This is one of my favorite times of year, the time between the December “holidaze” and New Year’s. When I have this time off, I am suddenly free of schedule, obligation, task and time sort of stands still, a little. Time to do, to rest, to reflect.
Our Christmas was wonderful, full of food and sweets, gifts, celebration, and relaxation too. I took in the plenty around me, and how especially thankful I am for it this year, right now.
As hoped, I am at the very beginnings of several projects, and there’s not much to show except for a couple. I am apparently on a hand covering mission.
Now almost done with the Accomplice mitts…
And knitting a very large pair of mittens…
These are for my nephew, my nephew who is well over 6 feet tall with size 16 feet. Bear in mind I have petite hands. But still. I think these may be a little big.
For his birthday, he requested a pair of mittens for the coldest days when the fingerless mitts I made him a few years ago (which he reports he has worn every winter since, sometimes with a pair of store-bought gloves beneath) aren’t quite warm enough. That’s music to a knitter’s ears! I also have a policy of not knitting mittens for others unless I expressly know they wear mittens, because I find people fall into two groups: mitten wearers and not-mitten wearers. BTW, I knit those mitts from Artyarns Supermerino, at an average gauge, and they have held up incredibly well under very hard use. Good to know.
Anyway, these are the Jack-in-the Box Mittens, also from Knitting New Mittens and Gloves, without a flip top. I subbed Peace Fleece worsted and am working up the men’s size on US6 and 7 needles. Man are they lofty and warm! In the absence of a hand model, I figure better too big than too small. I am considering trying to felt these just a tad. But I also think, with use, they will felt on their own, and would mold to his hands. In the meanby, he could wear a pair of gloves beneath if need be, as he does now anyway. Thoughts?
Squeaky Swift?
On a completely different topic, I want to report a nifty trick to keep your wooden swift swifting smoothly. Shoe polish. My lovely birch swift had developed a squeak and a scrape after a few years of use. A few well-placed daubs of shoe polish on the moving bits and all was well again. I used a neutral polish (I imagine clear would work just as well) and my tin happened to state on the back that it was useful for polishing wood.
(grimy old t-shirt reuse optional)
Some That Got Away
In my massive listing of pattern goodies last post, I managed to leave out a couple.
Thermis (Rav) by Kristin Patay has had serious blog coverage, so likely you have seen it. However, there is a set of baby hat patterns from Wooly Wormhead that I haven’t seen much about and it really deserves to be: Wee Wooly Toppers (Rav). The cuteness!
And already there is new pattern goodness abounding!
Have you seen Ysolda’s Whimsical Little Knits? That girl has talent coming from every pore.
And I think Gale Zucker’s Lamar Scarf (Rav) is funky, modern, and all around cool. I have more Rowan Yorkshire Tweed Chunky in the stash that I think will be perfect for this!
Liking your Accomplice and a half. Great colorway.
On the Big Mittens – I say wait before felting, even a little, because a) maybe his hands really are THAT big, and b) I think you’re right, they will felt just enough with the use they’re likely to get. What a joy to have your previous gift used with such regularity – and by a boy! I’m with you on not knitting mittens for anyone unless you’re sure they’re a Mitten Person. It does matter.
OK, love KrisKnits. You’ve pointed me in the right direction toward so many cool blogs – thank you! Thermis is going to be mine, oh yes, it will be mine.
Your description of this time of year is exactly how I want to feel about it, but I can’t quite relax into it knowing that I should be prepping for new classes that begin on Monday. Still, I’m going to give myself another couple of lazy days — ’til New Year’s at least . . .
And oh, those are cute baby hats, especially that Waltzer!
Great shoe polish tip!
I love this time of year too – ring out the old, ring in the new!! Those mitts are HUGE! I can imagine the hands that go into those! Happy New Year!
Those mittens are definitely big, but maybe he can try them on and if too big, then felt? They look great, and if he’s going to wear them over gloves then they will probably be fine.
Happy New Year!!
Those are some b-i-g mittens, my dear.
Happy New Year!
Even if the mittens are a bit big, he’ll love them. They look very warm and snuggly.
[...] Sknitty got me turned on to Thermis, which I cast on last night and tore through like a bandit. Something about that thermal pattern mixed with the cowl and then the buttons – Amy likey. I’ve just got the second buttonhole and a bit of ribbing left and then this puppy will be off the needles. [...]