My First Mittens!!

The mittens are finished!

Last night, I got on  a roll. I started knitting around 8pm and told myself I would start my homework at 9. Then I was going to start it at 10. At 10 I decided I wasn't going to stop until I finished these mittens. It took me until 2:30 am.

I don't know about you, but I always watch TV while I knit. Or do I knit while I watch TV? Like many other college kids, I enjoy binge watching on Netflix. Right now, I am watching 30 Rock for the first time. I must say, it's FANTASTIC! Here is a picture of my work station last night:

My knitting workspace.

I really like this picture. On the right is the knit kit that my momma made me years and years ago with everything you need for a project (a plethora of stitch markers, small crochet hook, small scissors, yarn needle, some dpns, cable needles). On the left you can see the tape measure that is also in the knit kit. Funny story. I live with 4 other girls I go to school with, and I'm the only one whose parents live in St. Louis as well. My friend Madeleine asked me if the next time I went to my parents' house I could check to see if we have a measuring tape so she could take measurements for a bridesmaid dress. I said, "Wait a minute, my momma has prepared me for this moment!" So I reached in my knit kit and pulled out a tape measure. I was really glad I was able to help Mad out..but the others thought it was a little random that I had a tape measure on my person. Oh, the random things knitters have...

Lesson: My momma's knit kit is awesome. Keeping it in your project bag is a lifesaver. Literally. (But not really literally.)

Drumroll please for the finished product....

dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum....

Aren't they great!? I'm proud for my first mittens attempt.

Things I didn't make:
The pattern: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/erins-mittens
The buttons: https://www.etsy.com/shop/buttonsbyrobin2?ref=l2-shopheader-name

Problems I ran into:

1. Knitting While Tired. dumb mistakes.
2. Made a mistake, didn't feel like tinking. On both gloves, actually, I ended up with 39 stitches instead of 40 on the stockinette section after the thumb gusset. I did a simple M1 on the palm side when I noticed and no one can tell.
3. Attaching Buttons: It was 2:00am and I was ready to put the buttons on. I was about to wing it, but then I remembered that the Internet exists and there are people smarter than me who have probably posted a how-to or two. I'm glad I didn't wing it like I usually do, because I would have completely forgotten that there needs to be a thread shank to space the button from the fabric. This is the tutorial I used: http://www.sewdaily.com/blogs/sewdaily/archive/2012/07/09/tips-for-sewing-buttons-on-handknits.aspx
4. Thumb gusset. There are tiny wholes where the thumb meets the body of the mitten. My mom said that happens on all her mittens and that she just uses leftover yarn to tighten it up. I used the ends and wove them around there (good description, right?). There are still little gaps. I might go back and fix that.
5. Cuff lying flat. It seems that my cast on edge is wider than the rest of the cuff... so it's not lining up correctly on the right mitt. On the left mitt, it is lined up, but it's just not laying flat. I might end up seaming it together to make it look nice (my hand fits in even with it buttoned). 

Beautiful handmade buttons I ordered from buttonsbyrobin2 on Etsy. 

Cuff isn't lying how I would like it. 

I am going to my Grandma Rose's house later with my parents to watch the Superbowl. I am assuming the 3 women will be knitting at the same time!! I will ask them for advice on my thumb gusset and cuff problems :)

Just for fun, here's a pic of my future mother in law's new dog, Baylee, whom I adore :) She's a 2 year old Beagle/Chihuaua (Cheagle!).

Baylee :)

Happy Knitting!!!

Ruthie