Finished Mittens

 

Yay!  Finished on time :]

It is definitely a small surprise for me, as I kept having to rip out half my work every couple of days, I wasn't sure if I would have *one* mitten done by the 8th.

And now I have *both* mittens done & ready to be worn a day early!

I took quite a few liberties with the Lithuanian mitten pattern I found in the Ultimate Mittens book I borrowed from the library.  For whatever reason (and most-likely because I was using needles 2 sizes too big) the mittens kept coming out way too large for my hands so I started tweaking with the numbers.

I thought I would include my notes for any others interested in trying this revised pattern.  Please note I DO NOT own this pattern & reserve all rights to the owners of the book.

Lithuanian Mittens, Revised
With size 3, double point needles, CO 39, splitting them 15, 12, 12.

*K2 P1, repeat, for 19 rows.

P around one row.

Begin new pattern: *K2, P1 for 2 rows; P around for 1 row.  Repeat from *

For every row that starts with K2, increase one stitch.  For example: Row 1 - K1 make 1 K1 P1, *K2 P1, repeat from *.
Row 2 - K1 make 1 K2 P1, *K2 P1, repeat from *
Row 3 - P all
Row 4 - 10 repeats Rows 1-3 until there are 8 knit stitches between the P stitches.

Row 11 - 22 *K2 P1 for 2 rows, P one row; repeat from *.  Ending Row 22 with a P row.
There should be 8 Purl rows or the length needed to reach your lowest thumb knuckle.

Slip these 10 stitches (1 P, 8 K, 1 P) onto a stitch holder.

CO 4 stitches on to finished-stitches needle.  Continue working, P1 *K2 P1 & continue in pattern [Row 1 & 2: K2 P1; Row 3: P] until it reaches 7 P rows above the thumb hole or your second finger knuckle.

Decrease every first K row.  SSK, P1 *K2 P1 for 15 stitches.  K2tog P1.  SSK. P1 *K2 P1 for 15 stitches.  K2tog P1.
Continue regular pattern for rows 2 & 3 until there are 16 stitches remaining.  Kitchener stitch the top closed.

Thumb
Slip the holding 10 stitches onto one double point needle.  Pick up 9 stitches around top of thumb hole.

K around for 2 rows, P third row.  Repeat for 6 rows or until length splits knuckle distance.

*Row 7: SSK, K around to last 3 stitches, K2tog, K1.
Row 8: K row
Row 9: P row
Repeat from * until 11 stitches remain.  Kitchener stitch closed.

Weave in ends & model :]

Complete! And displayed with thumbs in the center, per a Lithuanian quirk.

*My favorite part of the whole process is discovering this new pattern.  Try making a swatch and feeling the little nubby pattern yourself.  Amazingly fun!

Future Projects on My Wish List

Striped Tunic Dress

This [seamless!] pattern is for sale on Etsy!

Speaking of dresses [& my new love of granny-squares]....

... wouldn't this be a cute summer dress?

And the little feminine, hem details in this dress....

Definitely have to try making this hat in my size.

The Piper Cloche on Ravelry

This might be another great way to use up scraps...

Scrap Crochet Shrug

Crocheted cotton collars

Really pretty collar

Hmm... this may be the most feminine I've ever considered looking..... I wonder if Dowton Abbey is having an effect on me....  anyone else caught under this show's spell?

Herringbone Knit Stitch

Just a quick post for today; I've been busy finishing my mittens & starting on a towel set for the shop but I wanted to share this WONDERFUL video tutorial with anyone interested in learning a new knit pattern.

I found this German etsy article via Pinterest and I'm hoping to try this in a sweater pattern soon.  :]

Tootles for now.

My First Knit-Along

Thanks to a note from Genevieve, I've finally taken the challenge (for me) to join a Knit Along.  The hardest part for me is staying on a schedule when it comes to crafting.  I'm so easily distracted that I hate to promise anything in advance (that is why all my shop items are ready-to-ship, hehe).

So I'm very excited to say that I have *almost* completed this personal challenge of mine.

I've been re-working the pattern I'm following due to my lack of size-1 knitting needles (I'm using my great-grandmother's size-3) and I think I've ripped it out 3 or 4 times now.

.... not including the last 3 of the decrease at the top. .... I can't wait to see how quick I can whip up its pair.... :)

I wish I better understood the protocol when it comes to linking up, but I'll admit I've only seen it on Field Wonderful's blog, so I hope no one minds....

Today (or these last two weeks, rather) I'm knitting along with LuvintheMommyhood in her Warm up to Winter Knit Along.

I can't wait to show off the pair once they are off the needles :]

Is anyone else doing a knit along?

Getting Lots Listed

Just this weekend I was able to photograph & list all 9 of these!  Anyone else loving these cheerful colors?

   

   

  

Click on an image to be taken to its shop listing.

I can't remember the last time I felt so productive for the shop.  :]  Lovin' this feeling.

What did your weekend look like?

Week Four's Winner

Yay for a healthy collection of comments on this last week's giveaway.  And a big Congratulations to Debbie!

She chose the dark blue ear warmer.

And with that, January's series of Giveaways ends.  I want to thank everyone for all your support & for "playing" with me.  :)  I hope to do something like this again.  (I'm always taking suggestions!  Leave them in the comments please)  This has been a fun feature of each week and now I have to figure out what to fill it with. .... hmm..... that'll be the tough part....

Congratulations again to Debbie!  It is on its way.

Strawberry Patch Shell Hat + Ear Warmer

I couldn’t get enough of this cute little hat after I posted about it here.  And I thought this yarn would be a perfect shell hat for those that want a little more color than just white. 

Next on the list for this yarn: an ear warmer.  I think I might have to get more of this yarn to make more items out of it for the shop.  I just love how optimistic & bright this yarn is.  

Or maybe I should try it in a few granny squares for the afghan.

Photo Shoot!

It’s been needed for a long time.  I finally found a free Saturday to get a sunny day for photos and even a friend to volunteer modeling :)  fun!

Of course, I wasn’t planning to have a snowy-white background but Mother Nature had other ideas.  She decided to drop a few inches on us at the end of last week so I guess a winter wonderland was the look of the shoot.

At least it made for some nice seasonal pictures.  

*Psst - don't forget to enter the last Ear Warmer Giveaway.

Custom Cable Red Hat

I love little surprises in my inbox.  Especially when they lead to a sale!  I received a convo on etsy, last Thursday, asking if I could make this cable hat in red.

I originally had a mitten started for this knit along but the yarn & the pattern weren’t lining up the way I would have liked so I ripped it out and started the red hat. 

I was surprised, even for me, with all the ripping out, backtracking, and fixing on Friday & Saturday that I finished it in less than two days – Saturday evening while babysitting!  So I emailed, listed it and had it all squared up to go in the mail Monday morning.  Great weekend! :]

*Don't forget, this is your last week to enter the Ear Warmer Giveaway.

It’s the Last One! - Ear Warmer Giveaway Week 4

Congratulations to Genevieve!   She has had her heart set on the rose pink ear warmer since Week One!

For this last week, I want to open the love to everyone who has entered any of this month’s giveaways. 

So if you only commented on Week 1 and didn’t win, you’re comment is your entry to this week’s.  If you entered Week 1 AND Week 2, both your comments (each individual comment; not facebook likes) will count as entries for this week’s.  Same for Week 3. 

Strawberry Chocolate

If you’re happy with your number of entries, sit back and enjoy this week. 

If you want to increase your chances, you can comment on this post for one more entry.  Tell me how you liked or would improve this month’s series of giveaways. 

Midnight Blue

Since we are down to our last ear warmer, I figured I would offer to make an ear warmer out of this beautiful Midnight Blue if the winner prefers darker colors to the variegated pink.  Like usual, just let me know in your comment which you would prefer to win.  Or get creative & come up with your own color (I can't guarantee that I'll have it, but if I do, I'll make it for you!)

Thank you for supporting me and this little blog.  I’ve loved sending off small prizes and it wouldn’t have been nearly as fun (or possible) without all of you.  Thanks again!  

*Please be sure to include an email address with your entry at which to notify you of the good news.  A winner will be chosen at random Saturday, Jan. 28, around midnight and notified Sunday morning.  Please respond during the day Sunday so I can ship your prize on Monday.  Otherwise a new winner will be chosen Monday morning.  Thank you!