Handmade Recycled Potholders: Fat Tomato Designs

Most handmade oven mitts and potholders we've found are cute, but not all of them seem up to the task of regular use with a hot oven. With Fat Tomato Designs, we found the best of both worlds – sweet designs and thick, sturdy construction.

Julie Case's oven mitts and potholders are hand knitted and felted. Made from recycled sweaters, they are sturdy and heat resistant – she designed them to withstand the heat of her own wood stove. Plus, the food-themed designs are so cute!

We found Julie selling her designs on a chilly morning at the Dane County Farmers' Market in Madison, Wis. (priced at $22 a piece). She doesn't have an online store yet, but you can contact her through her web site to place a custom order.