fingerless mitts and project bag

 

I participated in my very first Ravelry swap group this month--a birthday group, to be precise. Now that my partner has had her birthday and opened the goodies I sent her, I can finally post about these secret projects! First, these great garter stitch fingerless mitts. I used Ysolda Teague's pattern and loved every minute of making them! The yarn is Blue Moon Fiber Artists' Socks that Rock medium weight, an unknown colorway that was gifted to me by a good friend who is very anti-pink. (so anti-pink in fact, that I honestly have no idea how this skein came into her possession ...) It was my first time knitting with the yarn, and won't be my last! One word: yum.

 

There are several things that I love about this pattern. The garter stitch, of course! And an ingenious construction. You use a provisional cast on, so you end up kitchener-ing everything together so there is no seam to bug your hand! And you use a lot of short rows--to make the palm wider than the arm, and to create the thumb. Super speedy, too. I barely put a dent in the skein, so I'll be making more of these ... at least one pair, maybe two? We'll see ...

 

 

I also whipped up a little drawstring project bag, my first sewing project with a drawstring! Also the first time I actually made something I pinned on Pinterest, ha! (talk about rabbit hole ...) The bag was a little more fussy, but turned out well enough that I can see myself making more.