Barefoot Shepherdess

Simple Wristwarmers

Just your basic wristwarmers with dark bronze beads on linen-colored yarn.  Made for a custom request.

I usually prefer my beads to blend in more with my yarn, so that they are visible in some lights and almost disappear in others.  But I really like the contrast on this one.  Perhaps it works because there are so few beads-- they aren't overly assertive, but keeps the wristwarmers from becoming too plain.

I wonder what an additional row or two of beads-- maybe in staggered rows-- would look like.  Whatever the case, another instance of less is more.

:: Mint & Cream ::

The wooly kind.  With a bit of sparkle.

I know autumn is really here when I start to feel the urge to knit.  You could call it my seasonal crafting cycle.  There's nothing more comforting than the touch of soft, cozy wool and the repetitive, rhythmic movement of the knitting needles to fill a quiet, autumn evening.  Add a cup of hot cocoa and a warm blanket to that, and one could almost wish for cool weather all year round.

To satisfy my knitting side, I made another pair of wristwarmers.  I usually prefer to pair my yarn and beads in analogous colors; this time, I decided to try a little contrast-- pale mint beads with a hint of gold on cream-colored wool.  Turned out to be a fresh, cool combination, I think!

These were made for my shop-- you can find them here.

Ash + Charcoal

Finished these some time ago, but only now realized I never blogged about them.  Another pair of striped wristwarmers, this time in alpaca/wool blend yarns.  Two shades of grey-- sophisticated neutrals to go with just about anything.  Just the thing to keep one toasty & warm as this winter wears on and on...

You can find these at my shop here.

False Start

I whipped up the first glove in no time at all...  But no sooner had I finished than I realized that the fit was all wrong.  In my rush to get it done quickly, I misread the directions and increased the thumb gusset incorrectly so that it became unnaturally long.  And this, despite checking the fit on the intended hand multiple times.

Carelessness?  Fatigue?  Probably both.

So now, this is all that's left of it--

For a few crazy moments, I considered grafting these fingers onto a new hand-- how skilled I would feel!-- but when I weighed the possible complications of the process and the frustrations of an imperfect join against the dull repetitiveness of re-knitting them, the latter won out.

I started again--very cautiously, this time-- and finally have two hands with a couple of fingers each.  By the time I'm done, I will have knit 16 fingers (because I made another mistake and had to re-knit one again)... yikes!  I think I've had my fill of them for a season.

Happy Stripes

Ever since the weather started to cool, I've been working on a series of handknit wristwarmers for my shop.  These are the second pair of grey beaded ones, finished just last week.  Meanwhile, it got colder and colder here...  When I finally looked up, I realized that a pair of cold little hands were patiently waiting for something to keep them warm.

Feeling a bit sheepish, I set aside the shop work and began on a pair of gloves for Alex.  Simple, but playful-- that was the look I wanted.  In my stash, I found this solid blue yarn (the first sock yarn I ever purchased, actually!) and a colorful, variegated one that combined, looked nice together.  As you know, I'm generally not a fan of variegated yarns-- but sandwiched between a solid color in stripes like this, I think its effect is softened and subdued so that it serves as a good accent instead.

Whatever the case, it's gotten an enthusiastic approval already... accompanied too, by a constant "Is it done yet??"  Maybe tomorrow...?

Little Wristwarmers

After watching me make all those wristwarmers, Alex decided he needed one too.  With beads.  So I made him a pair from leftover yarn and beads I had from the ones I made for myself several years ago.  It turned out rather cute, I think!

For wrists as tiny as his and with so few beads besides, the wristwarmers were super-fast to knit.  It made good use of the leftovers too-- I ended up with barely a meter of yarn and a few spare beads.  And can you tell?  Alex was really very pleased.

It was a happy project all around... and now we have coordinating mother-son wristwarmers!

In Burgundy

Another pair-- this time, in a deep, rich burgundy.  The yarn is the same silk/wool/nylon blend as for the cream-colored pair.  It's my favorite choice for wristwarmers as the silk gives them an elegant sheen and softness, while the wool provides ample warmth, and the bit of nylon adds strength against wear.  The addition of silk also reduces the hairiness of 100% wool, so that the resulting fabric is smooth & luxurious, suitable even for those with sensitive skin.

It's a perfect companion for the upcoming holiday season too, whether you're out running errands, shopping with friends, or spending an evening out.

These wristwarmers are now at my shop here.

Warmth

...in the form of wristwarmers.

Yes, I did finish these!  In fact, they were done some time ago, but I just got around to photographing them now.  I really like the monochromatic effect of cream on cream-- the beads seem to almost disappear in certain lights & angles and materialize again in others.  They add a lovely, subtle sparkle without being too much that way.

For being so small and unassuming, wristwarmers do an amazing job of keeping you warm.  I made a pair a few years ago and have been wearing them every autumn/winter since, grabbing them much more often than my gloves or mittens.  I find it really convenient that they leave my fingers free to handle my wallet, train pass, cell phone and other fine maneuvers.

They're equally great for wearing at home, especially since it can get pretty cold in the house here in the wintertime as we don't have a heater in every room.  Or even the summer-- many shops around town can be simply frigid with super-strength air conditioning.

And they make a pretty accessory too.  Wouldn't it be nice to have in a variety of colors...?

So I made another--

Same design, but a darker version this time.  It was fun to see how changing the color completely altered the mood of the wristwarmers.  The cream version seems feminine, delicate and fit for a princess; the grey version, cool & sophisticated, suited to a fashionista.  At least, those are my impressions of them anyway!

Since I already have a worn, but favorite pair, I've made these available at my shop here.  And since I really enjoy making them-- it's a wonderful excuse to play with beads-- I'm working on another too.  So do keep checking in!

ETA: The grey pair is already on its way to a new home, but the cream pair is still there.

And Just Like That...

I started knitting again.

 

As the seasons move from one to the next, I too, like to move from one craft/material to the next to suit that change.  And when the cooler, autumnal air moved in last week, it left me yearning for some wool & knitting needles.  On a moment's whim, I picked them up over the weekend and found that they felt 'right' in my hands-- so familiar and comforting, like an old friend.  And with a sick child in the house, there was a good amount of knitting time too, to keep me going.  There's no promises on finishing anything though-- for now, I just want to enjoy the soothing process of knitting.

Autumn Wristwarmers

This past weekend, I took a much-needed time-out from dyeing and spinning to do what I've started to miss very much: knitting!  I didn't know exactly what I wanted to make, but I knew I didn't want to commit to a big project.  Looking through my stash for inspiration, I found a tiny ball of naturally-dyed yarn, a souvenir from a sheep to shawl class I took some years ago where I first learned about natural dyeing.  The pretty autumn shades called out to me, and I immediately knew what I wanted:

A simple pair of wristwarmers.  I just cast on 15 stitches using a provisional cast-on method and worked in garter stitch, slipping the first stitch of every row as if to purl.  I kept going until it was long enough to go around my wrist, then grafted the two ends together.  Easy!

It looks like I've finished them just in time, too.  The weather has suddenly cooled down here, and these will keep me warm during my daily trips to the park with Alex.