by Jessi Wohlwend
Remember the little brown plaid, heart-shaped pocket hand warmers I posted a tutorial for a few weeks ago? Well I have a couple updates on that project for you. 🙂
First, I recently made a bunch more and decided to try filling them with whole kernel corn instead of rice or lentils. And it works WAY better! The corn holds the heat much longer than the rice or lentils, so if you want to make a pair for yourself, I suggest you use corn as a filler. You want whole kernel corn, not cracked corn, not popcorn…you can usually find it at feed stores or hunting stores (it’s used as chicken feed and as a deer attractant).
Second, I’ve had a couple requests to purchase a pair of these hand warmers. While that wasn’t my original intent with this project, I decided that’s something I can definitely offer. So the full tutorial is still available in the original post, but if you’d rather just have me make a pair or two for you, I’d be happy to! I’ll even bundle each pair up with a ribbon and a sheet of instructions so you can give them as gifts if you’d like! You can find them here in my Etsy shop.
The purpose of Practically Functional is to provide you with tips, tricks, and tutorials for fun and simple projects you can do. And I will definitely continue to post tutorials for all of my projects, but if you see one (now or in the future) that you love and would rather I create a duplicate for you, just let me know and I’ll see what I can do!
These little pocket hand warmers will make great stocking stuffers!
UPDATE: These hand warmers are now on sale!!! Use code 10OFF2PAIRS to get 10% off any purchase of two or more pairs, or use code 15OFF3PAIRS to get 15% off any purchase of three or more pairs! Coupon valid through 4/30/15.
If you want to purchase a pair of these little guys, you can do so here in my Etsy shop!
M says
Is any kind of fabric okay? I’ve read different instructions and some say certain fabrics will work and others say all kinds work, and some say only 100% cotton would work.
Jessi Wohlwend says
The only thing I would recommend against using is felt. I mention it in the original tutorial, but a lot of felt is polyester and that will melt in your microwave. I used a wool flannel to make mine, but be careful because flannel can also be made from a synthetic fiber. Just make sure you get something that isn’t polyester or a polyester blend and that will work fine!
Darlene says
I make a larger size and yes I also use them for warming the foot of my bed. One thing that really adds to this diy but cost almost nothing: I place my corn in a plastic zip bag with a few drops of essential oil for a few hours or overnight and the corn gets infused with the scent.(my fav is lavender) The scent really comes out when heated and is way better than the dried corn scent.
Jessi says
Brilliant Darlene! Thanks so much for the tip; I’m going to try scenting the next one I make!
Ginger says
So cute and so practical! <3
I'd love for you to come link up at my Show & Tell party. http://www.gingerlymade.com/2012/11/show-and-tell-3.html
Barbara says
These are adorable Jessi! Thanks for joining the party at Keep Calm and Link Up last week! See you again on Thursday night!
Barbara at Chase the Star
Amanda says
How great! These are an awesome project. Thanks for sharing at I Made It! Monday. Can’t wait to see what you link up this week.
Bonny @ thedomesticatedprincess.blogspot.com says
We saw some warming packs for your pockets at a store today, and my boys wanted them, but I was too cheap to buy them. Besides we live in Texas, so the need for these is very infrequent, so I was thrilled to find your post because now I can just make them some for those occasional chilly days. And these look much cuter than those one-time use ones anyway.
Betsy @ Romance on a Dime says
These are so cute!! Thanks for sharing.
Katherines Corner says
Jessi they are terrific. Thank you for clarifying the type of corn. Wouldn’t it be funny if I used popcorn, giggle. Thank you for linking to the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop. xo P.S>. I wish you many sales!
Jessi says
Thanks Katie! I’ll admit, even though I know (theoretically) that whole kernel corn won’t pop, I was a bit worried the first time I put a pair in the microwave! There were a few popping noises as some of the kernels split open, but apparently that’s normal and they warmed up just fine!
Winnie says
These are simply beautiful!
Wonderful idea, and I wish I could have them 🙂
Doreen says
Found your wonderful blog from Sundae Scoop’s linky party. I am so going to make these for my daughter and her roommates. They are on the east coast, and could really use a pair! I am now following, and look forward to catching up on your posts. Would love for you to come by for a visit at altered-artworks.blogspot.com
Love Notes Restyle Studio says
Love it! So cute! Will have to give these a go – thanks for the inspiration!
Creative Mama on a Dime says
I want my daughter to help make a few small Christmas gifts this year. These will be perfect for her grandparents who ski.
Seaweed & Raine says
Great idea using something with a greater mass to store the heat. I read a little while ago that in some parts of Europe they use cherry pits as fillers for heat pillows. Being that it’s almost summer here and I have a 5kg box of cherries, I’m working towards trying it! 🙂
Jessi says
Brilliant! Sounds like you have a delicious task ahead of you. 🙂
susie at earning-my-cape says
Very Cool! I love the idea of the corn, too! Pinned! 🙂
Melissa B says
These are so cute! =)
Following you from Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherines Corner!
Jessie says
So stinkin’ adorable! And a great price too 🙂 Thanks for sharing the tutorial as well.. I’m going to have to try some 🙂
Christina at I Gotta Create! says
I love this idea. What a great stocking stuffer! Pinning:)
<3 Christina at I Gotta Create!
Wildly Original linky party is open
Shannah @ Just Us Four says
Jessi – I LOVE my hand warmers. They were the perfect gift for my friend and I can’t wait to use my pair. Thank you so much 🙂
Jessi says
Yay, I’m so glad you like them!!!
Donna says
These are great little stocking stuffers. Thanks for sharing!
Donna @onceuponasewingmachine.com
Leslie Stewart says
These are so cute and a great gift idea! Thanks for sharing them at my party at House on the Way! Have a great week!
Leslie
Laurie @ Simply Creating Home says
What fun little warmers and a great gift, too!
Stefanie W says
So cute! Great stocking stuffer idea.
Erin says
I love these! You’re right that they would make great stocking stuffers