Toddler wristwarmers

Another leftovers project. Green/olive stripe toddler wristwarmers, for donation. 

Basic design is a 6" square, seamed above thumb, a gap, then a seam from there to wrist. These will be a bit smaller, for preschoolers, and knitted in the round. 

Leftover yarn, so knit top down to use every inch. I wanted to try reverse stocking stitch edging, and I like it. However I failed at yarn chicken, so the lower edge is different - intended a 3-stitch purl I-cord, but not enough yarn. 

The key thing for fit was to keep the cast on and cast off loose enough.

The amount of yarn left means there's about the same depth above and below the thumb hole. The owner can choose which way up they like to wear them. 

The finished warmer will just about go on my hands (I'm a small adult), though it feels tight. So, narrow as it looks, it'll be fine say age 3-7.

Undyed wool earwarmers

After seeing DD admiring some 100% undyed wool earwarmers, and knowing there were about enough leftovers from the horseshoe scarf, I looked for a pattern for her.

I liked this one. 

Another new-to-me technique. The cross stitches are slipped for two rows before crossing on the front. And although the base is stocking stitch, it doesn't roll at all.

Not perfectly knitted. But I enjoyed doing it. And the uneven start will be hidden by her hair. 

Red and yellow barbers pole hat and mitts

As a change from stripes to use up leftovers, I'd wanted to try a barbers pole stripe. 

Specifically, to get the stripe running at an angle, rather than straight across. 

Together with the red main yarn, I wound up 'bobbins', one red and two yellow on the circular knitting machine (a 22 peg) 

A couple of unexpecteds:

The first attempt in three colours was pulled back to the ribbing because the pitch of the stripes looked off - neither tilted nor left alone. Four bobbins was better, and I expect six would be better again. 

I'd imagined that the pitch would look steeper on the narrower mitts, however it's not obviously so.

Although I'd checked tension (gauge) before doing the mitts, and reduced the stitches to get the width right, they seem awfully big for 3-6 months

I was pleased with the reduced jogging on the hat, by slipping a triplet of stitches when changing yarns. Not so easy to get into a rhythm on the narrow mitts.

2022 October roundup

October themes were

Fit-a-long. The first wearable trial (green gingham) has proved definitely wearable. Not smart, fudged for fabric limitations, but good enough to be worn for household or outdoor activities. Thoughts on improvements are currently simmering before I retrace the pattern and cut another.

Newborn hats. A dozen small beanies and three cats ears hats knitted since September. Just need laundering before delivering, once we get a day when the drying racks aren't already full of our stuff.

Weasley jumper - ready to deliver when the new parents surface from those first few chaotic days.

Finchdale jumper - in progress again. It'll be slower, partly because I'm checking fit after each section, and partly because it's no longer a handbag size project.

Stealth knitting. Enough leftovers from the Weasley jumper to have completed an dark red hat for DH. Very quick on 6mm dpns.

Barber pole hat red yellow white dk, 6 months size, for donation. Latvian cast on, 84st, k2p2 rib. Finished in the first few days of November. Not a resounding success - the spiral could be steeper, the crown has some misplaced decreases, and the underside of the spiral shows a little when the brim is turned back. However, it's cheerful, the shape is good, the structure is solid. It'll do its job.

Repairs - darned DH's walking trousers, restitched an elastic waistband. Another coat of paint on living room wall. Replaced curtain hooks Those kinds of things.

What next? Apart from finishing the Finchdale jumper, and some nice social things planned, candidates are:

Barber pole mittens to match the hat. Stealth knitting for DD. (she knows about this blog)

Another gingham trial using what I learned in the Fit-a-long.

Consider reknitting shoulder and neck section of Talvi teal jumper.

I'm short of long sleeved tees, now that the three-quarter and bracelet-length ones are getting chilly.

Use up yarn leftovers of bright colours, probably for donation in toddler sizes.

Some techniques I want to try on the circular knitting machine.

Enough to keep me occupied, that's for sure.