Hello everybody! I’ve been feeling a little better lately. I’ve even begun to knit again. I’m trying to catch up on knitting obligations, but then – impulse strikes and out of the blue I knit myself fingerless mitts.
If you follow me on instagram you know I went to the beach a few days ago while my darling dog Leelee was in town. Although it was warm and sunny, the breeze made it cool enough for me to wish for a pair of mitts. I guess that’s what happened.
In a perfect world I want a really stellar photo. It’s raining today, I don’t have a car and to go to the nearest beach is a soggy proposition. I wanted a nice yachty, salty, beachy image. But I decided I wouldn’t let that stop me and I published Maritime Mitts to Ravelry anyway. Mitts Ahoy!
Another thought … my friend Janet and I were discussing KALs and how it would be nice to have a summer one and she mentioned mitts as a perfect project.
• quick to knit
• easy to carry along
• stash-buster
• interesting to knit
• perfect for gift giving
• some folks even need them in the summer – I certainly do!
So why not? Are any of you game? Edited to say – YES! We’re doing a Maritime Mitt KAL! #maritimemittsKAL Begin June 1, details in my Ravelry group.
This is me last summer at Giant’s Stairs on Bailey Island. Shortly after this picture was taken I went in! One of the best swims I’ve ever had…but after leaving the water I needed mitts!
Maritime Mitts deets:
Finished Size About 7½ inches in circumference and 6¾ inches tall.
For larger or smaller mitts, change your needle size accordingly.
Yarn Quince & Co. Lark 100% Wool 134yds [123m/50g]; MC – Pea Coat (Navy), CC – Egret (White), 1 skein each. Requires around 109 yds [100m] MC and 55 yds [50m] CC.
Needles Double pointed needles; US 3 (3.25mm) for ribbing and stripes ,US 4 (3.5mm) for colorwork section. Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.
Instructions are written for using dpns in the round, magic loop method is also fine if that is your preferred method for working in the round.
For help with using the waste yarn in the Thumb Placement, see my tutorial Waste Yarn What Yarn? For help with the Thumbs, see my tutorial All Thumbs.
I am definitely game for a mitt KAL! Let’s do it!
Yay! Janet started a thread in my Ravelry group. We’ll officially begin June 1st.
~ Oh, YES !! perfect idea. I made the Wabi mitts, by Karen Templer, well, actually I knit one so far,…and I’m sewing my old girl scout badges on the top cuff ! * I wasn’t in girl scouts long enough to sew them onto the sash ! (I liked Brownies far better.) *
“What did you do on your Summer vacation Shell ?”
“I went on a pretend trip to Maine and sewed my girl scout badges to knit mitts !!!”
… kind of like making up my own Mitts Camp idea, … super power mitts !
Toymaking power, Hospitality power, First aid, … funny.
~ Yes, indeed. Maritime Mitts is exactly what I need on my pretend trip to Maine. ~
(and then I’ll need them once I’m there for real. 🙂
A beautiful image of you on Bailey Island. My children’s after-school knitting club was pen-pals with the Mighty Harpswell Knitters Club on Bailey Island years ago !
Glad you’re feeling well to knit.
Best,
Shell ~
I love pretend trips! I also think we should all get badges, and I am sure yours look sensational on your Fringe Mitts. I liked Brownies best too. Who knew knitting groups had pen pals, what a great idea! The Giant’s Stairs are sensational! Good knitting spot. We need a special badge for knitting there.
~ Oh, hello Mary Jane,
>> yay ! for Brownies. << I am looking to find the orange, 1960's Brownie Handbook.
I have my troop number 369 from Vermont. Yes, I have a great idea about the badges. Your ocean knitting spot certainly equals a fantastic badge.
We had a great time being pen-pals with the Island children. I have always loved old fashioned letter writing, the paper, the artsy postage stamps, decorating the envelopes, all of it. I'm a transplant to WI, so it was fun to let the children "meet" knitters from other places.
I should write to the school again & see if they still have a knitting club. Since we've been pen-pals, I likely taught over 500 children to knit, working at four elementary schools and one middle school. One year I had six classes per week ! It was quite a magical time. Everyone knew me as the Knitting Lady, as I biked around town with yarn tied to my bike basket !! Now I have small group lessons. … I'm still the Knitting Lady. I am putting together several book ideas about teaching children. I believe my inspiration of wanting to teach came from my Brownie Troop leader, Marianna.
Mitts KAL, … yes !
I think I’ll use Kenzie Hikoo yarn. I have a yellow ochre, or moss green, like the moss on the Maine rocks and an off white, all heathered.
Thanks for the inspiration, loVe your pattern.
Best,
Shell ~
Sounds like a great idea. This will give me more practice after my SSK 2015 clases that I took with you! Peggy
Yay!!! Maritime Mitts will be a great next step…and a KAL is always nice too keep you motivated and for help if you need some. June 1 will be the start date and it will end August 1. Yippee!!!
So glad you are better. Would you like books? I am close. Happy to bring you a nice bag of them. (How many people have a personal librarian-cum-bookmobile at the rescue?)
Hey MJ! So glad you’re on the mend. Sending hugs and hot tea and cold water for you. These mitts are perfect! <3I need to make these for my oldest son!
Mary Jane, I am a big fan of mittens. Would you be offended if I put a spiral top on and closed up the thumbs?