Tuesday, March 16, 2010

WIP Wed & knitting for warmth

As I've spent much of the last 2 weeks knitting toys for the kids Easter baskets, I've realized something. Although I thoroughly enjoy being able to supply my kids with handmade toys, even more so when the toys are made by my own hands, I really prefer knitting to provide warmth for their little bodies. There is something distinctly maternal about providing warmth to our children, by feeding them, cuddling them, dressing them appropriately for the seasons. I remember reading this article in the winter edition of Rhythm of the Home, written by Eileen of Little Acorn Learning, about ways to provide both physical and emotional warmth to our kids. Eileen's words resonated so deeply within me, and the longer I thought on them, the more I realized the urgency with which I tackled learning to knit last year. In the year since I took my first knitting lesson, I've made hats galore (each kid got one for both his/her birthday and another for Christmas), 2 sweaters, 2 blankets, a few scarves, and now, mittens.


For these mittens, I chose a super-soft, alpaca/silk blend yarn from Knit Picks and a sweet vintage pattern with cables, which was a first for me.


The yarn and pattern were chosen with Elizabeth in mind, but these mittens decidedly do not fit children as the pattern would lead you to believe. So I have my own pair of mittens now! Elizabeth has chosen this superwash yarn in "dusk" for me to work on this pattern again with smaller needles and tweaking in the length, and hopefully, Elizabeth and I will have matching mittens. Warmth, indeed!



10 comments:

  1. I love the color of those mittens! Very pretty! I know what you mean by providing warmth for our kids. There's nothing I like more than making them nice and cozy!

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  2. Oh so well said Joy!! I feel the same way <3
    Love the mittens!!

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  3. I love knitting too. I just made booties for the first time.

    http://littlebirdvv.blogspot.com/2010/03/finished.html

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  4. so beautiful joy both sentiments and mittens! i love the color so very much!

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  5. Wait, you only started knitting a year ago!?!Wow Joy, now I am triple impressed by your skills!

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  6. I agree...love the color on those babies!!
    Suzy

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  7. You really took to knitting so quickly! I love the mittens.

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  8. Love the purple mittens, beautiful. I agree with your sentiments on warmth :)

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  9. Those mittens are beautiful... I have yet to progress to cables.
    Yes, providing warmth for our children is so very important... if only I could get all of my children to wear slippers, though.
    Warm wishes and joy, Tonya

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  10. Nice to have found your blog! Such nice mittens here too,love the color. One day I will try and knit mittens.. one day

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