Upcycled Mittens from Unique Ewe

Jane Murphy Gale repurposes old sweaters for hands

Baby, it’s cold outside — and Joyce Murphy-Gale of Sunapee has the cure. Her handmade mittens are a combination of vintage sweaters for style and modern fleece for warmth.

Murphy-Gale designs the mittens, each a unique creation, from her “mountain” of materials on hand, including yard sale and thrift shop finds. Seems sweater sleeves make a nice cuff for the mittens, while the thumb piece and finger pockets are built with contrasting but coordinated knitwear. Occasionally, the underside of the left and right mitten use reversed materials to further that mixed-and-matched look.

Additional adornments include vintage buttons and maybe even the zipper from the previous incarnation of the now upcycled sweater.

The look is fun, each is different, and, as Gale says, they’re “made especially for ewe.”

Sizes for adults vary, so it’s best to try them on. Find them at the League of NH Craftsmen retail shops in Nashua, Littleton, the Hooksett Welcome Center-North, North Conway, Concord, Meredith and Hanover. Also find them in December only at the Library Arts Center, Newport. $58