These Delicato Mitts were finished a little while ago for my sister-in-law, but I didn't want to post a picture until they had been gifted, because I didn't want to spoil the surprise for her.  They're knit with sock weight yarn that I purchased because she is knitting a sweater in a similar colorway.  Fall is in the air here and I know her hands get cold, so am hoping these will be a colorful way to keep them warm.

Making Progress

Sorry I've been away from my blog for a while.  I've been working, and taking some pictures, but very behind in posting....  I'm trying to make up for it with this l-o-n-g post, containing quite a few pictures:-)

I've made progress one the purplish mitts, even though I only work on them while waiting or on road trips:

I've begun working on the Oatmeal Cardigan from Spin-Off Magazine (I think it's in the Winter 2009 issue), although I'm using Cascade 220, instead of handspun.  I did spin for the sweater, but chose the wrong kind of wool, and it's not as soft as I wanted to knit the sweater with, so will be repurposed into something else (eventually).  I've started twice, two different sizes, same size needles, and am still pondering whether to knit the smaller one (my preference right now), since the other is huge on my arm, or to try again on smaller needles (I'll probably continue on the smaller one).

Last year, I diligently collected the patterns and instructions for the Snowbound BOM from Bunny Hill Designs and tried to start, but life got in the way and I had to set it aside.  So..... I'm diligently working on it whenever I have time to just sit and work while watching TV, and I'm making good progress, with many blocks appliquéd, more in progress, and others prepped and ready to work on.  Let's start with my portable appliqué basket containing the prepped blocks:

Here are the blocks - so far:

New Mitts

The mitts I've been wearing are getting a bit pilled, and don't go with all my clothes, so on the last road trip I decided to start on a couple new pairs.  This first one is fun to knit!  I'm using a multi-colored sock yarn and making a pattern called Mitt Envy.  Since I like to use two double-pointed knitting needles for small, round projects, like socks and mitts, I use one of the extra dangling needles as a cable needle.  That way I don't have my cable needle falling on the floor of the car, or worse, getting lost between, or under the seats:-)

The second pair are called, Etesian Fingerless Mitts, and they have this nice texture created by making cables that aren't lined up as you normally would.  This pair are more tiring to work on, partially because of the color, and partially because I chose to use cotton / linen yarn, which doesn't really stretch.  (I'm hoping they will last a long time, without pilling.) I do love the pattern, and will probably make another pair in a more stretchy yarn, sometime.....

Serpentine Mitts - finished!

Yeah! These mitts are finished and can keep my hands warm. It's a good thing, because this morning I woke to about three inches of snow. Isn't it spring yet?

Knitting UFOs and one finished project!

The Paris-Roubaix mitts pattern is from Knitspot, and are being knit from extremely soft Ambrosia yarn from Knit Picks, which is a baby Alpaca and Cashmere mix from my stash. My hands have been so cold lately, that I'm anxious to finish them. (I'll have to take a better picture when they are done.)

This cowl is a gift I'm getting ready to ship. It's a bit late, but better late than never :-) The pattern was free online, but of course I can't find it right now - sorry.

One of my road trip projects is a pair of Serpentine Mitts by Miriam L. Felton that I'm working on . It is a free pattern on Ravelry, but you might need to be a member to download it(membership is free). The second one is in progress, but it may take a while for me to finish as I can only work on the easier parts on the road, and the rest at home between other projects. The yarn is Louet Gems sock yarn (and of course these would also be nice to keep my hands warm).

The Baby Surprise Jacket has made some progress, and is now waiting for me to weave in all the tails from changing colors. (I do know how to weave them in as I go, but hadn't decided which would be the right side until I finished the knitting, as I liked both sides.) I'm thinking it should have a hood, instead of collar, and am planning to try to use the hood from EZ's Tomten jacket pattern. Good thing the baby isn't due for a while, so I'll have time to get it finished.

Hot Waffles Mitts and Hat

Yes, I'm feverishly working like a busy beaver, trying to get ready for Christmas and also finish a new quilt pattern.

For this red set of hat and mitts, I used Cascade 220 yarn and the Hot Waffles Mitts and Hat pattern from Knitspot. It was great to be able to find a quick to knit project, download the pattern and get started right away!

These were small enough a project that I could take it along, and managed to finish rather quickly, even though I worked on them between other projects. Tuesday, while working at the gallery, I managed to make one complete mitt, and about 1/ 3 of the second, which I thought was great, especially since I have never knit a mitt or glove. This morning I finished darning in the loose ends, so now the set is finished and ready to wrap!