put the lining into the glove you'll understand.  Trim the seam so it's not so bulky.  Now fold the top and bottom edges 1/2 inch to the outside and sew around the openings to hold the fold in place, about 1/4 inch from the edge.  For the finger cap, sew around the whole curved edge, then fold up the bottom edge 1/2 inch and sew that too.

5. Sew the lining into the glitten. Put the lining on your hand like you're wearing it, then slide on the glove.  You might have to stick your other hand into the finger holes to pull up the lining.  Gently take the glove off.  I just used my sewing machine to sew the lining and glove together around the cuff opening, using the longest stitch I could.  If it bothers you, you can flip the glove inside out and tack down the lining by the base of the fingers too.  For the finger cap, just use your machine to sew around the opening at about 1/8 inch from the lining edge.  Be careful not to catch the fingers in your seam.

I know this is quite confusing without photo directions.  Perhaps the next pair I make (a pair for me, finally!), I will be better about taking pictures.  If you have any questions, feel free to ask!