Sunday, April 12, 2009

Mitten Swap

In March, I participated in a Quickie Mitten Swap hosted by Sit 'n' Knit New York City. We answered a very detailed questionnaire which included color likes and dislikes, patterns, Winter Coat colors, and the most important, our hand measurements. We had 5 weeks to knit a pair of mittens, not fingerless mitts or arm warmers or gloves. They had to be MITTENS.The person that I was knitting for, Lizzy, has very small hands. I have never met her, but the questionnaire has her Ravelry ID, Flickr ID and Blog address. It was fun to check out what she has knit and what patterns she would like. On the questionnaire, she wrote that she would like some color-work mittens and that her favorite color was purple. It was made very clear in the beginning that there is no pressure to knit what the person wants, but I do aim to please.These mittens were very fun to knit. The color work is actually slipped stitches so it's not hard at all. I shortened the cuff so that it's only 3 inches long. My hand measurements are pretty close to hers, with mine being slightly bigger, so it was pretty easy to use my own hands to test the size as I was knitting. Even though I had her measurements, I was still worried about the actual fit. It's nerve-wracking to knit for someone that you have never met before.To package up the mittens, I decided to sew her a knitting project bag. It's fully lined on the inside and I also personalized the front. It says "Lizzy's Knits". I hand drew the yarn balls next to her name, which I stamped. I used fabric pens and a ink pad. The bag is perfect for a small project like mittens or socks.

I was thrilled when I presented the mittens to her and they fit , well, like a glove! I didn't bring my camera to the Mitten Swap Party, but luckily there were people there taking photos for the group. Click here to see a picture of Lizzy wearing the mittens. There are pictures of all the other fabulous mittens. The mittens also coordinated with her scarf, which I had saw on her Ravelry page.

She mentioned to me at the party that the mittens were so soft and asked me what yarn I used. It was my first time knitting with Knit Picks Swish and it's very soft and squishy. The Debbie Bliss Cashmerino is silky and soft. I recommend both of them, but be aware that the DB Cashmerino bled when I soaked them.

Pattern: Aili's Mittens (Ravelry Link to Free Pattern)
Yarns: 66.0 yards of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran in color: 300611 (Red). 72.6 yards of Knit Picks Swish Worsted in Wisteria.
Needles: US 6 / 4.0 mm
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The mittens I received were made by Gail in my two favorite colors, Green and Purple. She crocheted the purple pieces to add to the mittens as decoration. The cuff can be rolled down or folded up. Unfortunately, the mittens are too big for my hands. I don't mind the loose fit over my hands, but the thumbs are at least 1 inch longer than my thumbs. Her hard work will not be wasted. My friend, Rebecca, from my knitting group tried them on and they fit her very well, so the mittens will have a new home.

25 comments:

Rebekah said...

This sounds like a fun swap! I love the mittens that you made...the purple and red look great together

Jackie said...

What a fun exchange you are in, and the gift is beautiful, green and purple and the neat stitches.

I love the colour of your mitten too, very bright colour brighten up the day, with the neatly sew knit bag, it is a perfect gift.

Judy said...

Wow, the mitten swap sounded like a fun thing to do! Too bad you couldn't receive a pair in return that fit. You did a great job on Lizzy's and the personalized bag was soooo cute and generous!

Sam said...

That's a really cute idea. I love the ones that you made - great colour combo.

flanthrower said...

Cute! I love the mittens you made. Packaging them up in the project bag was a great idea. I really love the label you made for it!

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

The mittens you made and the ones you received are both so pretty. It seldom gets cold enough here to need things like that, but if it did, I'd like them. :) I love the little project bag you made. You really went above and beyond. You hve a giving heart!

Kristy said...

The mittens you made are so great! I love the texture in them. That project bag is so cute, and I'm sure it will get used a lot.

The mittens you received are so pretty! It's too bad they're too big.

caitlyn said...

Lovely mittens!

Jennie said...

Cute mittens, both are great colours.

CelticCastOn said...

very cute! I love that the pattern is slipped stitch, I may have to try these ones.

Gone to Find Myself said...

Love your mittens and the ones that you knit for Lizzy.
What bind off did you do? 3-needle bindoff?
I like the pattern. Haven't ever knit that one before. Did you choose the design or did the swap group ask you to use it?
I knit for people all over Canada and USA. I have found that it is best to knit a little bit bigger so you were probably right on the money using your own measurements.'
Looks like it was fun......enjoy your mittens.
Suzanne

Gone to Find Myself said...

Oh yes, I also wanted to comment about the photos at the top of your blog.
The hat is nice and the blanket/afghan nice, but the cake is to die for. Did you do that? Yum, yum!
And the knit bag for Lizzy. What a precious idea. Big enough to hold yarn and needles? I'd like to make a couple of those myself.
What a terrific idea you had for the bag. You were so thoughtful and kind to do that for Lizzy.
Suzanne

Jeanne said...

What a great swap! I love the mittens you made - so bright and cheerful! The mittens you received are beautiful - lucky you!

Lisa Stepi said...

Beautiful mittens - what a great slip-stitch pattern.

Agnes said...

Swapping is fun with a nice partner ... I miss the sockapaloooza!
Both mittens are cute!

rohanknitter said...

Sounds like a really fun swap! I'll bet your swap partner loved those cute mittens, not to mention that adorable little bag you made her.

LittleCanoe said...

That sounds so fun! I loooove mittens. I can't wait to start knitting more again next fall.

Rima said...

They are beautiful! And so is that cute bag is stitched up. I love purple too. Oh. Swaps are so much of fun.

Hannah said...

What fun mittens, I love those colors!

c.Rachel said...

What a fun swap! Great colors on the mittens you knitted and lovely project bag too.

Octopus Knits said...

What beautiful mittens! I'm glad the ones Gail made for you have a good home :)

Stephanie said...

such fun mittens! A shame the ones you received don't fit, but glad to hear they've found a home!

Tina said...

Lovely mittens. It looks like it was fun swap with many beautiful mittens.

Anonymous said...

I love your way of using colours.

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