mittens

Overwinter Tam and Mittens

Posted on by Virginia
Overwinter Tam and Mittens

Briggs and Little Heritage is a workhorse yarn from Canada’s oldest woolen mill. It’s hearty and wonderful for keeping you toasty when the temperature drops!

This pattern is suitable for the knitter with experience reading a chart and stranded colorwork.

Overwinter Tam

The hat will fit an average adult, with a head circumference of 19-23”
Hat circumference (unstretched): 22”
Height from brim to crown: 9.25”

Overwinter Tam and Mittens

To block a tam, dry over an inverted dinner plate perched over a vase or mixing bowl.

I used one skein each of Fundy Fog and Plum. One skein each will make both the Overwinter Tam and the matching Overwinter Mittens.

Overwinter Tam and Mittens

Heritage is carried at Woolly Thistle here. This is an affiliate link and I will receive a portion of the sales at no additional cost to you. It is a lovely way to support my work, thank you.

Heritage is also available directly from Maritime Family Fiber.

Buy tam pattern on Ravelry
Buy tam pattern on Etsy
Buy mitten pattern on Ravelry
Buy mitten pattern on Etsy

Minneapolis Mitts

Posted on by Virginia

Minneapolis Mitts

You can’t beat Cascade 220 as a workhorse yarn with all it’s lovely colors, but I knew right away I wanted to design a fingering weight version of my Montreal Mitts in something with more refinement, a bit more urban panache.

Minneapolis Mitts

I am a big fan Spud & Chloë Fine with it’s saturated colors, and hint of sheen from that 20% silk. It has a nice firm twist making it sturdier then you might expect. The fabric has a nice, plump density that is very satisfying, so it came right to mind for Minneapolis Mitts. It has generous yardage, therefore one skein each of three colors will certainly make multiple pairs of mitts.

Minneapolis Mitts

These work up fast and would make great gifts for your buddies. I picked three of my favorite colors, but I might need to try more combinations for myself!

Minneapolis Mitts

A Good Week for My Hands and Feet

Posted on by Dan

Among some projects finished these last couple of days, Virginia made a pair of mittens and socks that deserve some blog time (obviously, every project should get a mention, but my track record lately has not been good).

Vespergyle Mittens

These “Vespergyle Mittens” are from a pattern by Elinor Brown, knit using Spindrift. I really admire the argyle and stripe combination. And, of course, the Spindrift is such a cozy yarn for this sort of thing.

Vespergyle Mittens

I am happy to say they are big enough to fit my hands, so there will likely be a race to the mitten bin every time we head outside.

Vespergyle Mittens

I’m also the happy recipient of this early-Valentine’s gift. A pair of “Tweed Socks.”

Tweed Socks

These are knit from a pattern by Marilyn Morgan, in the book Socks, Socks, Socks, using several types of yarn, including Jawoll and Socka. The slipped-stitch pattern really dress up these socks, and I can already envision these paired with dark brown khakis and cardigan.

Tweed Socks

Like I said, it’s a good week for my hands and feet.

Much Knitting

Posted on by Dan

Virginia has been determined to finish off a bunch of projects that have been on the needles for a little while (of course “little while” is a relative term – for me, it might mean months and months, for her, just long enough to start impeding on the creative process). Nevertheless, I’ve hardly had a chance to keep up with the blog posts, so this one will showcase three of the projects most recently finished.

But, before we go in to that, I also want to say thanks for all the encouraging and thoughtful comments and messages re. my last post. I can’t say it enough, it really does make a difference getting through difficult periods knowing there are people who genuinely care about you.

Now, on to the knitting…

Handknit Mittens

These mittens are knit using a combination of Rowan Kidsilk Haze and Fleece Artist 2/6 Merino. The pattern is Theresa Gaffey’s mitten pattern #49.

Pure and Simple Henley (255)

I’m happy to benefit from so much great knitting. This sweater, Pure and Simple Henley, is made with Misty Alpaca Chunky (it is unbelievably soft, not to mention warm).

Magnolia Sweater

For herself, Virginia knit this Kim Hargreaves design (Magnolia, from Rowan Vintage Knits). She used a combination of Kidsilk Haze and Kid Classic.

Magnolia Sweater

That’s it for now. There are several more projects lining up in the cue – not to mention a sweater that I’ve been knitting on for almost two years. If I can just finish that button band…

House Favorites

Posted on by Dan

You’ve seen both of these make appearances on ScratchCraft multiple times, but in different forms. The beautiful thing is that there is no limit to the types of combinations available for us to make and sample. I’m talking about mittens and I’m talking about pies. Virginia likes making the former and I the latter.

She just finished making Charlene Schurch’s “Pattern 1” from the book Mostly Mittens.

Mittens (Pattern 1)

These are knit with some lovely yarn by Simply Shetland. It’s their Lambswool and Cashmere blend – super soft, super warm, perfect for keeping hands cozy.

Mittens (Pattern 1)

I prefer taking a more indirect approach to keeping ourselves cozy and warm. It starts with a few basic ingredients, then add some heat, serve with tea.

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

Winter seems to be dragging on in Minnesota, and for everyone bemoaning the fact that Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow (meaning another 6 weeks of winter), I say, “If only we could be so lucky.” It’s going to be awhile before Summer rolls around. In the meantime, Strawberry Rhubarb pie (made without refined sugar, of course) does the trick.

So, really, these are not just house favorites, but house necessities. And, ones we’ll continue to make and enjoy for awhile.

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