Mittens!

I made mittens once (well twice) when I was very very new to knitting.  They have holes at the top of the thumbs, they were worked flat and then sewn up - thus have an ugly side seam, and they're kind of tight.  At the time, I was like - awesome!  I made mittens!  and then I gave them to my sisters.

Then I avoided mittens like the plague - as looking back - I could see how awful the initial ones were.

That was like 4-ish years ago - and I have not made mittens since!

RIDICULOUS!

Being a Canadian, mittens are a staple in our winter and the capability to make matching toque / scarf / mittens is important.  So, I signed up for a Craftsy class - which I must admit - I am LOVING!  The first pattern in the class is a 5-in-1 adventure - which really just means that the pattern covers 1. mittens 2. fingerless mittens 3. convertible fingerless mittens 4. fingerless gloves 5. gloves.  phew!  So, I decided I would make convertible fingerless mittens with a convertible thumb (yes, iPhone users!  You can use your phone and keep your hands warm at the same time!  Mind. Blown.)

I got one mitten done and posted a picture on Ravelry and was incredibly excited when I received a note asking if my picture could be used for the pattern page!  Well, yes, yes, you may!  *glee!*

This is the colour they really are!

Look how goofy the thumb looks.  Only downside.

Second mitten is fini!

While I was watching the video for this class, I noticed that the instructor had the most beautiful stitch markers that I have ever seen.  So I made some.  :)

And just because I'm on the page of things that TOTALLY aren't knitted.  Here's some random crafty stuff I've done lately.  :)

Ornament wreath
Can't lie.  Got the idea from Pinterest.

Another Pinterest idea.
Menu board.
Just have to make the
recipe cards!

More Slippers

I guess this slipper thing isn't going to stop any time soon.  It uses up so much of my stash so nicely.  There's also a charity drive for gifts for a seniors home going on at work at the moment and I'm thinking the slippers will go to that.

Anyhow, the ones for - I've decided - my mom (the insanity slippers with the cables and the fingering weight yarn) are coming along well.  I finally got one slipper all sewn up.  I just don't have that much motivation to work on them.  I'm sure I could finish them faster if there was a deadline or motivation - but for now - they're  ALMOST done!  WOO HOO!

you don't want me in your picture?

cute button!

cat-attack!

The "unsubstantial - holey slippers" well, those are the ones I'm making for the seniors home gifts.  I know that sounds really bad - but to be honest - I was so mad about the first pair that I used all my ends to snug up all the holes and now they look really good.  (still not terribly warm, but how warm does a house-slipper really need to be ?)  So, I started on a second pair, but I didn't want to have to snug up all the holes on pair number 2 - so my solution was to do the sc row around the slipper with the mc and work my scs through part of the 2nd st so that the holes would go away (and they did!) and then do a sl st round with the contrast colour.  I'm about halfway through slipper #2 of pair number 2 and they're looking STELLAR!  (woo!)

see how much LESS holey they are now?

finished!

And now for something completely different.

You know that shrug that I made for my sister for Christmas a couple years ago?  Well, it was too big (like she couldn't keep it on her shoulders too big).  It makes me sad that something I made is loved, but cannot be worn because it is so obviously the wrong size.  So we spent a few minutes pinning things up and figuring out how big it needs to be and then I frogged the whole darn thing.  Then I had to rewrite the pattern due to the size it required being was 30 sts less than the original!  (omg!) I've been determined to get through this so that her sweater comes back to her as soon as possible - so I've been knitting stockinette stitch on the train a lot (yes, I am *that* girl).  AND!  I finally finished!  I am so excited!  I just have to bind-off and then tuck ends and sew seams (I know, that is where everything gets stalled - but must. finish.)