Don't take naps around me....

Tough break, roomie.

Mittens!

Since I learned to knit, my mother has been telling me how much she wants mittens.  At first it was subtle, but over time she's gotten more boisterous. Example:

Mom: What are you knitting?  Mittens for your momma?
Me: This is a scarf.

My mitten apprehension was not out of laziness or unwillingness to make my mom happy, it was out of fear -- fear that mittens were too hard (and gloves were just ridiculous).  But I did it!  I made a pair of mini-mittens for Christmas ornaments and graduated to full size, functional, adult mittens.  So here mom, here's your stinkin' mittens.

Warm Wool Mittens by Lion Brand Yarn

Knit with Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in Bouquet Heather

The pattern is a little weird, the whole fabric seems too airy.  I considered sewing in a warmer lining but my mom said it wasn't necessary.  Oh well, it's her chilly-hands funeral.

Not fully satisfied with mitten attempt version 1, I used the yarn Eddie got me for our anniversary to make myself some mittens.

Green Leaf Mittens by Amy Mercer

Knit with Tosh Sock in Baltic

Ravelry Project Page

They're still far from perfect (my thumbs are different sizes, whoops), but I love them.  They're warm and they make me feel like a crafty child.

Mods:

 Used double-stranded fingering weight instead of DK yarn

Knit the whole set in 4s to avoid too small mittens (I don't think it was necessary)

Horseshoe Cowl

I've finally gone through the last of my Giftmas yarn with this latest project, Horseshoe Lace Cowl by Sashka Macievich.  To my surprise, I already knit up this pattern in bamboo before (project page) but rest assured, wool is a much, much better choice. 

Ravelry Project Page

Knit with Cascade 220 Sport in 8992

This pattern is written for fingering yarn but I used sport weight.  I fell in love with this yarn at first sight; the color is a deep, interesting blue and it was super affordable.  The problem is that at 164 yards, there's not a whole lot of one-skein options.  I considered making some fingerless gloves but let's get real -- when I have a choice, I will almost always make a neck-thing.  

Mods:

I cast on 10 sts less for one less lace repeat

I did 5 lace repeats rather than the 8 the pattern recommended 

I used the whole skein.

The pattern really came out in blocking, and when I was knitting it I kept considering switching to stockinette because the lace wasn't showing up.  Patience, my knitting friends, patience is the key.