You can turn orphan gloves, or old pairs your kids have grown out of, into these adorable and quirky soft toys. They’re quick and easy but, be warned – it’s also highly addictive. You may find yourself buying more gloves to meet demand!

This cute bunny girl began life as two ordinary gloves – and she doesn’t mind a bit that they’re not a pair. With simple stitches, a little stuffing and a few embellishments, she’ll bring a big smile to a small face.

To make this little jellyfish, you need only one glove. With the glove inside out, stitch a straight line from the cuff edge directly to the base of the forefinger. Cut off the thumb. Turn the glove right side out, stuff firmly and pull the cuff edges together. Stitch securely. Decorate with a button for the nose, rick-rack for the mouth, feathers for hair and goggle eyes.

To make this funny fellow, use a similar method to Bunny Girl, but only stitch and cut off the middle fingers from one glove. With the other glove, stuff and attach the cut-off thumb as a nose. Add a ribbon bow tie and use red rick-rack for the mouth.

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CRAFT: Make your own bangles

Bunny girl
Gather your supplies

• 2 knitted-fabric gloves
• Polyester fibre fill
• Felt scraps

You’ll also need

Sewing thread and needle; scissors; embroidery cotton in pink for the mouth, black for the nose and white for around face; goggle eyes; craft glue; small amount marabou feather boa (optional)

Here’s how
STEP 1 Turn gloves inside out. Pin, then stitch each glove (by hand or machine) across base of middle and ring fingers, leaving outer fingers intact. Then stitch a straight line from cuff edge directly down to base

of forefinger.

Step 2 Cut off thumb and 2 middle fingers from each glove. Do not discard.

Step 3 Turn gloves right side out and stuff each firmly with fibrefill, pushing stuffing into finger holes to create bunny legs and ears. Pull cuff of top (head) piece over cuff of lower (body) piece, then sew them securely together.

Step 4 Cut out a felt circle for face, then stitch to front of head piece, using blanket stitch (see Stitch Guide, left). Glue or sew goggle eyes in place, and embroider a simple nose in satin stitch and mouth in back stitch. (If this toy is for a baby, all features should be embroidered.)

Step 5 Stuff 2 cut-off fingers, pull together open edges and sew them firmly in place for arms. Stuff and sew thumb or third finger as a tail, if desired.

Step 6 Wrap a little feather boa around bunny’s neck, securing with a few stitches. You can stuff any leftover fingers and turn them into baby rabbits – use scraps of felt for ears and arms.

Photography: Michelle Young
Styling: Chantal Davison