craftgrrl: Hand warmers!

sonnetofthemoon (

sonnetofthemoon) wrote in

craftgrrl,
@ 2007-10-03 10:14:00

Hand warmers!
Hey everyone. It’s cooling off here in Minnesota and in anticipation of another frigid winter, I’ve been making hand warmers for my friends and family.

These are made with two layers of cotton fabric and are filled with flax seed. The finished size is about 3”x5”.

bees!

I decided to try out the flax seed after reading though the memories here. A lot of people were annoyed with rice-filled packs because of the smell when heated and recommended flax seed because it doesn’t smell.

I’ve found, though, that it does have a smell and not a pleasant one. Could I possibly be using the wrong type of flax (organic, golden flax seed) or am I just really sensitive to the scent it gives off? Is anyone else not a fan of the scent? Does anyone like it? I’d like to give these to people but not if they’ll hate the smell.

I haven’t experimented with putting things like lavender or cinnamon sticks inside but maybe that will help. Or maybe it’ll smell like a sinister combination of cinnamon and gross flax seeds.

Anyway, I just thought I’d share since I’ve been lurking for a while and love seeing everything everyone else posts. Any comments or advice would be more than welcome.

Customize

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	lilyprodigious 2007-10-03 04:10 pm UTC (link)
	is there a tutorial somewhere? I'm at Cornell where winters are rumored to be vicious, and I could grab some fabric when I go home next weekend and make some for my friends and me (and maybe I'm being arrogant but they don't loo too complicated.) Thanks! (Reply to this)(Thread)

sonnetofthemoon
2007-10-03 04:27 pm UTC (link)

You're right, these were super easy! I'm not sure about a tutorial (I just sort of made it up as I went along) but the easiest way I could think of was this:

-cut a piece of cotton fabric 6"x7" (I actually used two layers of fabric because it made the warmers feel sturdier)
-fold in half (make sure the right side of the fabric is now on the inside)
-sew along the edge parallel to the fold to make a tube
-turn the tube right side out
-fold in the open ends (approx 1/2"), iron the whole thing and sew one end (approx 1/4" inch away from edge)
-fill with 1/2 cup flax seed
-sew the other end (I pinned it closed before sewing so the seeds didn't spill out)

-heat one pair for 30 seconds or a single warmer for 20-25 seconds
-put in a coat pocket for walks in the snow or use it wherever!

(Reply to this)(Parent)

	marajane01 2007-10-03 05:30 pm UTC (link)
	cornell college or university? (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	mujercaliente 2007-10-03 06:48 pm UTC (link)
	Not the OP but your questions makes me wonder if you're from Iowa too? (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	marajane01 2007-10-03 06:50 pm UTC (link)
	ahh I am! I never thought there were other people from Iowa on here :P (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	mujercaliente 2007-10-03 06:52 pm UTC (link)
	Haha there definitely are! I'm in Iowa City and I know of at least 2 other people from Iowa who are craftgrrls! (Reply to this)(Parent)

	lilyprodigious 2007-10-03 09:05 pm UTC (link)
	university. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	lilyprodigious 2007-10-03 09:06 pm UTC (link)
	my best friend is at cornell college though! (Reply to this)(Parent)

	isisabove 2007-10-03 04:17 pm UTC (link)
	Overall I liked the flax seed too. Thats the same kind I used, and I noticed a smell too. But I added some spearmint leaves, I love mint smells, and it covered it up. They smell great. I havent tried lavender or cinnamon since I dont really like those though. They look great by the way. (Reply to this)(Thread)

	sonnetofthemoon 2007-10-03 05:08 pm UTC (link)
	Thank you. I love the way the flax feels...much slipperier than rice. Thanks for the recommendation, I'll definitely try the spearmint leaves. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	mercy_mile 2007-10-04 05:36 pm UTC (link)
	hmmm, I'll have to use that idea. I'm 9 months pregnant (due Nov.10) and one of the suggestions that our childbirth class instructor made was to have a rice sock to warm for our backs. She also said that lavender is a soothing aroma for pregnant women giving birth. I may just have to do this for when I go. (Reply to this)(Parent)

drowningmermaid
2007-10-03 04:23 pm UTC (link)

I made a giant sized one for when I have my monthly cramps. I filled it partly with rice and partly with flax seed, added a little eucalyptus oil (for headaches) and lavender (relaxation) and then accidentally dumped almost my entire vial of peppermint in because it didn't have the dropper in properly.

When I heated it in the microwave, I smelled the flax and rice, even through the seriously overpowering mint smell.

I've never thought about actual cinnamon sticks before, that's a good idea. Maybe. I'd assume so. Your fabric choices are adorable too. I never thought of making them hand sized for pockets. You're clever.

(Reply to this)(Thread)

sonnetofthemoon
2007-10-03 06:17 pm UTC (link)

Thanks! I'm having so much fun picking out fabrics from my stash. I bought them for quilting but, well, that didn't happen and they're just sitting there, all lonely and bored. I figured that using a little bit wouldn't hurt. I'll probably make a pair out of every quilting fabric I own...hmmm...that sounds a little obsessive. Oh well.

I'd really love to make a huge one for my back and neck (I get tension headaches). I laughed when I read about your peppermint mishap. Sounds like something that would happen to me. Too bad it didn't cover the flax/rice smell...that's so odd. Anyway, thanks for the good ideas!

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

drowningmermaid
2007-10-03 08:32 pm UTC (link)

Sure thing. The eucalyptus oil was for my tension headaches too. I wake up with them and no drug will make them go away, but I've found that just taking a long whiff of the oil makes things a little less DOOM-y.

One of these days I'll hit up the doc for a remedy, or go see the dentist to get fitted for a mouthguard so I stop grinding my teeth and clenching my jaw.

Stupid tension. Grr.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

sonnetofthemoon
2007-10-03 09:10 pm UTC (link)

I get tension headaches only on my right side (from using my mouse at work). Even after switching to left-handed mouse a year ago, I still get them (I use my right hand for crafts...sigh). I'm definitely going to try the eucalyptus oil!

My doctor told me to stretch and, if I wanted to, take a migraine medicine every day. I decided against the meds.

Headaches in the morning suuuck! Definitely try the mouthguard. I should try one too, just in case it helps. Stupid tension!

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

drowningmermaid
2007-10-03 09:16 pm UTC (link)

I have one mouthguard that I got from Target. It's a DenTek one that you fit to yourself, but it's only for the top teeth. I think in the night, I get pissed and spit it out, because every morning, I've got to go on a search and rescue mission.

I definitely get a lot of my tension headaches from computer. Bad posture, right handed mouse-ing and who knows what else... more than 2 hours on the computer and my life is misery.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	sonnetofthemoon 2007-10-03 09:24 pm UTC (link)
	Search and rescue...hilarious! I'm sure the real trays are much harder to spit out. I assume they're similar to custom whitening trays...they're really tight and I only pried mine out once. That whitening gunk tastes gross. Victims of tension headaches unite! My boss has no sympathy...she has no idea how much they suck. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	drowningmermaid 2007-10-03 09:27 pm UTC (link)
	Punch her in the brain stem and watch how sensitive she gets. People like that bug the crap out of me. "if your head hurts, why don't you take something for it?" because drugs don't touch it, asshole. Thanks. Arrgh. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

sonnetofthemoon
2007-10-04 01:28 pm UTC (link)

My boss especially likes to ask if I've "taken anything for it". Isn't that the most idiotic question ever? If taking meds worked, don't you think I would? And if taking meds didn't work, don't you think I'd still probably try it? And if they still didn't work, well then, screw off, idiot.

Haha...ok, I'm just a little sensitive about it all. Tension headaches get no respect because they're not migraines. People fear the migraine because they've heard they're so horrible. Not tension headaches...my boss just tells me I need to relax...but then doesn't want to let me go home sick from work. Stupid.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	drowningmermaid 2007-10-04 07:33 pm UTC (link)
	My husband does the same thing to me, even though he knows the meds don't work. I do the same thing to him. I think it's just nature to ask. I lie and tell people my tension headaches are migraines. Generally, they turn into one anyway. They're just as incapacitating. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	drowningmermaid 2007-10-03 09:30 pm UTC (link)
	Also, I've decided that I like 'ye. So I'm addin' 'ye. So you know. :-D (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	sonnetofthemoon 2007-10-04 01:36 pm UTC (link)
	Sweet! I like you too. You're so added. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	frankcheez 2007-10-03 05:52 pm UTC (link)
	::blushes:: I like the way rice bags smell when heated. Bummer the flax stinks - I've never smelled it. I think they look great though! :) (Reply to this)(Thread)

sonnetofthemoon
2007-10-03 06:27 pm UTC (link)

I like the rice smell too. :)

After I read the memories, though, everyone made flax sound so good that I had to try it. I really do like it (the feel is awesome) and the smell isn't disgusting or anything...it's just that if I were going to buy one of these from a store and I smelled a heated one, I think I'd probably want to save my money for something better.

And thank you...they're really fun to make and will definitely come in handy this winter, both outside and at work (the office is always freezing!).

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	drowningmermaid 2007-10-03 08:33 pm UTC (link)
	You know... I've read that if you put field corn in them, it holds the heat longer and feels great. (you can get it at a feed store or buy it in pet stores as well as finding it in abundance this time of year on the cob). I haven't tried it yet, but am going to once I pull it off the cob (because that's what we happen to have). (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	sonnetofthemoon 2007-10-03 09:18 pm UTC (link)
	I guess a trip to the feed store is in the cards this weekend...if I can find one. There have been so many good suggestions for "fillings"...I wonder which one I'll like the best! (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

ironkit
2007-10-04 01:22 am UTC (link)

Fleet Farm sells feed corn. I noticed you're in Minneapolis: if you want to support a local place and like Stillwater, there's one on Hwy 36 (okay, the frontage road) at Keets? on the way in to Stillwater, then once you hit downtown Stillwater coming from 36, there's one on your right at the first stoplight. The one on the way in to Stillwater starts with an H and will be on your lefthand side.

***

I'm lurving the bee fabric, and the idea of handwarmers. I may have to borrow your idea for handwarmers for when the snow hits and I have to scrape my car windows in the morning.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

sonnetofthemoon
2007-10-04 01:48 pm UTC (link)

Great, thanks for the tip and the directions. Maybe my boyfriend and I could go apple picking this weekend and stop at the store while we're in Stillwater. What a fun day that would be!

I bought some corn that was still on the cob last night and it popped in the microwave! I smashed some with a hammer and tried again but the pieces just burned. Then my house smelled like burned popcorn for hours! Darn it.

I'll have to try some proper feed corn this weekend. The kind I got probably wasn't dry enough.

And thanks...I bought as much of that bee fabric as I could find (only a yard...sob). It's supposed to become a quilt some day but that day is a long time off. I saw online that some people made flax seed mitten-type things and slippers. There are so many possibilities!

(Reply to this)(Parent)

	caelista 2007-10-03 06:51 pm UTC (link)
	Handwarmers are a good idea. That honeybee fabric is so cute! I don't have a microwave, so I wonder if these little warmers or neck pillows could be heated on low in the oven. Hmmm... (Reply to this)(Thread)

sonnetofthemoon
2007-10-03 07:11 pm UTC (link)

Thank you! They don't stay warm forever like the bigger warmers but they're so convenient!

Also, think about all the places that do have microwaves: work, school, gas stations...ok, so that's not that many but still... :)

I think I'm going to warm mine before I leave home/work so when I get into my cold car, at least one hand at a time can be warm!

I don't know about the oven...I assume it would work but would definitely take longer than 30 seconds. :(

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	acidtrix 2007-10-03 07:34 pm UTC (link)
	i've seen some at the pharmacy that recommended wrapping them in tinfoil and heating them in the oven on the lowest setting for about 15min. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	caelista 2007-10-03 08:09 pm UTC (link)
	Ten minutes wouldn't be too bad. I guess tinfoil would keep the fabric from getting scorched, too. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	caelista 2007-10-03 08:08 pm UTC (link)
	True, it would take a while and I'd be worried about the fabric scorching. Too bad, because my kids like those little heat packs that you "snap" and they get warm, but I'd much rather give them something like this. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	forrent 2007-10-03 07:09 pm UTC (link)
	The cinnamon sticks works but it feels weird (like theres a stick in a flax seed pillow... go figure) I like the powder better but it can somtimes stain the fabric (depending on the fabric), if you like the smell vanilla or almond extract (in liquid form) work really well and crunched up sage leaves work nicely too. (Reply to this)(Thread)

	sonnetofthemoon 2007-10-03 07:18 pm UTC (link)
	Ooo...vanilla! I didn't even think of that. Almond would definitely be nice too. Yeah, the whole stick-in-a-flax-seed-pillow would be a little odd. Maybe tiny chunks would work well...I wonder if the food processor could do that sort of thing. Anyway, thanks for the advice and the great ideas. I have so many new things to try! (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	forrent 2007-10-04 02:00 am UTC (link)
	Good luck!! (Reply to this)(Parent)

	qaryn 2007-10-03 08:06 pm UTC (link)
	I know some peolple use oats. I've used oat bags in veterinary clinics to warm patients up after surgery, and I don't remember them smelling at all! I don't think you can use the rolled oats, though - it has to be the raw kind that's used in horse feed... (Reply to this)(Thread)

	sonnetofthemoon 2007-10-03 09:12 pm UTC (link)
	Haha...I was thinking "I know where the oats are at the store!" but yeah, I was thinking rolled oats. I'll look into the raw stuff...thanks for the idea! (Reply to this)(Parent)

	danelover18 2007-10-03 08:35 pm UTC (link)
	I was just researching these things I read that a great alterative is deer corn (found at garden and farm stores like TSC) because it holds heat really well and is pretty inexpensive. Plus it has a faint popcorn smell. I'm intriuged because these would make great christmas gifts. Hrmm. . . . . (Reply to this)(Thread)

	sonnetofthemoon 2007-10-03 09:14 pm UTC (link)
	Mmmm...popcorn smell. I'll definitely give this a try! Everyone I know is getting a pair of these! Even the people at work. They're going to be my guinea pigs. It's fun to pick out fabric that each person would like. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	danelover18 2007-10-04 01:04 am UTC (link)
	I know. And I'm such a fabric whore too. LOL! (Reply to this)(Parent)

bubbledragon
2007-10-08 12:10 am UTC (link)

I also suggest deer/feed corn - it's about the right time for it, too. I got a really large bag of this at walmart one year. Also, I've read studies where it's one of the safer things to use in heat pads. Rice gets mouldy, flax seed has so much oil in it that it's prone to explosion, etc. It's just not as comfortable with the big kernels for such cute, small hand packs.

I lurv your fabrics, too. Thanks for the post!

(Reply to this)(Parent)

	dizzy_misslizzy 2007-10-03 09:27 pm UTC (link)
	I made one with lentils inside, and it does smell a bit food-y, but it's not very strong. And I added whole cloves to it, which makes a smell I like. The only thing is I should have picked off the sharper bits of the cloves as they used to poke through now and again. But once I broke the hot pillow in, they weren't a problem anymore. :D (Reply to this)(Thread)

	sonnetofthemoon 2007-10-04 01:56 pm UTC (link)
	Mmmm...cloves would be awesome! Thanks for the tip about the pokey bits...I never would have thought of that. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	trainspotgirl 2007-10-04 01:19 am UTC (link)
	I've used wheat berries before. they hold heat and smell like baking bread as well. (Reply to this)(Thread)

	sonnetofthemoon 2007-10-04 01:58 pm UTC (link)
	I've never heard of wheat berries...where do you find them? Baking bread would be a fantastic smell for hand warmers! Thanks for the idea. (Reply to this)(Parent)

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