Wyoming Breezes

Winter has taken up residence, and new mittens were needed to keep my hands warm. These mittens were knit on size 2 needles, using 100% wool. The yarn is close to a DK weight and created a nice dense knit. I used this pattern (Midge)  from Berroco . The mitten has a long cuff, extending 3 or 4 inches past the wrist, so it will prevent cold or snow from slipping down the coat sleeve. Does the yarn look familiar? It should: my Eternity Scarf was also knit from this yarn. Now, I have a matching set of Winter Wear.

Aren't these mitts divine?  I wish had knit them, but they were a gift from one of my knitting pals. She needed some yarn for a friend's gift, and since this area does not a lot of options for yarn, I told her choose some from my stash. When she offered to pay me for the alpaca yarn I refused but told her if she had enough remaining to make me something. She surprised me this week with the mitts, made from a pattern that I dearly love. Thanks, Julie!

Three youth vests and a pair of mittens are on their way to the afghans for Afghans Collection Center in San Francisco. My original goal was one or two vests, but I had more time to knit than I first thought. The mittens were knit in December. Hopefully, I can finish at least one more vest before the March deadline.

These mittens were intended for my great-niece, but obviously they are too large for her. However, since I had plenty of yarn, I finished the pair for a future afghans for Afghans youth project. I used the Lion Brand Easy-Knit Mitten pattern #80672AD (you may need to register to access this free pattern) and reclaimed wool. While the pattern was easy to follow, I prefer the Classic Mitten pattern that I knit for my great-niece and posted last week. I think the Classic Mitten has a better fit and is not so wide in the palm. I like the fit of the thumb better, too.

My great-niece called last weekend and requested mittens for Christmas, so I made some to match the Thorpe earflap hat I knit a few weeks ago. The mittens were knit on two size 4 circular needles. I used the Classic Mitten pattern from FreeVintageKnitting.com . The pattern covers a wide range of sizes and fits well. The wool for these items was reclaimed from a ladies sweater.

The snow was melting in my yard yesterday, but I was able to finish the mittens in time to get a photo. I knit Classic Mittens , using size 6 needles and Lion Wool Prints (Ocean Blues) found two years ago in the clearance bin at Hobby Lobby. I like the fit of the mitten even though I unintentionally made one thumb a little longer. I used 3 ounces of yarn (worsted weight) and have 2 ounces remaining. I will probably use the scraps to make a pair of children's socks or mittens for the afghans for Afghans campaign. No doubt Punxsutawney Phil or Lander Lil will see their shadows next week, so these mittens will get some wear in the six weeks of winter ahead and will undoubtedly see a lot more snow than they did yesterday.