Warm Hands

By now you may have heard that we'll be slogging through enjoying six more weeks of winter.  Few of us are happy about this, but it's all a matter of mindset, right?  Why hate so much of the year, so much of your life by being in a winter of discontent?  One must do what one can to get through the cold and dreary months.  One must find a way to be more contented and I am working on "doing as I say"...it's not easy, as you and I know.

A couple of things that have helped me (I still get plenty of bitching complaining in, however) is the iPod (a book or music), a warm pot of excellent tea, painting the pantry a happy color (the job is coming along-more news later), and knitting cozy warm accessories with a wonderful wool.

The one skein of Beaverslide, leftover from Acer, was the perfect choice for my Breathe Deep Mittens.  This lovely pair proves to be a perfect winter accessory to keep the chill off the hands on extra cold days (perfect for walking the boyz).  The wonderfully warm, soft wool also keeps the wet of  melting snow from coming through during snowball fights and looks good while doing so.  The ability of wool to keep the hands warm and dry always amazes me.

The ribbed cuff is fun to do and it works up quickly, but creating the bubble embellishments on the back of the hand was the bigger delight. As soon as one mitten was finished I had to start the next, not only because I wanted to wear them, but because they were such a kick to knit.

Thank you Kirsten for two wonderful projects (Acer and Breathe Deep) and for helping me tackle the winter doldrums in style.

Knitting a quick project, something I can use and enjoy now, gave me a nice sense of accomplishment, a bit of instant gratification, while in the twists and turns of knitting 12 sweaters.  It also may have been just what was needed to make me a true mitten lover!  I've got my eye on another fun pair and I KNOW I'll make it to spring no matter how long it takes to arrive.

Comments

[Julie]

I love those mittens! You next planned pair look fun too. As for six more weeks of winter, I'm not so sure I will survive ;-)

[cindycindy]

I love your mittens. They look so warm and snuggy and is that Jadis you're wearing? I love that sweater. You have the right attitude, grrl. I'm working on mine. Of course, snow looks right and the brown ground is rather drab and dull. I've been perusing seed catalogs for inspiration.

[Carole]

Those are beautiful and on my list, too!

[Ann]

I love the idea of mittens to match a sweater. I love mitten knitting. You can never have too many cute matching mitten and sweater combo's.

[Renee]

Great mitts!

[Kim D.]

Just look at Kirsten's website and I've found a couple pairs of mittens I'd like to whip up. Thanks for the ideas.

As for the weather, I live in the Northwoods, grew up in the mild southwest coast of England (the English Riviera to be exact) and have lived in Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, Chicago and finally the Northwoods of Wisconsin. You'll notice it's gotten progressively colder with each city move, not by choice, but by luck. I say luck because I never run out of fun things to knit to keep me warm. I love a warm fire, hot drink and some knitting in my hands. Love the opportunity to wear multiple hand knits at one time. Love the fact that the kids are so excited to receive hand knits and are often requesting more. One thing I've tried to do wherever i have lived is find the joy in it. The other day it was negative 40 with wind chill out side, the sun (which is hard to imagine in that chill) was shining brightly and the sky was blue (rare for this time of year up here). I was sat on the couch knitting in the warm house and watching the sun sparkling on the beautiful work it had created with ice and snow, and could actually find myself feeling blessed for where I lived and what I had. I've seen those mountains (okay, when there wasn't an inversion) during those wintry months and they are something to take your breath away. Enjoy the inspiration that surrounds you. Sounds like you're trying to do just that.

We can either be inspired by our surroundings or depressed by them. But we can choose. From reading your blog I would say that you most definitely have an artist eye, and will be able to find the inspiration in your cold environment. Knit on, knit yourself warm.

Sorry for the long post, but still be half asleep.

[Chris]

They look great!!

So, will you be hanging out in your new fun-colored pantry all the time after it's painted?

[deb]

Great mittens! Who won the snowball fight?

[Pat K]

I love those mittens and would like to knit some; unfortunately, I would never give them the wear that they deserve. It's already getting into spring temperatures here. Not a good thing, as once again we've had an almost non-existent winter with next to no precipitation. I suppose I could always knit mittens and give them to family members in colder climes, however. But sometimes I wish I could wear all those lovely cold weather knits.

[Kristin]

Oddly, I seem to have my winter blah moment in January - and not in Feb. when everyone else seems to notice it. Is it the blasted groundhog's fault? or am I just ahead of my time?

I'm working on a shawl as my inbetween project! Not exactly quick, but very satisfying.

[Wool Winder]

Gorgeous! These mittens and the next and all the sweaters you're working on will keep you going until spring arrives.

[Katherine]

Is that a side gore on that new pattern? Aaaah, yeah. You need a pair like that. I like 'em better (but they're nowhere near as fun (for me) to knit).

[Norma]

LOVE those mittens! And such a wonderful use of your left-over skein. Just perfect.

[Heather Joins The Round]

Look at you, all cheerful in the depths of winter! Magic mittens!

[Marcia]

I love those mittens....did you notice how the "string" between the "balloons" looks like a braid? Cool! And cool that they match your sweater, too!

[Birdsong]

Your mittens are so lovely! You are such a fashionista, with all these accessories matching handknit sweaters.

[Cheryl S.]

I'm torn between making those mittens, and just designing some with cables to match my sweater. Hmmmmm.

[Nora]

Fabulous mittens! Stay warm - and never believe the Groundhog.

[Hillary]

Those mittens are great. The more I see the pattern, the more they call to me. Stay warm.

[Kristi]

Yay, mittens! I am working on another pair too :)

[Karen]

Gorgeous mittens! I bet they keep your hands nice and toasty!

[Kara]

I can't think of a better way to embrace winter than with those darling mittens.

[Cookie]

Mitten love!

Does the pantry have a theme? Or is happy enough of one? :D

[Knitnana]

They're not just adorable - they're happy! LOVE the color!
(((hugs)))

[Stephanie]

Great mittens. I think February and March are always the hardest months for me because spring is starting to show her face in the more temperate climates and yet here we are destined to many more months of winter gloom. I will take a page out of your book and enjoy the knitting time with wonderful wooly yarns.