As it cools off here in Cleveland, I want to make sure my Mom has something warm on her hands when we take her outside. I had a blast making these mittens for her. The color looks great with her bright blue eyes.
I often wear my hair in a braid down my back. By using the braided cable in the mittens, I’m hoping she’ll be reminded of how much I love her when she wears them.
Because of Mom’s stroke, one hand has problems with swelling. We couldn’t get commercially-made mittens to fit over that hand. I’m grateful I can knit, so I could make the mitten for that hand wider. A nice custom fit!
In the process of making these, I found another handy use for lifelines. I’ve used them in lace projects, but it only now dawns on me that they’re a good way to mark the beginning of shaping for mittens’ tops and socks’ toes. I put the lifeline in when I thought the mitten was long enough, then proceeded with shaping the top. The mitten was still too short. I measured the deficiency so I’d know how much extra knitting would be needed. Fixing the problem was a simple matter of ripping back to the lifeline, knitting the extra length that I had already measured, then shaping the top again. Perfect!
I used Rowan’s Lima yarn. It’s mostly baby alpaca, with some merino wool and nylon mixed in. I liked the yarn’s woven construction.
One of these days I’d like to make a simple turtleneck from this yarn. It’ll help me make that mental shift from California to (brrr) Ohio!
Very clever use of a lifeline. And very sweet of you to think of the hair braid/braided glove. What a lovely shade of blue!
Beautiful mitts for your mom. It’s starting to get pretty cold so I know she’ll appreciate them. You’re a good daughter.
I like how you picked the braided design to remind your mom of your hair. What a wonderful touch! I’m sure she’ll love them.
How cool, I’m making a pair of very similar mittens for my mom too! They’re lovely!
I have never seen that woven yarn before, very cool. I also love the design of your mitten.
Do you sell the pattern for braided mitten? Where?
I don’t sell the pattern for the braided mittens…yet. It’s in the queue, and since you’ve expressed an interest it gives me reason to get working on it. I LOVE feedback from my readers! Look for the pattern in the fall. Thank you.
Would love for you to share the pattern with me,they are just lovely.
You. are also a lovely daughter to do this for her,
Hi Bernie. You’re reading my mind! I will be coming out with this pattern – possibly in one of my next books, or as a standalone pattern. My mom adores these. Thank you!