toddler mittens

Baby Joshua has a new carseat - one without a snuggly "bundleme" cover - and winter is coming! He already has a cute winter coat and a hat, but he needed mittens. Solution? Knit some!

Most baby mitten patterns are for thumbless mittens, because little ones aren't yet ready to use their thumbs most of the time. However, my toddler has begun to pick things up with his thumb and first finger, and I'm sure he'd be frustrated if his mittens didn't have a thumb. So, as usual, I've modified a pattern to make it work for us. I started with this pattern, making some changes.

First, I've added some length the the cuff, as an attempt to keep these mittens on Joshua's busy hands. I knitted 20 rows instead of the 8 recommended. This will allow me to fold the cuff over so that it's a bit more snug on his tiny wrist.

Second, I've added a thumb! I knit 8 rows in stockinette stitch after the ribbing. Then, at the beginning of row 9, I took a piece of scrap yarn in the same weight, and knit four stitches with the scrap yarn. I then placed the four new stitches back on the left needle and switched back to the main yarn.

please excuse the poor quality picture from my phone!

This created a thumb hole with 8 live stitches for me to knit later. When I had finished the mitten, I picked up four stitches above and below the scrap yarn, and then knit eight rows in the round. Then I knit two together all the way around, cut the yarn, and drew it through the stitches to finish it off.

Third, I finished off the main part of the mitten with kitchener stitch, rather than by drawing the yarn through the stitches. This way, I created a flatter mitten top.

Finally, I made I-cord to attach the two mittens. I'll thread the mittens through the sleeves of his jacket to keep them from getting separated. I hope this will also keep them on his hands a little longer!

Again, another phone picture.

 What do you think?

Linking up to Sew Much Ado's "We Did it! Wednesday" linky party

finished

yesterday i finished a legwarmer. i had started knitting it a couple weeks ago, and it really felt like it was going to take forever. it turned out cute - gray with light pink and darker sparkly pink polka dots. i've decided that i am tired of changing yarn colors. my next project (which i've already started) involves simply holding two colors together. it's gonna be a cute, extra-soft gray hat for a friend of mine. and it's a welcome break from the polka dots.

this morning i woke up about an hour early - not my favorite thing - but it left me with plenty of snuggle time before i actually had to get a shower. i'm so thankful for my husband and his strong arms that hold me. i feel so comforted, so loved.

on to sparkles - i would normally not do such an outrageously glamorous thing, but i bought a pair of silver ballet flats. and not just silver, but sequined silver. they were $3. how could i resist? they go great with the gray dress pants i'm wearing, and they make my otherwise conservative, classic outfit look special. and not special in a negative way - a very positive, life-filled way.

i have a friend from college who is very blessed. she enjoys an extremely close relationship with God, and often has visions. i'm amazed at the depth of her insights, and at the way that she is so willing to hear and see the spiritual things. her friendship makes me want to know Jesus more, and to know Him in such a real, personal way. lately i've been feeling just comfortable, and i want a change to know that He's still there, that i'm where i need to be. i want a clear purpose, and to have a joy and strength that gets me through each moment. and not just to get through, but to really make a difference in other people's lives. i want to be filled with passion for the truth, i want to enjoy my work, and i want to know for sure that this is the direction i am to take. i want my dreams to make sense; i want to know His will.

am i really supposed to sit here making nearly minimum wage? is this my ministry? will i ever teach public school again? i'm feeling disillusioned. is there going to be grad school for me? and should i even consider it again - or just follow the dream of being a mother - the one thing i've wanted for my whole life? or have i?

Lord, you are my peace. You've established the work of my hands. You provide for all of my needs. And I must be grateful.