I finally slept through the night on Tuesday, so I cautiously approached my sewing table to see if I had the energy to make something yesterday. I’ve been missing sewing terribly. I rooted around and recalled that I’d been planning to sew K some mittens since it’s been getting so cold lately and she’s either lost or outgrown the ones she had. Enter Oliver + S and my trusty copy of Little Things To Sew. It seemed a manageable project for an undernourished, bronchial-challenged, semi-invalid.
I used fleece from my stash, and scrap fabric for the elastic casing (the scrap is from the first dress I made for K on this crazy sewing venture I started last year). It would normally be a very quick sew, I imagine. I had to pause a lot to cough so I’m estimating it took double the time it should, but it felt good to be sitting in front of my machine again.
But oh, that did me in. Beaten by a little pair of mittens. I’m going to go rest some more, but I felt that it might be a little sad to just show a pair of mittens so I included one of my more ambitious knitting projects from a few years ago. A much loved bear with floppy, asymmetrical ears. I’m pretty sure it was a Debbie Bliss pattern. And aren’t those unpainted nesting dolls fabulous? They’re part of a craft project I’ve been wanting to do for ages.
I hope K likes the mittens – she doesn’t know about them yet. Chances are good since they’re blue, but maybe they’re a little too big? Anyone else tried making these mittens?
oh I do hope you are feeling better soon!! that bear is adorable…and those mittens are so sweet! 🙂 I made a pair of those mittens for the first time a few weeks ago for my son’s Saber Toothed Tiger costume. I loved the way they came together and he wears his all the time 🙂 Rest up feel better!! Good health vibes being sent your way!
Thank you, Jane! I think I’m almost there…this pesky cough will probably stick around, but I’m feeling more like myself. Saber Toothed Tiger mittens sound awesome!!!
I used this pattern to create a set of purple upcycled sweater mittens last night. It’s such a nice quick sew& I enjoy seeing my little lady romping in the snow with tiny sweater hands. <3
Mae
Such a good idea to use an upcycled sweater, Mae! I’ll have to hunt around for some sweaters that I’m not in love with in my closet.
Nice to hear that you are feeling better Sanae. The mitts are very cute and cozy looking. I hope K likes them.
Thanks, Tracy! K LOVES them! She cooed that they’re so soft and the blue is just perfect for her 🙂
You sure sound better, I hope you regain full vitality soon. I plan to make your brownie cookies next week, my kids would love it esp the cute dolly size. Thank you so much for sharing the recipe. Anyhoo, didn’t know that you like to knit? The bear pattern really is from a Debbie Bliss book. I have the pattern but haven’t tried making it because I was too in love with this bunny http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bunny-girl-in-a-dotty-dress. I am up to bunny no. 4 already!
Also I have made those mittens before using double sided fleece. The only alteration I made was finishing off the hem with bias binding, it was difficult because the fleece pile caused bias binding to move everywhere (- -!). Next time, I might leave the hem raw. I think the long pile would hide the raw edge anyway? And maybe, I would try elastic thread instead of casing. What do you think?
That bunny is super cute, Lulita! I love it! It’s been so long since I’ve knitted. I’ve never been very good at it and last year, I started again to see if it would jump-start a love affair, but alas, that wasn’t the case.
And yes, I think leaving the edges raw would look just fine. I wasn’t too keen on the way they turned out with the zigzagged edges…actually, I tried a blanket stitch on my machine first, but that ate the fabric so I ended up with the zig zag.
I am glad you are feeling a little better! I can understand that you had to visit your sewing machine and the mittens are a great recuperating project. I love that you used fabric from the “first” dress, it was fun to visit that post again. You have come a long way since then! The bear is just lovely. And looks well loved. Since I am no good at nitting (how does one ever understand those pattern instructions?! I can not imagine making a stuffed animal!) I have been crocheting like crazy lately. So fast. So rewarding. Maybe another recuperating project? A loop scarf can be done in a couple of hours 😉
I am very curious to see what you would do with those matryoshka dolls!
Ha, that’s so nice of you to say that I’ve come a long way, Ute! From my vantage point, I feel like I haven’t progressed too much, but things are definitely easier on the sewing front :-). Knitting and I have a love-hate relationship – I adore knitted goods, and am so happy whenever I actually finish them, but I’ve realized that I don’t know how to count! I always lose count and that seems to be a major issue when it comes to knitting. Crochet, though….hmmmm….I might be able to do something with that. I’ve only tried it a handful of times, but I can see myself liking it :-).
I love these little mittens! I used the pattern to make tiny oven mitts for my 2 year old’s kitchen 🙂
I hope you’re feeling better soon, and please tell me you are going to share your nesting doll project once you are finished! I’ve wanted to make a set of my own for some time now, but have never found the right inspiration.
Oven mitts! Such a cool idea!! And yes, I’ll share the doll project whenever I get around to it, which is…oh, very very far into the future 🙂 I’m starting to feel more myself again, thank you for your sweet words!
You knit too? You’re a woman who does it all! (when well!). The mittens are so sweet. I’ve made that pattern as well, but only in the baby size. Hope these fit K well!
Not very well, Lucinda, not well at all. Knitting never stuck like sewing did though I keep trying 🙂 the mittens fit great, and K loves them, hooray!
Lovely mittens and I know you’re feeling better cause I’m reading backwards through my blog list so congratulations.
Have you seen my Little Things To Sew challenge/sew along?
http://bartacksandsingletrack.blogspot.com.au/2013/10/little-things-to-sew-cover-to-cover.html
You don’t have to go crazy and make everything like me, but do share your little mittens in the Flickr pool
Shelley
I have seen your challenge, Shelley! So cool. Yes, I will add to the Flickr Pool though I wish I had a more impressive project to contribute…
We have two sets of those nesting dolls waiting to be painted. Mama isn’t quite ready for them to lose their innocence to a 3 and four year old with paint and a brush. I’m glad your feeling a bit better.
I know what you mean, Amber! I love the way the plain nesting dolls look and I’m a little bit afraid of messing them up. Maybe I’ll get a back-up set in case I DO mess-up…thanks for the well-wishes!