Keeping the frostbite at bay this winter

Fingers and toes are always the first to feel the cold when the temperature drops. I don't switch the heating on untill I am half frozen with icicles hanging off my nose, even then it is on very low. It's easy to save money by delaying flicking the switch and putting on extra clothes, including socks, scarf, hat and gloves. All well and good if you want to sit on the sofa and watch tele, but what if you want to keep busy with your hands, maybe some sewing or knitting, or surfing the net. Almost impossible if you are wearing gloves.

You could get some fingerless gloves, or even knit a pair yourself, but sometimes I feel that even those get in the way. I've ended up stitching my gloves onto the piece I've been working on when I haven't been concentrating, ha ha. Gloves without any fingers would be better, so I've made myself a pair of hand and wrist warmers, ready for the winter.

I have this small childs hoodie, age 3 to 6 months, bought for 25p from a charity shop. I had it in mind to make something with it at the time I bought it. I suppose I could always give it to a family with a small child, there's nothing wrong with it, which proves that all childrens clothing can be bought at charity shops, kids don't know it's second hand. Anyway, here goes, I'm going to take the scissors to this.

Cut the sleeves off like this.

Make a single hem all around the edge. Hand sew it. The stitches shouldn't come through to the front if you use fleecy fabric and use the same colour cotton.

Next, with the seam on the side of the little finger, pinch together back and front, and put a few stitches in it to hold it together.

And there you are, toasty warm hands with your fingers and thumbs sticking out which allow you to carry on with your hobbies.

If you are using the computer the thickness of the fleece acts as a cushion to make it more comfortable for your wrists.

Now I've got to think of something to make from the rest of the hoodie.

I'm on the little computer tonight, my big one has been invaded by gremlins. I've sent an SOS to the lovely Mark, my computer fixer. Help Mark, I need you. Toodle pip.