Accomplished so far this week!

After a weekend get away and a very lazy day yesterday I sat last night and finished a very simple and easy hat and mitten set that I hope will fit the little girl next door for her birthday next week.  The mittens are the basic pattern that I use.  Instead of doing a cuff off ribbing I used the main blue to cast on and then knit one row before adding the eyelash.  I knit 2 inches and then knit 5 rows of stocking stitch before starting the thumb gusset.  The hat is just a very simple rolled brimmed hat and did the embellishing on the brim the same as the mittens.  For the trim on the top of the hat, instead of gathering the top stitches and sewing them, I used each one and casted on 18 to 21 stitches then casted them off. 

Today I sat for a few hours and sorted through all of my yarn.  I save all the bags that we get our sheets and comforters in!  They have zippers and are see through.  I made 3 piles.......

To go to a local daycare to see what they can use.  What they can't will be donated

Might list some of this on eBay

My keep pile....yikes

Sunday.......

One quiet and lazy afternoon and one evening with a Sister Wives Marathon equals some creativity!!

Toddler Mittens..an Easy 4 Needle Pattern

I have taken 3 or 4 different patterns that I have tried and put together a pattern of my own that I like.  I think that mittens for kids should have nice long cuffs.  There is nothing I hate more than seeing kids playing and their little wrists are turning red from the cold because the sleeve of their jackets ride up and the mittens aren't long enough.
Here is what I have come up with!  Enjoy!!

These were knit using 2 3/4mm needless and a 4 ply worsted, I think it was Red Heart and they were knit for a little guy who is 14 months old.  I have no idea what the gauge is, but they fit him.

Cuff
Cast on 36 stitches and divided evenly on 3 needles.  Join being careful not to twist and work 2 inches in K1P1 ribbing.

Row 1   -Knit
Row 2   -knit
Row 3   -K1 P1 K3 P1 Knit to end of row
Row 4   -Repeat Row 3
Row 5   -Repeat Row 4
Row 6   -K1 P1 *M1 K1 M1 P1 Knit to end of row
Row 7   -K1 P1 K5 P1 Knit to end of row
Row 8   -Repeat row 7
Row 9   -K1 P1 M1 K3 M1 P1 Knit to end of row
Row 10 -K1 P1 K7 P1 Knit to end of row
Row 11 -Repeat Row 10
Row 12 -K1 P1 M1 K5 M1 P1 Knit to end of row
Row 13 -K1 P1 K9 P1 Knit to end of row
Row 14 -Repeat row 13
Row 15 -K1 P1 M1 K7 M1 P1 Knit to end of row
Row 16 -K1 P1 K9 P1 Knit to end of row
Row 17 -Repeat row 16 (44 stitches in total)


Row 18 -Knit 2 stitches slip the next 11 onto a stitch holder **Cast On 3 stitches and knit to the end of the row
Continue knitting the hand until it is 3 1/2 inches from the top of the ribbing.


To shape the top
Row 1  -(S1 K1 PSSO K4) repeat to the end of the row(30 stitches)
Row 2  -Knit
Row 3  -Knit
Row 4  -(S1 K1 PSSO K3)repeat to the end of the row(24 stitches)
Row 5  -Knit
Row 6  -(S1 K1 PSSO K2) repeat to the end of the row(18 stitches)
Row 7  -Knit
Row 8  -(S1 K1 PSSO K1) repeat to the end of the row(12 stitches)
Row 9  -(S1 K1 PSSO ) repeat to the end of the row(6 stitches)
Break the yarn and thread it through the remaining stitches, pull it tightly and slip it through the top and fasten and work in the tail.

To make the thumb Pick up the 11 stitches off the holder and pick up 5 more stitches around the thumb opening.  Divide these stitches onto 3 needles and knit until the thumb measures 1 inch (about 12 rows) on the inside of the thumb.  To shape the top of the thumb
Row 1 -(K2tog) repeat to end of row(8 stitches)
Row 2 -Knit
Row 3 -(K2tog) repeat to end of row(4 stitches)
Break the yarn and thread it through the remaining stitches, pull it tightly and slip it through the top and this is where I like to to be sure there a no holes.  If there is I weave the tail and fix any holes where the cold might get in.  Fasten the yarn and weave in the ends.



*M1 slip a stitch in front of the next stitch onto the left needle then knit it and knit the next stitch

** I like to turn my work and cast on the 3 stitches so that they are cast onto the right had needle when you work is facing you and then they will be knit in the next row not in the same row that you have just cast on(make sense?)

Below are some pictures!  If I haven't written it clearly be sure to pop me off an email at itsawip at gmail dot com and I will try to explain better or take more pictures!

The cuff

Stitches on the holder for the thumb

Almost ready to start the top of the mitten

Finished!

Where to start today...

I had a good cry last night and although I'm still feeling a little down today I will make myself get things done.  All in all yesterday was a productive day...

I started by blanching and peeling about 30 red tomatoes and then I spent another 8 hours boiling it all down to make Tomato Jam.  It is excellent on meat and can almost be used like ketchup.  This is another recipe from my grandmother and so far everyone who has tried it, like it.  I think it might be good in meatloaf.  I normally use either tomato soup or salsa, but maybe I'll go and get some hamburger today and try it in a meatloaf.

Beautiful Red Tomatoes

In the pot with sugar added

After cooking for 8 hours and adding spices this is how it looks!

I made another batch of the green tomato relish and then I tried something completely different.  Zesty Peach BBQ Sauce.

At the beginning!

I should have wiped the jar before the photo!  I ran it through the food processor and I think the next time I make it, I will chop all the ingredients that way.

I like peaches and thought I would try it.  It is delicious.  I found the recipe in this book.  I made a double batch and with the little bit of left over that didn't go into a jar, hubby put it on the pork chops last night while he cooked them on the BBQ.  I made a small mistake and instead of adding the hot pepper flakes using a teaspoon like the recipe said, I used a tablespoon.  I scooped a bunch of it out and it has just enough bite to make it zesty, but not the bite that has you looking for a glass of water.  I was really happy with the way it turned out!  I am just about out of jars and I still want to make some more Lady Eaton Relish and try a Pumpkin Butter too.  The small jars are going to be perfect to put into baskets for Christmas.  I plan to put tags on them listing the ingredients and maybe some ideas on how to use them with your meals.  Home made Christmas is coming along nicely!

The hat that I had on the needles is finished!  Unfortunately it didn't fit the intended recipient so I have cast another one on and hope to have it finished tonight or tomorrow!

I still have enough of the orange yarn left to make the bigger one and the smaller one just might get mailed my cousin!

I am hoping for another productive day.  I think I will take a break from the canning and will clean the kitchen and get some laundry done.

It's a wet cold rainy day that feels like November...maybe I'll just turn on the fireplace and sit and knit....hhmmmm

On the Needles

It's the time of year again when the mornings and evenings are too cold to not have a hat on the kids, but too warm to have a winter hat on.  Last night I decided to cast on a simple roll up hat for a friend who has a one year old little boy in daycare and has had a few ear infections.  I hope to have it done tonight and will post the finished hat when I am done!