Heating Pillow with Buckwheat

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Sew up an easy pillow filled with buckwheat to serve as a heating pad. Buckwheat holds the heat (or cold) better than rice or other grains and is hypoallergenic, since buckwheat is not actually a cereal or grass. Add a few drops of your favorite fragrance oil, or just enjoy the smell of buckwheat. You can also use this pillow as a wrist pillow when working with your computer mouse.

Heating Pillow 1

Materials:

Hand knitted piece (optional, but if you do use it – only natural yarn like wool or cotton)
Piece of fabric (preferably cotton) that is at least twice bigger than your knitted piece
Sewing machine
Needle and threads
Scissors
Piece of paper
Buckwheat

Instructions:

Knit a cover piece; make it the shape you want your heating pad to be. place your hand knitted piece in a flat position and slightly stretch.
Cut your cotton into two exactly the same pieces so that they are slightly bigger than your knitted piece.
Take two cotton pieces and place the knitted piece in between like in the photo.
Sew around the edges making sure you get all three layers. leave an opening about 2” long.
Turn it inside out.
Make a little fennel out of paper and use it to fill up the sack with your precious buckwheat about half way so the sack is rather loose – this way it will take a shape of whatever you want to warm up easier.
Use blind stitch to close it up. you are done! now go put it in the microwave and heat it up for 1 minute, take it out and shake it up. then put it back in for another minute. don’t you love it?

For other similar sewing ideas, check out the FREE ebook, The Sewn Christmas Gifts Guide.

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Weberme

Aug 04, 2016

I will have to make this for sure because I bought one years ago at a craft fair and it had a oil added to help with pain or tension. Does anyone remember those? Anyone know what they used in them? I can not find them today so I am so glad I came across this tutorial so I can make my own. They worked so well and felt so good on my neck. I will be making some as gifts too. Great gift for anyone. Thanks.

loudmama

Mar 03, 2014

You can also use rice or dried cherry pits for stuffing. I actually think cherry pits hold heat the longest. Great project - love the knitted piece idea!

wol7l 9900687

Jul 19, 2013

This sounds like a wonderful gift for my friend. Thank you! Now the dumb question (?) where does one find buckwheat! Is it in the grocery stores or maybe a drug store????br Thanks again for your idea and help. Loribr

BeckySue

Sep 04, 2016

Buckwheat is usually available at stores like Whole Foods in the bulk grains dispensers.

rackster

Oct 10, 2011

I made these last year for my friends and EVERYONE loved them. Would sure do them again!

Momof3ms

Oct 09, 2011

Thanks for the great idea. We have a craft group at church and every Christmas we make up gifts for each other. We all do a little bit of this and that. This craft will be part of my gift this year. I was stuck on what I wanted to do but you gave me the idea I was looking for. THANK YOU!-- Allie

daniellec2003 2473 028

Jul 17, 2011

i thing i will make some and i will make me one for in the winter because i get so cold and it thing this will help a lot

mawoodman 6347275

Feb 27, 2011

The alternative term for buckwheat seeds is buckwheat GROATS. I found some at a farmer's market that stocks all kinds of exotic stuff (like powdered honey) that they package up theirselves, apparently from larger quantities. However, I thought it was expensive--I paid $4.75 a pound for it. You might want to search for it using the term groats instead of buckwheat. Maybe that will help.

angeltea9 9248850

Jan 20, 2011

Wow! I really Like this. It brings back childhood memories.

granniefrannie30 6 942025

Jan 11, 2011

I have made these using corn not popcorn I had to go to a feedstore to buy it they are made the same way but instead of using buckwheat (where do you find buckwheat at?) Do you also heat them in the microwave? They are fun to make instead of knitting I used material I had left over and put lace around the top pillow Made like a lining f- put about a cup and ahalf of corn stitch it up on the sewing machine and put it in the case. They really make cute little gifts.

vgirlsmom

Jan 11, 2011

Do you have a child that grinds their teeth at night? Well here is a helpful hint, warm that rice or "buckwheat"bag and let them sleep with it on their jaw, this will relax the muscles and wa la no more grinding!

Glenda

Jan 11, 2011

Why would you call it a rice bag if you fill it with buckwheat? I've made these with rice for years...great in the winter. Mine are large enough to warm the foot of the bed. I actually make a separate cover so it can be removed and washed.

agypsyangel

Nov 25, 2010

I used these and made these, great.

Crafter 1984536

Sep 02, 2010

Soooooo---Where do I find the buckwheat?

mamasita18

Jul 02, 2010

Wow! so many readers know so much about buckwheat... I liked the tip of not using hulls as they ignite. Thanks gjohnson!

jacaja

Jun 08, 2010

When I make these bags I use rice and a new white crew sock. The length of the sock makes it fit around your neck nicely if that is where you need the heat. I have never tried freezing it for a cold pack but might try it sometime soon.

Granny Pat

Jun 08, 2010

Hi My name is Granny Pat and I have made rice bags for over years I take the thickest hand towel I can buy cut it in half not long ways side ways Sew wrong side together three sides together leaving end that has the hand towel end seam open I buy Mahatma extra long grain enriched rice in the lb bags Take cups of the dry rice and fill your bag Sew the fourth side together I sew around the bag a second time so that there are two seams holding the bag together I also use quilting thread instead of sewing thread I have given these rice bags to family friends neighbors for over years - and it can be used as hot pack or cold pack For hot pack put in microwave for to minutes Flip bag around a bit before using to get the heat evenly distributed…Read More For a cold pack put in freezer overnight

Victoriarose

May 06, 2010

I have made these pillows for years using barley, but I changed two years ago to flax seed as it does not dry out like some of the other types of grain. The heat pillows are so much softer with the flax seed. I purchase the flax from a local farmer. I also keep one in the freezer for strains or sprains. Flax is a seed rather than a grain and has a wee spot of oil inside it that heats up or freezes and this is why it doesn't dry out.

Crafter 1221392

Mar 11, 2010

I have used jasmine rice or basmati rice for my hot pillows. Both can be found in the rice section of the store. If you don't see it, check the ethnic section-ie Oriental foods. The jasmine rice smells nice when warm also. I like to use flannel for the pillows as it is soft and warms nicely. But watch where you leave the pillow-- kids love to take it for themselves and if it is a small one they use it for a ball - hackysack. Mine used to disappear when the grandsons were small. Or just make them one while you are at it.

Sew Bea It

Feb 27, 2010

Have been sewing cherry pit packs for years. They work awesome as heatin (when microwaved), or cooling (keep one in the freezer in a ziplogck bag) pads.

DandSGrandma

Feb 19, 2010

A friend of mine makes these using "feed corn" - available at any feed store they work really well. Also - she uses heavy-duty upholstery fabric, whiuch eliminates the need for the liner.

Birdnest

Jan 14, 2010

Try using cherry pits that are thoroughly washed instead of buckwheat. I would wash the pits numerous times, maybe use a little bleach water. They heat up great in the microwave and retain the heat really good!

Devonviolet

Jan 08, 2010

I have read that you can use rice in place of the buckwheat which is rather expensive I have Buckwheat hulls for Sobakawa pillows but as stated above one should not place in microwave as it could catch fire Also if using as a cold pack it would not hold the cold well I recently bought some hard Spring wheat in the bulk food room at my local health food store While plain rice was pound I found the Spring wheat for pound This is the same size and shape as long grain rice works well for hotcold pack neck pillows and would also work well for this heating pad As an alternative whole dried corn which is bigger and would give a different feel in a pillow would have cost pound Orrrr to duplicate the size and texture fairly closely one could buy some short grain rice When I make…Read More my heating pad I am thinking of putting a small amount of wheat then stitching a decorative stick every couple of inches Which would keep the wheat from bunching at one end yet still allow it to move around and mold to the area being heated or chilled Suggestion If making this or neck pillow coldhot packs to sell do not put any scents in with the filling as more and more people are developing Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and scents especially those made from chemical based products can cause severe reactions in these people Others might develop migraines from the chemicals in the scents The more natural you can make this kind of pillow the better for those who use them

SUZANNE Tampa FL

Jan 06, 2010

Buckwheat is also known as KASHA. It is in the ethnic food isle in the Jewish section. It is yummy to eat too!

Aunt Bumble Bee

Dec 02, 2009

On the Heating Pillow with Buckwheat - I haven't made this yet, but I wondered...I think I read somewhere else that you could also use pearl type rice if you could not find buckwheat. Does anyone have further if this is correct?

Crafter 7368425

Nov 28, 2009

I searched on the link provided for buying buckwheat but it didn't work. I searched in google and found the url is httpwww.buckwheathull.com They sell both buckwheat and buckwheat hulls. For microwaving, buy buckwheat not the hulls.

cathydp464

Nov 18, 2009

You can find buckwheat by the pound at httpwww.buckwheathull.comindex.html......

Neds girl

Nov 17, 2009

I have come across many crafts calling for buckwheat. Retailers in New England have never heard of buckwheat. Literally. When I ask for it they respond, "What's that?" Please, where can I get some?