NOTE: Please read my printing instructions below (if you don't want to read about the process, skip to 'Printing Instructions'), or you will not have the 'fuzzy' fur on the cuff-link!

I'm very new to 3D printing, and designing things for 3D printing. This is also the first Christmas since I have joined the 3D printing community and bought a 3D printer. So I thought I would combine the two and try to design a Christmas/ Holiday ornament this holiday season!

I've personally always tried to make something useful to test out new techniques, so when the thought of mittens came to me, and I realised that I could try out using the 'fuzzy skin' slicer setting to get the fur texture of the mitten cuff, I was sold.

This is the result of some iterative design, some testing of different parameters for the fuzzy skin, and finally after many tweaks, I have landed on a design I am happy with releasing!

However, as design is always an iterative process, I'm still not 100% happy with this, and I have some cool ideas I still want to try out. So expect to see this thing change if I end up with an update I am happy with releasing.

I hope you enjoy, and Happy Holidays!

Printing Instructions
Print all parts with the holes for the pins facing down
No Supports Required
This design utilises the slicers 'Fuzzy Skin' feature. You must use the 'fuzzy skin' feature for the 'Mitten_BottomCuff', otherwise you will get a flat cuff! I have attached a 3mf project file which uses a 'support blocker' with the 'Modify Settings for Overlaps' enabled. I have done this as there is a hook to pass a bit of string through, which we do not want to have fuzzy skin on.
I have also attached two gcode files, with the 'Mittens_BottomCuffx2_0.2mmPLA.gcode' file already having the fuzzy skin in the gcode. So feel free to give that file a shot if you would like. If you print of both gcode files, that will get you a whole set of 2 mittens! I recommend printing the bottom cuff in white, and the top in a different colour!

To replicate this 'fuzzy skin' in Cura, but ensure the hook does not have fuzzy skin, follow the steps below. (Cura is my slicer of choice, although feel free to pop down instructions for other slicers in the comments if you know how to do it):

1. Import the 'Mitten_BottomCuff.stl' file into Cura (You may need to rotate it 180 degrees so the holes are facing down.)
2. Select the 'Mitten_BottomCuff' mesh you just imported.
3. Click on the 'Support Blocker' option on the left, and click on anywhere on the model.
4. Resize the support blocker so it covers the whole surface of the bottom cuff, but ensure it does not reach above the top layer of the cuff where the hook is.
5. Select the new support blocker you have resized and positioned, and select 'Per Model Settings'.
6. Change the type to 'Modify Settings For Overlaps'
7. Change the subtype to 'Cutting Mesh'
8. Click 'Select Settings' down the bottom of that menu.
9. Search for the keyword 'fuzzy', and select all of the options.
10. Replicate the settings below for the same look as my example photos above, or, experiment to find settings that you like the look of!
11. Print & Enjoy!

Here are the fuzzy skin settings I have determined to be best for this scenario. However, feel free to play around and suggest your own if you find more aesthetically pleasing ones!

• Fuzzy Skin ON
• Fuzzy Skin Outside Only ON
• Fuzzy Skin Thickness 0.5mm
• Fuzzy Skin Density 1.25/mm
• Fuzzy Skin Point Distance 0.6mm

To make the whole set, you will need:

• 2x Mitten_BottomCuff (Make sure you do the fuzzy skin thing explained above)
• 2x Mitten_Top
• 4x Mitten_PinX2

As I have noted below. After printing a variety of colours off, I have found that the pins work perfectly for expanding plastics, such as silk. However if you print with a less expanding plastic, they can be a little bit loose. To fix this, I would recommend either using some glue to stick them together, and use the pins as a guide to make sure everything is centered. Or, you can use a little bit of tissue paper, and put it on the flat surface as you insert the pins. This will allow the pins to get a little bit more grip on the surface of the holes, and not slide out. This also gives the benefit of being able to switch different colours and styles, to see what you like best!

As for the hooks, just put a little bit of string, through the two mittens, and tie it together to get a beautiful, cozy Christmas ornament!

The round reflective surface when using silk filament plays with the light very well. When I initially envisioned this, I had imagined it with the classic Christmas white and red colour scheme (White cuff, red mitten). But unfortunately I don't currently have any red filament, otherwise you would have definitely seen one of those in the photos above!

Please post your makes!
I'd love to see them!

I wish you a very Happy and Safe Holiday Season!