The evolution of a mitten

I've been working on improving my boxy mitten design. It started out as a loose knit (size 7 needles) pattern (not so great for the cold) with no holes for a cord. On that pattern, I made a thin cord and just threaded it through between stitches. The next version had a tighter knit (size 3 needles) and an attempt to make holes for a cord, but the holes were too small, complicated to make because they had a top and bottom (based on a space between the holes) that flipped between the left and right needle and ended up with two holes very close together at the scene. The final design (tight knit version) now has the same tight knit, bigger, well defined holes, and a placement that is identical for the left and right needle, including a much easier pattern to follow.

Booties for my cousin's baby

My cousin is pregnant, so I decided to make a pair of booties for her baby using a pattern I used for Aiden's first booties. When Aiden was born, we got a few hand-knitted baby items, and they were very special, so I wanted to follow that tradition. I've already got another pair of booties planed for some friends of ours that are expecting.

Aiden's ear flap hat

With winter starting and an upcoming trip to the midwest,I made Aiden an ear flap hat, with some added stitching and pompoms suggested by my wife.

Boxy Mittens

After a cold walk to the store to find out that they're not selling cold-weather baby mittens yet, I decided to make my own.
Here's the pattern for my boxy mittens:

Boxy Mittens (Tight knit version)
(make 2)
Size: (6-18 months)
Gauge:
36 rows = 4 inch
24 stiches = 4 inch
Needle size: 3

If you want to create holes for a cord, use the instructions for rows 17a-18a, otherwise use the instructions for rows 17-18

CO 28
Row 1-16: *K2 P2* to end
Row 17-18: *k2p2*
Row 17a: k2p2 *bo2 p2*
Row 18a: *k2 m2p* to last 4 then k2 p2
Row 19: *k2p2*
20-21: CO 5, K to end [38]
22-62: K
BO knitwise

Stitch together and turn inside out


Boxy Mittens (Loose knit version)
(make 2)
Size: (6-18 months)
Gauge:
40 rows = 4 inch
23 stiches = 4 inch

CO 24
Row 1-14: *K2 P2* to end
15: CO 3, K to end
16: CO 3, K to end
17-45: K
BO knitwise

Stitch together and turn inside out

If you want to add a tie, knit a thin I-cord and thread it through the ribbed part of the mitten.

First wrap

My first wrap has been kind of an experimental piece. I didn't want to use velcro since I was worried it would damage the wrap if it got stuck to the yarn, and I was afraid that if I used buttons, Aiden would pull them off. So I decided to try snaps.I attached them to pieces of felt and then sewed the felt to the wrap. That worked pretty well, but the problem was that on the loosest and tightest setting, the front or back felt showed a lot. So following Christy's suggestion, I added a short tie so the flaps would be held to the body of the wrap and the ties would cover the felt. It seems to work pretty well, although the edges do not stay around the legs as tightly as I would like.

Booties for Aiden

I just finished a pair of booties for Aiden.

They turned out pretty well. Miraculously, despite some tugging, Aiden didn't pull them off during our first stroll out with them. He does seem to be quite fascinated with them.

First soaker

I finished my first soaker :-) This project took me only about three weeks - a big improvement over the blanket!


I had a little trouble with the leg cuff (ended up frogging it twice), but thanks to the folks in the wool soaker group, I learned how to do the stretchy bind off and it looks and works great now.

My first project

I finally finished my first project - a baby blanket for my son.


I started working on it when my wife first got pregnant and finally finished it when my son was 4 months old. Hopefully I'll be a little quicker with my next project!