12 Crafts of Christmas: Day 10 - Polar Bear Hand Warmer

With chillier temperatures setting in we are all looking for little ways to keep warm. These sweet hand warmers can go in the microwave and will take the edge off the chill for younger and older hands alike. Send us your photos or tag us on Instagram: @CotswoldCurtains #CC12CraftsOfChristmas 

You will need: 

Printed paper pattern (download here) 
Fabric for polar bear (we suggest jersey, felt, cotton or wool, but nothing metallic!)
Embroidery threads
30g uncooked rice
Essential oils, if desired

Method:

Cut out the paper templates and then place on white fabric to cut around. 

Place two body pieces together and stitch around the edges, inside-out, leaving a small gap to fill with rice. 

Turn the fabric the right way around and fill with rice. If you would like your hand warmers to be scented, you can either replace some of your rice with dried lavender, or add a few drops of essential oil to the rice before you put it in. 

Turn over the seams and stitch up the gap. 

Sew on features using excess fabric for the ears, and embroidery threads for the features. 

Pop in the microwave for 20-30 seconds and warm your hands!