Knitting is supposed to be fun and it is, but what I also love is that it’s a great teacher. Any knitter worth his/her salt will tell you that while we adore fiber and everything related to the craft, one of the best things about it is how much you can learn (if you pay attention) in a single project, even from a small one.
At the beginning of the year, I told you that my goal is to make this:
Quite ambitious since I’d never made a mitten before. So I decided to remedy that. I figured I’d start with something easy like a bulky mitten since what I really wanted was to get an idea of the construction, kitchener seaming and finishing (especially between the thumb gusset and the rest of the mitten). As I used bulky yarn, within a few hours, I’d finished the rest of the mitten (excluding the thumb) and kitchener stitched the top. In about 15 mins or less the next day, I was finished the thumb. Wanna see the proof:
The thumb was actually perfect, the kitchener stitch mostly okay (so much easier than I was told to expect) except for the side I pulled too tight, but the mitten doesn’t fit. No fault of the pattern but my hand is apparently longer than I thought it was. I should have gone another inch before the decrease so the mitten itself doesn’t sit right although it looks just fine. The other part of the mitten I’m not particularly happy with is the area between the thumb gusset and the main part of the mitten. I know it’s normal to get holes there because of general mitten construction but my perfectionist self wanted to have those holes seamed/finished better than I did them this time around. I decided to go to one of my favourite online teaching sources — VeryPink — and of course, she had a video tutorial of how to make fingerless mitts including how to close up those annoying holes better. Can it get any better than that?
On this mitten, I learned three techniques and crossed an accessory I never did before off my list. I’d say that’s pretty good learning! I’m not going to finish the second one yet, at this point, I think I might undo this first one and convert this pair into thrummed mittens. How awesome would that be?!!! Not bad for my first mittens or should I say … mitten. 😀
Next stop … these:
I might even be adventurous and dye some yarn for this pattern, but that my friends is another story. 😀
What mini projects gave you lots of learning? Chat with me in the comments. This is the year I want to up my crafty game so the dialogue is welcomed!
D'NALI 
great job!! Your first pair of mittens is so beautiful! Mittens are fun! May I suggest something else to try? a simple pattern of mitten made with your very own handspun !! It is so luxurious and warm and humbling 🙂
I didn’t think of doing that but I just picked out the braid to follow your suggestion! Thanks friend! 😀
I can’t wait to see it!!!! I made one this winter and the pattern is “simple chunky mittens” by Marla Holt!
I want to make more for next winter!!!!They were soooooo warm!!!
The mitten you made is perfect and provided you a great amount of learning. I embrace this aspect of knitting, the excitement of trying something new and having it turn out… like the pattern said. The most excited I’ve ever been about a project was turning the heel on my first sock. All those weird wraps and turns actually made a heel. Yay for knitting!!
Yes! I’ve been enjoying learning and actually finishing items so much these days. Now I don’t care if I have to start the same project multiple times or even correct mistakes. I love it more and more every day.
I guess I need to tackle socks this year huh? 😀
Well done!! Onward and upward 🙂
Yes!!!!! I already have the yarn for the colour work ones and I’m going to do them!!!
It’s not a mini-project but I (finally) got started on my first knitting project with beads and it’s been going really well! I love the VeryPink videos, they are always so clear and well-done. I saw that she has a series of “Crochet for Knitters” videos that I really want to try to follow… whenever I have time! The eternal problem
Nice! Is the project another sweater? LOLOL! The curse of every crafter is upon you … so many things to learn so little time! 😀
It’s a shawl! I’m stretching my wings 😀
Absolutely gorgeous. Congrats on your success. I’ve put ‘mittens’ on my to-do list this year too. Thanks for the YouTube advice from VeryPink. I’m gonna call on you D’nali when I get stumped on my mittens.
Anytime lady!!! I’m no professional but whatever help I can give I will! VeryPink has some of the best instructional videos out there. I always check her first when I want info.
Came out very nice.
Thanks friend! 😀
I really love your approach to try to learn something new from each project! For some reason I tend to choose big projects. When I just learned how to cast on, I started 5 (!!!!) sweaters at the same time without having a clue what is a gauge, why the needles size matters, how to decrease/increase, how to cast off and so on. Well, none of them were finished obviously 🙂 Only 7-8 months later, I finished my first garment. I think it would be so much easier to start with small projects and learn step by step!
What can I say … I love how brave and unafraid you are … with everything! You’ve more than made up for those unfinished projects. 😀
I still haven’t finished my first garment but my goal is to do so this year.
I’m doing my first pair of mittens now too 🙂 I hope to learn as much as you have.ine will take a wee bit longer cause they are worsted weight but no too much as they are for a child.
Knitting is always an adventure.
Yay!!! Make sure you post when you’re done! 😀