Yesterday, while knitting on something else, I received a text from Nicole:
Mittens
It’s a good thing she didn’t ask “Have you ever made mittens?” because I had not but . . I knew I COULD!
That text began a search on Ravelry for mitten patterns. So many of the patterns were either for babies or for size 2-4. I ended up using Another Pair of Mittens and making them a bit smaller.
By bedtime, I had mittens made.
Mittens
I’m also making a pair without thumbs, which may be much easier for her to wear. The ones with the thumbs may be a little big and may work better for her next winter. I will send both pairs to Nicole and wait for her to give me suggestions before making more. She can let me know which ones work best and if they need to be smaller or larger and then I’ll make several pairs. Actually, I’m going to make three mittens so if she loses one, she will still have a “pair”. They’re so quick and easy to make and she needs granny made mittens instead of storebought mittens! 🙂
Helen Koenig1 says
Suggestion – also run a LONG piece of yarn from one mitten to the other so that Nicole can thread the string and mittens through the sleeves of the jacket. Little ones are notorious for SOMEHOW prying those things off their hands when you aren’t looking – and they vanish FAST! and FREQUENTLY! (record held by dd who when we were moving not only tossed out MY open window – she was in the back – all the hair curlers – mine, my engagement ring – I was divorced, and ONE of each pair of mittens she owned – she owned 6 or 8 pair of mittens – THAT was before I figured out that she was entirely too quiet and looked back to check on her!)
JudyL says
That’s a great idea when they’re older but she’s still a baby and I don’t want anything that she could get wrapped around her neck. I will begin doing that once she’s a bit older.
Evelyn Starfishy says
I don’t know what my Mom used on our mittens to keep them attached to our coat sleeves, but they were like double suspender clips with about 2″ of elastic between the 2 sets. 1 set clipped on the jacket, the other on the mitten. They were great!
Helen Koenig1 says
There are also little grippie things on elastic that will grip on to the sleeves of the jacket and on to the gloves or mittens. Usually you can find these in the baby department. Otherwise – think of bed sheets and the grippy things that hold the sheet corners and sides together. OR baby diaper pins.
Honestly – I don’t like EITHER of these – the pins and grippy things can leave holes or rips in the jacket (and sometimes in mittens). PLUS the baby safety pins – even though protected supposedly from being opened by little hands, definitely can be by little determined minds and hands that want to know how they work!
(ask me how I know! My son believed for years that the only way to wear a jacket was with gouged up cuffs from the grippy thingies! and my legal ward – age 8 would “worry” them off of her jacket and mitten – first chance she got!
Barbara says
It’s fabulous you found a quick and easy project for Addie! Of course she needs mittens made by Grandma.
My aunt was a knitter, and I always had a pair or two of hand knit mittens. Knitting mittens was my only interest in learning to knit. I tried it, did fairly well, but found I don’t like knitting.
Lynne in Hawaii says
I agree with Helen’s suggestion. It keeps the mittens readily available with her coat. She can wear or not wear as she wishes, but it really helps keep the mittens from being lost.
Toni in TN says
You can also buy clips with elastic to keep mittens together. One clip goes on the mitten and the other clips to the coat sleeve. That way if they take off the mitten it is still attached. Check with LL bean.
Evelyn Starfishy says
That is what we had when we were little – I recommend those too!
Lee Ann L. says
I loved the mittens my gram made and sent to us. She even made socks and I loved each pair she made — wore them out!
Judy H says
You don’t have to buy those clips made specifically for mittens – they have bags of similar clips that are made for keeping sheets in place on a mattress, and they’re a lot less. They are a little longer, though….
I think you’re the fastest knitter I’ve ever come across!
Evelyn Starfishy says
Oh Judy – you do make me laugh! I had a good chuckle at your phone text and then your explanation that while you had never actually made mittens before, you knew you could! When I was in 2nd grade, my 2nd grade teachers Mother made all of the kids in the class a pair of mittens for Christmas. That pair of mittens were in my family for years, through many hand-me-downs.
Wendy Johnson says
I always knit an I-cord to attach to my grandkids mittens to run through the sleeves of their jackets. They are older than Addie but it has saved them loosing their mittens more than once.
Janice Newcomb says
Your Abby is a lucky little girl 🙂
PegD says
Judy, I love the mittens. I learned to crochet in July from a Craftsy class and it’s all your fault. I have so much fun watching what you are knitting so I started looking at yarn too and decided I needed some. Sigh, I have purchased a good lot from a few stores but now since my confidence level is up I just put in my first order with Loopy Ewe. I’m going to learn to knit next year after I get all my crochet projects handled. 🙂 Thanks for all you do.
Sharon in Michigan says
Judy, Nice mittens 🙂 Smart idea, making 3 in case one gets lost – like that would ever happen! I finished a pair for myself yesterday – first pair, self-taught – yours look much, much nicer than mine! Those mittens will give years of memories for Addie. You’re such a good Gramma!
Bett says
My mom always knit my mittens and I would ask if she would make the wrist longer so they wouldn’t come “untucked”. I would put the mittens on then my coat. My wrists were always warm and dry and the cold air couldn’t get up my sleeves.
shirley bruner says
Awwww…that is just so sweet. I love that Nicole can just ask you for things and you follow through. Addie is so lucky to have you for a granny.
Judy S says
Thanks for the mitten link. Perfect timing!
Brandy M. says
Adorable! She’ll be so cute in her handmade mittens!!! What a treat from Granny!
🙂
Marsha says
What fun making little mittens! Maybe Nicole could draw around Addie’s little hands so you would have an idea of the size, plus you would have the outline of her cute little hands to hold and look at!
JudyL says
Great idea! Thanks!
Penny says
nice job on the mittens! I love knitting them for my grandchildren and adult family members, too!
I still am looking for a good suggestion on how to not have gaps when I pickup and attach the yarn to knit the thumb. There must be an easy way – I just haven’t found it yet! any ideas anyone? Love knitting mittens in the round – still chicken to knit socks! have a good day.