Christmas Mittens

Mittens for C's mother. These are taken from Nancy Bush's pattern "Liidia's Gloves" in Folk Knitting in Estonia. I thought mittens were more appropriate for the giftee, plus it's easier to assume mittens will fit someone far away than gloves might, without proper measurements. I'd hoped to knit pairs for everyone on my list, but these are the first off the needles! Maybe next year.

Satakieli, size 0 dpns

Cuff detail:
These employ a two-color braided cast-on (black & white) and feature two Kihnu Vits braids, in black & red.

I love this pattern--clean and classic. I was worried they might be too small, but as I was finishing knitting and imagining creating mitten blockers out of wire clothes hangers (I know it can be done, but didn't want to try) I remembered the pointy ends of my sock blockers and they worked perfectly!

Circular Aran

Finally, some photos of my circular Aran. I love this sweater. This is from EZ's leaflet #6, spring 1961, republished in The Opinionated Knitter. What a fun pattern to knit--as EZ wrote, "Things Happen every sixth round," otherwise, it is smooth sailing.

Having knit the various cables and blackberries on a swatchcap really helped me get the right fit. Instead of a crewneck I knit a slight cowl neck, carrying some of the cables on the back up the back of the neck. Meg Swansen's "Cardigan Details" video provided great tips on the neck opening.



I couldn't be happier!



Details: wool, Cottage Craft on wooden size 5's

Now for a Bog Jacket like Jessica's (after I finish some holiday knitting--photo tomorrow).