Barefoot Shepherdess

B E I G E

Here's another project in the familiar favorite category--

I made another pair of simple handknit wristwarmers for my shop, this time in a light, springy beige.  Usually by this time of the year, I'm not as interested in knitting... but not so this year.  The weather continues to be unseasonably cold here, so I haven't even been able to put away my overcoat yet!  It's hard to believe that April is just around the corner.

On these cold evenings, it's nice to have some simple knitting on hand.  There's something really cozy and comforting about having a blanket and a ball of yarn on my lap to keep me warm...

And after a few quiet evenings, I ended up with a completed pair.  It's nice when working & relaxing can go hand in hand like this!

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.

Striped Gloves

Or I prefer to think of them as dawn/dusk gloves.  Because that's what they remind me of: peering through the blinds first thing in the morning when light begins to illuminate all the myriad colors of the daytime and then towards evening, when those same colors slowly fade away to darkness.  Though they don't match exactly due to the long color repeat of the variegated yarn, I don't mind it one bit.  I rather like it like this, as a companion pair.

These actually have been done for a little while now, but as soon as the gloves were off the needles, they were in constant use.  So much so, in fact, that they had to be washed before this photoshoot.  That turned out to be a good thing though-- the yarns softened up nicely and the gloves, especially the fingers, seem to conform to the hands better now.

And I must really like stripes on Alex's knits.  Or maybe I think it makes things boyish.  In looking back, I realized that I made mittens for him two years ago and the year before with stripes too.  Oh, and did you notice?  He's gone from having no fingers to two (thumbs) to all ten fingers now.  How quickly they grow!

I'm hoping these will last a couple of years... but if not, I still have plenty of both yarns to make a larger, identical pair.  For details on these gloves, please visit my Ravelry page 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...?

Before I Knew It...

...the holidays were over and the new year had arrived.  Somehow, I didn't feel like crafting so much during that time-- nor did I, from the looks of it, feel like blogging either.  But I did find myself relaxing with a favorite pastime--

In the hectic routine of everyday life, I had fallen out of the habit of reading and sadly, forgotten how much I enjoy it.  But I knew I was missing something...  When the holidays came around, all I wanted were a few good books and the time to read them.  Spending an evening reading is a luxury I usually don't have time for, so it felt like a lovely indulgence.  With life back to normal, I'm having a hard time setting it aside again, though now I'm determined to make a little time for it every day.

There was some knitting in there too, just for a bit of variety.  And a nice cup of hot cocoa.  What better way to start off the new year?

~  Happy 2011!  ~

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.