Ok, maybe not millions but certainly dozens of knit mittens. Hyperbole may be my middle name…..
My upcoming mittenggeddon began bubbling in the spring. Lost gloves, worn out mittens and well worn hand warmers meant knitting for hands should be on the horizon. While air conditioners buzzed in August, thanks to Ravelry’s library search, I discovered patterns I already owned and didn’t even remember! Do you keep track of your patterns in Ravelry? This nice video gives you the low down on how useful it is.
But back to warm hands during New England winters… Using the search option in my Ravelry library, more than three dozen patterns for hands were available. Personally, my wussy hands need some type of cold weather protection any time the weather gets below 60 F (15C). As such, I need at least 4 different kinds of hand coverings to get to spring again.
Cedar Shake mitts by Juju Vail and Susan Cropper
Last fall, I brought home the Cedar Shakes pattern after visiting London’s lovely Loop . With one hand warmer finished, I figured this was the first project to finish. However, this knitting project loved Shanti Retreat so much, it rummaged up the karma to stay behind (or was I silly enough to leave it under the bed?). So do I cast on another pair from stash or do I make another pair of Eric’s Glovelets?
One of many pairs of Eric’s Glovelets I’ve made
I first saw Jodi Colella whipping up a pair of Eric’s Glovelets in perhaps 2008. Normally, I make mine without the palm finishing, which makes them reversible and quicker to knit. I love its little mock cable.
The Peppermint Lounge Mittens have an interesting construction and are knit on straight needles. While white mittens have no space in my life, I think these would be a great early or late winter mitten to whip out of worsted weight remnants.
Adrian Bizilia Peppermint Lounge Mittens
A nice pair of gloves looks polished when the occasion requires. I enjoyed knitting Ysolda Teague’s Vintage Buttons Gloves. However, I needed to make the fingers much more fitted than her pattern outlined. This time, let me try Ruth Garcia-Alcantud’s Deux Violettes gloves.
Deux Violettes Gloves by Ruth Garcia-Alcantud
Once winter gets fierce, warmer mittens are required. I’ve completely worn through my pair of Kerri Shanks’ Cozy Lined Mittens. Last time, I lined the mittens with alpaca, which was simply divine. I shouldn’t complain if mittens wear out after years of use. Just knit another one, right?
For shoveling or winter walks, my hub asked for a thick pair of mittens, so I think I’ll buy Aria Reynold’s Roving Lined Mittens. There’s a yummy alpaca yak yarn that just showed up at In Stitches, and this will give me the perfect opportunity to go beyond my stash for mittens.
But thrumming will appear in my winter, I’m sure, so I’m off to download Lynette Meek’s East Coast Mittens, which has a nice thrumming explanation. The mitten pattern also includes a gusset, which is important for a long wearing fit, imho.
Of course, what I really want to knit: a muff. As a tiny tot, my sister and I shared am muff (or did we argue about who would wear it?). Most likely made of bunny hair, it was soft and beautiful. I’d like a soft and beautiful muff, maybe of alpaca yarn. But first, get those hands ready for cold weather!
And the mittengeddon begins! Anyone want to join me in the gathering of mittens?
