The robins have bodies

Finished! 

I didn’t care much for the large amount of duplicate stitch (I really stink at it). If I were to knit it from the complete pattern, I’d just knit it with the colors as they came up. I really LOVE the mittens, though, and am very happy with them. I didn’t reach the 11 stitches per inch gauge, I ended up at 8.5 per inch. My hands are bigger, and they’re just a tiny bit roomy. I will get a lot of use out of these, as I’m keeping them for ME!

I need a better daylight picture.  And, as luck has it, we may get snow in Minnesota tomorrow!

One mitten done

Embroidery and duplicate stitch is finished on one mitten and begun on the second.

I don't care for all the duplicate stitch.  Time consuming, putzy work.  If I were to knit these again, I'd knit all the colors as I went.  That wasn't an option with the mystery knit along, as only a few items were revealed with each clue.

I'll bite the bullet and finish that second mitten.

But I don't think I'll enjoy it any more than the first...

I'd get it myself if I only had thumbs...

All that's left of clue #3 is the thumbs.

I think there must be quite a bit of embroidery to come for this bird's back, don't you?

Mitten Clue #3

AHA!

I think it's a robin, don't you?

I know there is embroidery in the next clue.  

Oooh, interesting.

Clue #2

Clue #2 is complete!

Next clue on Tuesday.

Think that big red blob is going to be a bird?

That's my guess...

Inch by inch

Another big winter storm coming in tonight.

April in Minnesota.

Mitten knitting continues slowly.

A very little progress

I am reminded that exercising really cuts into knitting time.

This is all I knitted today.

A bit past the infernal cuff.

But I did spend time on the dreaded treadmill!

Hah!

Take that, dastardly mitten cuff!

You can't beat me!

I guess that'll do

The mitten cuff on the left fits better.  It's still only 9.5 stitches per inches. It takes longer to knit at this gauge too.  I could have done two more cuffs with the larger needles in the time it took me to knit one on these toothpicks.  I have no idea how someone would knit 11 stitches per inch.

Luckily, I have big hands, so I don't have to achieve the impossible. 

Second try

The first mitten cuff was not knit to gauge.  I got 8 stitches per inch - the pattern called for 11.  I don't know if I've ever knit anything at that tight a gauge.

However, it made a mitten much too large.

Tonight I started again with size 0 needles.  1.75mm.  Toothpicks.  Definitely makes for a smaller mitten cuff.

First mitten underneath second mitten:

But I'm not sure I'm enjoying the knitting as much.

Look! A Squirrel! (no, I guess it's another mitten)

At work, they say I'm easily distracted.  I chase squirrels a lot. You know, squirrels, the odd problems that pop up in a project when you aren't expecting any issues? 

I guess I'm doing that again.

Couldn't resist the mystery knit along in the Ravelry 'I Make Mittens' group.

I already had all the yarns.

(No additional cost.)

They have hearts on them.

(I love hearts.)

I'm on a mitten jag.

(Mitten pair #9.)

I just can't help chasing this squirrel.

(The Secret)

Actually, all the squirrels I chase make me the office puzzle  solver.  It's an actual talent.  

Trust me, it really is!