Monday, December 27, 2010

Thumbless Baby Mitts

I guess I must be one of Santa's helpers because I'm still making gifts. I'm becoming addicted to hats of all things. They quick and easy enough to make on a whim. Since I was off today and certainly got bored, or rather suffered from withdrawal, I had to find something to make. So I came up with Thumbless Mitts for one of my nieces. She's just 6 months so thumbs really are not necessary yet. I combined info from toe up socks, hats and top down socks and mittens to come up with these little cuties. It's a really versitile that can use pretty much any stitch but I wanted fpdc to match the Reversible Strands Hat for Men pattern by Nancy Smith.
































I think just about any yarn weight will work for these mitts as well but you may have to do a few more rows of increases. I haven't tried it yet but I think that it would be as simple as this:
inc every 4th st, inc every 5th st and so forth. Then reduce back down to for the wrist. I eyeballed this all thing so my niece hasn't even tried these on yet but it looks like they will fit. If they're too big, no problem.
Thumbless Baby Mitts
Materials:
I used a very small amount Caron Rainbow Tones (Country Rose) but any worsted weight yarn will do. Experiment with other yarn weights!
H crochet hook
Yarn needles for weaving in ends
Notes: Work first stich in same stitch where you joined when working sc rows.

Mitt
Chain 4
Rnd 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and each across (3sc). Working on opposite side of chain, sc in next 3sc for a total of 6sc, join with a sl st and ch 1.
Rnd 2: work 2 fpdc in each sc. join with a sl st and ch 1 (12 dc)
Rnd 3: Work even, join with a sl st and ch 1
Rnd 4: *dc in the 1st st, 2dc in the next st. Rep from * around. join with a sl st and ch 1 (18 dc)
Rnd 5: Work even, join with a sl st and ch 1
Rnd 6: Work dc in the 1st dc, 2 dc in the next. Work 2 dc in every 3rd st around. Dc in the last st. join with a sl st and ch 1 (24dc)
Rnd 7-13: Work even (24dc)

Wrist
Rnd 14-15: Sc in each stitch.
Rnd 16: Dec 3 sts evenly spaced (21 dc)
Rnd 17: Hdc in each st (21 hdc)
Rnd 18-20: Work fphdc in each sts around (21 fphdc)
Finish off.

I'm not a designer so I can't guarantee that this pattern is perfect but I hope it is.
Keep stitchin'

Friday, December 24, 2010

24 gifts in 24 days!

Well I haven't posted in some time but I think I'm about to make up for it today. I decided to make a gift a day up to December 24th which is my birthday. This came about as the result of someone asking me if a snowman was a gift to me. I told her it's just decoration for the holidays but it got me to thinking it would be a hoot to make a gift a day for my birthday. I know some folks who celebrate their birthday for an entire week leading up to their birthday or maybe just that weekend of their birthday. I decided to take it a step further and do the whole month just as a challenge for myself.
I actually set rules for this challenge:
  • All gifts are to be handmade (knit/crochet, sew)
  • Absolutely no yarn purchases, only use yarn from my stash can be used
  • Only supplies like beads, buckles, fabric for linings. buttons and others accessories can be purchased
  • Multiple gifts can be completed simutaneously in order to ensure a posting for everyday (I feel short a couple of days)
  • In the event of a missed posting two must be posted the next day to make up for it
  • Even fugly gifts counts (we has received those on occassion)
  • For the actual date of birth there most be a spectacular gift for my special day.

These are the rules I set for myself because I've never done this before. This was merely a challenge to myself to see if I could produce. I was late posting a couple of times because I was out late for appointments or family obligations. Most of the work could only be done in the evenings because I can't knit/crochet and work at the same time, though I'd love to.

My list of gifts:

  1. Bejai’s Shivers the Snowman
  2. Bejai’s Diamond Dishcloth
  3. Facial scrubbie
  4. Facial Scrubbie 2
  5. Red and White Bookmarker
  6. Blissful Cowl
  7. Cup Cozy #1
  8. Deep Blue Sea cup cozy
  9. Bejai’s Smidge Headband
  10. Blissful Simple Slouchy Beret
  11. Simple Slouch Beret 2nd try
  12. Scrubbie ryg
  13. My Breast Cancer tassel Bookmark
  14. My Breast Cancer Heart Bookmark
  15. Bejai’s Kerstboom Christmas Tree
  16. Bejai’s Glass Flip Flop
  17. My Breast Cancer Peephole Cover Medallion
  18. Lace Ponytail Holder
  19. My Breast Cancer Car Medallion
  20. Bucket List Ponytail Holder
  21. Bejai’s Holiday Ornament Dove
  22. Bejai’s bobble beauty hat
  23. Bobble Cowl
  24. Happy Birthday Tunic
What I learned from this is that I'm more than content crocheting and knitting as a hobby but I don't think I'd like being forced to meet deadlines, especially if it means something new everyday.


Keep stitchin'