must. make. mittens.

I did it AGAIN. Yes, AGAIN. I waited until the last minute to beef up my stash of mittens for the Holiday Craft Show. Can we just pretend that planning that wedding took up all my free time?

For the sale this year, I’m not doing any neckwarmers. They were too confusing for most people. In place of those, I was hoping to get some tea cozies made, with the pot included. However, I have pots but no cozies. We’ll see how that ends up…

Another change to the status quo is the type of yarn I’m using. The first few years I purchased white commercial yarns and dyed them before knitting simple ribbed mitts. Gradually, I’ve incorporated handspun yarns and different styles of mittens. This year I don’t have any of that first style of mitt and most are made of handspun. I will also be using some undyed fiber and recycled sweater yarn.

And here are some of my most recent pairs of mitts. The middle pair was knit two at time and finished in one day! I’m excited about that accomplishment.

tom’s favorite mitts.

Apparently Thomas has a favorite pair of fingerless mittens.

It began when I left a pair in progress on the couch and came back to find him using the ball of yarn as a pillow. He had been resting his chin between both balls, but then adjusted to favor the blue-green one.

Then, after I had finished knitting the pair, I brought out the stool to take photos. He joined me.

Or perhaps he just wanted to look out the window.

alpaca samples: hat for me!

finished this hat yesterday. consists of a natural alpaca/merino blend and a green alpaca yarn. with left-overs, i will knit a pair of matching mittens.

for some reason i tend to look a bit on the annoyed side in my photos. i felt relaxed when i was taking them.

alpaca samples: tiny hat

Continuing with the alpaca theme, I made a small beret with the left-over yarn from the fingerless mitts. Unfortunately I am incredibly bad at guessing how much yarn it will take to finish a project. Therefore, I ended up with a very tiny hat that doesn’t quite fit any of my stuffed animals. Too small for Flick and slightly too big for this other little monkey.

And guess what? I still have yarn left over from that ball!

flip-top mitts

Every year I sell fingerless mittens at Christmas, people always ask about those convertible flip-top type. They go from fingerless to full mittens – BAM! And I always say, “yes, I should do that! Maybe next year.” A year goes by, nothing happens. I don’t think about mittens in July. Well, I didn’t really think that much about mitts this summer either, but I decided to try the flip-top mitts anyway. It was interesting. For next time I need to make the edges overlap just a wee bit more. Buttons and loops to secure the flap, and we’ll be done! Except I have to make the other one to match. That’s the hardest part!

pink pouch!

Three years ago I met Lydia primarily because her daughter, the Wee E, crawled into our camp at Pennsic. Happily, we’ve become really great friends. However, we only get to visit for two weeks once a year. I can say with confidence that she has made my Pennsic experience so much better! Well, last year Eleanore had a lovely pink cloak and pink gillies. So when I dyed and spun a skein of pink yarn, I had to name it in her honor. The yarn was spun bulky weight (4 WPI) from combed Romney top. I was really happy with that skein and listed it in the shop for a long time, but no one purchased it.

Then I found out that Lydia had been wanting it! I brought it out with me when I came back for the second week. She asked if I’d knit something for her, so I made this little woolly pouch. Success! I’m glad to know it has a happy home, plus it’s the most productive thing I did the entire week!

favoritest mitts ever!

Is it just me, or do you fall in love with your projects? I think I’ve brought this up before in regards to yarn. I find that I will knit something and think, “this is the best _____ I’ve ever made!!” And it will be admired for a time before I knit the same thing again and say, “THIS is the best ______ I’ve ever made!”

Well, this time the fill in the blank is mitts. I seem to make a lot of them. Prior to my current favorite, I was mad about these embroidered peach mitts from January. It was very exciting, adding the details and using handspun.

Just this past weekend I finished a pair of fingerless mitts that are my new favorite pair. I knit them using a yarn I spun when I was going crazy for long-draw. The beautiful handdyed wool locks came from Neauveau. It’s Merino, something I generally avoid, but as locks it’s really fun. I love the texture on these and the way the colors made little blocks. Also, they don’t particularly match.

oh, that silky wool

The Frock Camisole has been finished for some time. I think the straps are already stretching. Every time I knit something body-sized it always irritates me. Whatever it is, it just doesn’t fit right, it sags, it’s lumpy, it’s bulky. Whatever. Blech.

I had quite a bit of Silky Wool left over and since I really enjoyed the light green, I decided to knit a bit of lace with it. Specifically the Eloping Garter by Abigail van Roode (rav link/also on Knitty.com). I couldn’t imagine myself wearing one of those ghastly fluffballs that are worn by most brides. Besides, I’m a knitter!

It’s being worked on in relative secrecy. Rich is aware, but hasn’t seen it. I know he doesn’t read my blog, so I’m not overly concerned. Should I make two? One to keep and one for him to toss? If someone takes it home will that appreciate all the work I’ve put into it? A quandry.

something finished-finally!

Tuesday night I cut the two woolly seat cushions from the loom! Yesterday I finished tying the fringe and securing the edges, although there are a few loose ends to sew in. I’m glad to have these off my plate, as the loom as been warped and waiting for months. Making Tuesdays weaving night was the best decision ever!

I’m pleased with how they turned out, although the first one isn’t as dense as the second, meaning it might not be as squishy. I can’t say what the wool is that I used because it was unmarked when I bought it. Whatever it is, it doesn’t have a lot of lanolin in it. I thought the locks had been washed because they weren’t greasy, but after I had my hands on them for a few weeks (and gave them a sniff), I think they are actually dirty. Mostly they just seem dusty and stinky, so I’m going to wash both rugs before officially calling this project complete.

This weekend is the first BIG camping event of the summer. AETHELMEARC WAR PRACTICE at Cooper’s Lake, where we go for Pennsic War (hence “war practice”). Some of our household is going out tonight, but I have to work Friday morning, so I’ll be heading out in the afternoon. I’m bummed. I’m very curious about which merchants are going to be there. Will I come home with fiber? Fabric? Nothing? One never knows.

seed stitch mug cozy

Even though I vowed not to knit for my dad again, let’s face it – he’s my dad. And I love him regardless of the fact that he won’t wear his socks!! Anyway, after watching me create weird little teapot cozies, he asked if I’d make one for a mug he uses at work. His requirements were simply that it couldn’t be a fun candy color and that it should have a bottom.

I chose this natural grey Romney – the first fleece I had processed by Zeilinger’s – which was already being spun. This particular skein was the first 3-ply I spun from three separate bobbins, not navajo-plied. I love the way it came out! I’m continually amazed at the true differences in plies, fibers, spinning methods, etc.

He picked out this cute little orange button to secure the handle strap. When I pulled out some possible buttons, I first thought of orange because that’s his favorite color. But then I decided against it since his tea cozy is grey and orange. However, after looking through all my buttons, he chose an orange one himself!

I’m pleased with how it came out. It isn’t spectacularly inspiring or intricate. Just a simple seed stitch. But I’m sure it will serve his purposes.