November 17, 2009

The Tale of The Monster Mitten...

I try to show my human side in my musings with you - especially when it comes to my crafting. Be it sewing, needlework, or as in this case, knitting, it's important to me to "keep it real" with you in what I do and how I do it.

A couple of days ago, I went into that voluminous stash to choose something lovely for a pair of mittens to make for my Christmas list. I found a beautiful, ivory- colored alpaca silk dk yarn by Debbie Bliss. Pretty, soft and perfect for my purposes....and I had the requisite four balls. Good to go!

I need to tell you that I've made these mittens more than a few times, so it's not a new pattern for me. I needed two sets of knitting needles. Size 7 would be used for casting on the mitten and knitting up the ribbed cuff. Then, I would switch to size 9 needles for the body of the mitts.

Knit, knit, knit, knit, knit thumb, knit, knit, knit, knit to end. Sew up. Slip on. What, the....? I just started to laugh. How could I have screwed up to this extent? I always knit a gauge swatch, but hadn't this time because I'd done them before. But, I guess I should go back and cover that step now! Grab the size 9s because they were the critical size. Again...What, the...?

Now I knew my error. Size 7 needles - two of 'em - check! Size 9 needles - two of 'em - awww crap! I had one size 9 needle and one size 10 1/2! Well, heck yeah, that would knock the size of my mitten into the next species...like Sasquatch size! See? I'm figuring you should be able to hear the beaver slap to my forehead from where you're sitting reading this!

As it's already sewn together (perfectly matching seams, I might add) at this point...I placed it off to the side and knit up another mitten (in what should be the correct side with the correct needles). Ahhhhhhhh, that's better! See the Monster Mitten on the left and the normal mitten on the right. (FYI - I only embellish one mitten so the recipient can keep left and right straight once they start wearing them.)

So, at this point, you're curious, right? What did she do with the monster mitten? Rip it out? Toss it? Yeah, I know I could rip it out and use it to start a matching scarf, but inspiration hit me (much better than that beaver slap!). As I usually make a little bag of some sort to place my mittens (or socks) into, I already have the perfect pouch!

Well...what do you think? Genius? Yeah, I know. I think so, too! (insert an evil giggle here) Heck, I could even add a cute little felt head and a broomstick in the thumb to look like a little snowman, but then the recipient might think she'd received a one-armed, mutant, snow thingy. I think I'll just leave it like this with the cute, completed mittens inside - and maybe a little chocolate. Who doesn't like chocolate, anyway?
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I can't tell you how much fun I'm having reading your comments and visiting all the blogs of my giveaway participants. I'm trying to get to everyone to leave a message for you. If you left an email for me in your message, I'm assuming you don't have a blog (yet). I don't want you to think you've got a stalker if I write to you, so I'll wait until the end of the contest to say thanks. If you want me to write to you at your edress, please let me know! I'm happy to oblige. I'd love to thank you for visiting, and get to know you better.

I hope you're enjoying exploring Brynwood Needleworks. There's a lot to see and hear while you're visiting. Feel free to comment on any little thing! Thanks again, my friends. I know you're all commenting on my generosity, but believe me - you all return it to me ten-fold and I'm grateful beyond measure for each and every one of you!

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24 comments:

  1. hehehe! in the job I do they train us to treat everything we do as new..so we don't get complacent with common things...lol.this is such a cute muse and I love the end little giftie bag... hey check my blog in the morning I have something for you there....half way thru the week already...make the end a good one.

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  2. Very clever. I have never made a pair of mittens that are the same size!!!! I am very hesitant to try socks! When are you going to show a picture of the beaded shawl?

    Carol

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  3. Your funny,,,I thought you were going to make a hanger and put in greens and Christmas themed treasures and put it on the front door.
    Knitting is on my list of things to do one day.
    Good post!
    Marcie

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  4. I got such a kick out of this because it's exactly something I would do. I used to run a tennis shop and occasionally would make tops and tennis pants to sell there. I made a pair of Fancy Pants once and I have no idea how I did it but they turned out ginormous. I laughed until I cried. I came by way of the French Bear. Love your blog! ~ Miles of Smiles ~ Lynn

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  5. I'm really enjoying your blog and appreciate your visit to mine! I love your mittens. You could have made another pair...one big and one small and had his and hers mittens! heehee! I love the sweet embellishment! Makes me want to try to knit! lol

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  6. Oh my, I love this monster mitten! This is the story of my knitting career! I have a sweater so close to being finished for Wade, I better stick with those knitting Pure & Simple patterns, top down especially, and I have a very nice Debbie Bliss sweater coat that just won't finish knitting itself for ME to wear... And it is so close! Next time I see you we will have a sit and you will give me your expertise with my near knitting projects... They are so close, I just need a little help! Maybe your help... The kids still adore when I knit with the Kirby Derby Dog knitting needles, I have a scarf on them now. They do disappear periodically though!
    Happy Day!

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  7. It's so nice to know you are human! :D :D :D What a great idea to use the monster mitten to hold a complete set! I'll have to remember that!

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  8. Yay!!! When I was pregnant, I crocheted some adorable little booties for the baby... but, as it turned out, it was about the second time I had ever crocheted anything and they turned out hilariously different sizes. I'm not sure where they are now...

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  9. It's so cute and clever you could have just pretended that you made that adorable bag on purpose! Twyla

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  10. Classic! Thanks for the giggle ;~)

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  11. I love that you laughed the mistake off and moved on. That's just the kind of goof I would make. I was thinking you could use the big mitten as a gift bag of sorts. Put the right color ribbon on it and stick a cute little gift inside.

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  12. Hi again Donna, I've been snooping around your blog, and I really love it! This post was hilarious! I think your big mitten bag idea is so perfect to hold a gift of your pretty handmade mittens, and some yummy chocolate...what a lucky recipient, she'll be! ;) Paulette

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  13. Genius Donna ... love the mittens, they are wonderful! You are good, chuckle!! Hope all is well with you both. Hugs, TTFN ~Marydon

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  14. I just learned to knit mittens and am finishing my 4th pair! But I like your 'mistake' mitten so well, I just might make a monster one!

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  15. Hi Donna,

    I love your gloves and the story behind them.
    That was like me the other day I could not find some fine needles I was knitting for a scarf for a bear - had one small one and could not find the other so I used a skewer, until I could buy one the next day. thanks for visiting me and I tried following you earlier today and google was not working so I will come and try again.

    Hugs
    Carolyn

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  16. Oh Donna, that is too funny, I think I should make you a lovely Christmas bear for the mitt, a nice red chubby bear to sit inside!!!
    I am pretty sure I can guess the size from your picture of your hand on the mitt!!! Unless of course you use it as a stocking for Christmas!!!
    Hugs,
    Margaret B

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  17. Too cute, Donna!
    What a great idea and it is SO refreshing to know that I'm not alone... I don't mind mistakes.. sometimes, it gives a whole new light to our work!!
    Don't forget, "In art there are no mistakes...only diversions to greater creativity."
    HUGS!
    Christina
    oxo

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  18. You are so clever! I would never have thought of that....the lucky recipeint will love them I'm sure. Love, LAE

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  19. Now THAT is using your creative mind! I love the "gift bag" it is just darling. Seriously people would pay good money for just the bag not to mention the cute mittens! Have a happy day!

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  20. Oh Donna I think you may start a new trend in knitting... I love that monster mitten... could use these in place of Santa socks... I have a primitive tree with just little mittens on it now if I could just score about 3 of those monsters to hand off the mantle it would be a perfect set... LOL...

    Hugs Deb

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  21. I just died laughing reading this post! "Knocked the size into the next species..."! :)

    Well, all I can say is, at least you CAN knit... NOT I!! :)

    What a talent you have!!

    Best to you!

    Ruth

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  22. hahaha! Your post made me giggle so much! We've all had those DOH!! moments but I love that you were able to make lemonade out of lemons!! I think the bag that came out of it is so cute! A happy accident :-)

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  23. This was so hilarious! It turned out really pretty though for being a boo boo. I love it!

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Thank you so much for leaving a comment today. I'm using new settings on my comments so that I'll be able to respond to your messages to me. Be sure to come back to see my replies!

Blessings, Donna