Sunday, December 14, 2014

Limpet Mitts according to Meredith and some Christmas

Way back in November, Sue of Mr. Micawber's Recipe for Happiness posted a CAL for her beautiful Limpet Mitts pattern.  I am not usually one to jump in but Sue's patterns are so fascinating and you learn so much from her.  I decided to get moving and try to stay up with the instructions.  Alas I have to admit I did not stay up, but I finished mine yesterday, well Limpet Mitts according to Meredith that is.


Here was the first section to the pattern.  I was so thrilled I learned about Sue's special way of joining rounds and I learned how to make Limpets.  They are so fun and such an incredible design element. 
This poor portion of the pattern remained all by itself until yesterday when I finally decided to get this project done.
 

Now Sue, don't be all embarrassed for me but I just could not do the thumb portion of the mitt.   First of all I got mixed up, and since I was nursing a pretty bad headache I had to read the directions several times (not your fault they were flawless).  When my heads hurts nothing makes sense even simple directions.  Then as I actually got it right I decided that the yarn I was using was too thick to make the thumb, there would have just been too much yarn between my thumb and hand.


I put them down for a while and thought about it.  What if I made it without the thumb portion?  Well I am no designer or even that creative, so I had to give this a lot of thought, and frankly my head was not cooperating.  I finally worked it out, going back and forth for four rows and then joining again in the round.  The problem was I should have decreased before going back and forth to make them fit better as Sue was decreasing at the same time she was making the thumb, well live and learn.  My yarn choice was also a bit to thick, I made a smaller size but really should have used slightly thinner yarn.


They are a bit wide across the widest part of my hand, but I do sort of have thin hands, they just might be perfect for someone else, but there is no way I am giving these away, I like them too much.  I used Jo Sharp yarn left over from one of the tank top/sweaters I made earlier this year.  So here they are Limpet Mitt's according to Meredith, minus the thumb, and a little too big........


Signs of Christmas are all over my house.  Little Buddy loves looking at these snowflakes slowly spinning in my windows.
 

My mantle has been decorated since right after Thanksgiving.  I don't like to decorate early but I know with my schedule it is the only way it works for me.
 

I collected Santa's for years, it was a great present for my parents to give me, as it always gave them something to look for that I would love.


My favorite Father Christmas I bought years ago at an art fair where my parents used to live in Michigan, he is sitting on my Father's antigue red bike.
 

Not the best picture here but I did want you to see Her Highness on the right, and Princess on the left, in relation to the other plants I have.  These two are ginormous for Christmas Cactus plants.  Princess was really 1/3 of the size when I bought her last year.  Do you see my tomato plant in the middle?
 

Little Buddy's face has healed right up.  By the next day all you could really see was the scratch on his face.  If you looked really close there was a tiny bit of brusing around his eye.
 

He says thanks for all your well wishes.

Happy Sunday.

36 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy Sunday to you TOO Little Buddy!

Your Christmas cactus is amazing. Mine is going strong this year, but she is only a year old so not so big, but certainly FULL of peach and white blossoms.

I love those mitts. I think they look lovely and very snuggly.

moonstruckcreations said...

Lovely snuggly mitts, and love the colour yarn you used.

So glad to hear that LB is on the mend :)

And I cant believe that you can have your cacti outdoors at this time of the year - we are having some frosty days and nights which would sound the death knell for them for sure!!

Helenxx

Géraldine B. said...

NIce to read that Buddy is on the mend ... I looove your collection !!! I have one too but candles with santa claus shape. The mitts look confortable ! Have a lovely week !

http://woolandcats.blogspot.fr/

Caffeine Girl said...

Thanks for sharing your muddle! We all go through those times. Especially when we are tired or have a headache! I think the mitts are very pretty without a thumb!

It's amazing how quickly young people heal!

Kris said...

Hi Meredith! Long time, no see! I am catching up a bit this morning. Poor Little Buddy!!!! I bet that fall hurt!
I LOVE the mittens! I want to make some too! I have not done much crochet for gifts this year, as I have been so busy with sewing and other things. I miss it!
I hope you are doing well, and enjoying some holiday fun times with your family!
xo Kris

Stins said...

Your mitts look nice and warm, even without thumbs ;-)!
Glad that little buddy is feeling better...
Have a great week, lots of love from Mirjam.

Babajeza said...

So nice to read you this lovely Sunday evening. It's a bit like having tea together. All the best for this week. May it be a kind one. Hugs, regulA

Unknown said...

What a cutie, I'm happy he's feeling better! : )
I think your mitts turned out very pretty, and your plants, let me tell you, are nothing less than amazing!

mamasmercantile said...

Your mitts, your way are delightful. The Santa collection is beautiful all arranged on the mantel they look stunning. Glad little Buddy was not injured too badly, his cute little face always makes me smile.

Teresa Kasner said...

Bravo on finishing your mitts! I have one done, and need to do the 2nd one. But I'm well into making a crocheted beret to go with my red Elise (Meredith) shawl.. the mitts will be next.. in amongst all my other projects for gifts.. oy! Little Buddy is healing fast and looking aDORable!
((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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*M*E*R*R*Y* *C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S*!*
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My Garden Diaries said...

Those mitts are awesome lady!! I would so love a pair of those! And Your snowflakes are stunning! Just the perfect thing to hang in the air!! I must have missed the post about Little Buddy...I am so glad he is healing up!!! He is always so adorable!! Loving those tomatoes too pal! Happy week ahead to you! Nicole xo

linda said...

Glad little Buddy is getting better, I think the mitts look just fine and your Christmas decorations are lovely, I have nearly completed one of those cowls yay! :) xx

Pammy Sue said...

Good for you, sticking with those mitts and seeing it through to the end! Knowing me, I would have said the hell with it and flung them in a drawer or trash. Haha. Yours turned out nice, thumb or no. I never make mine with a thumb other than a hole. Glad L.B. is better!

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Love your Christmas cactus! Little Buddy looks good! Glad his injuries weren't worse! Your home looks full of Christmas Joy!
hugs,
Linda

kathy b said...

GREAT mitts.
Lil Buddy's sweet face....always a treat
I love Fat Santa!

eclectichomelife said...

I white tack my crocheted snowflakes to the window but love your idea of hanging them. No wonder Little Buddy enjoys watching them spin around. I would too. May just have to have a few hanging as well myself this year. X

CJ said...

So glad your little man is healing nicely. Lovely mitts, beautifully worked. And really pretty plants, I love to see people's plants and that's a good collection. Fantastic Father Christmasses. Wishing you all a good week. CJ xx

kathyinozarks said...

that is really awesome Little Buddy did not get black and blue, he healed up really nice
Your plants look wonderful-and I do see a couple of tomatoes-and your christmas cactus is beautiful-I noticed mine is beginning to show a couple blooms-excited about that as mine has not bloomed for a few years now.
good for you figuring out your fingerless gloves, I have a couple pairs that a friend knitted for me-and I really love them-especially for driving
Love your Santas too-

Gracie Saylor said...

So happy Little Buddy is healing quickly! Cheers for you for completing the mitts, Meredith! So far I have just practiced limpets. Your plants are doing royally well! I finished crocheting a bag in the wee hours and now need to launch into knitting a special scarf.
Wishing you well! xx

Ljubinka said...

Beautiful mitts and snowflakes, great collection!!!
Little Buddy <3!!
Happy week.:*

Sue Pinner said...

Hi good to see little Buddy's faceis healing well so sorry for his fall. But like you say part of growing up a few knocks. I'm sure with your love and attention he is re very really well.
You have been busy with all the scarves and things you've made for presents love them all
Hugs x

Needles and Wool said...

The limpit mitts look great! I like the pattern :) I love your Santas! I have found that I enjoy Santa figurines as well they have a charm to them. That's great that Buddy's face is healing poor guy! hope you are doing well! :)
Lisa

Lynne said...

I think your mitts look very cozy! Good for you, figuring it all out. I just attempted a slouch hat pattern, and ripped it apart 5 times before throwing it back in the cupboard.
So much for patience.
Hope the little guy is doing better.
Love all your Santas!
Lynne

Chris said...

I love all your Father Christmas's , they are all such unique characters. Your mitts are super nice, and they look great! I think you did a super job with all your pattern tweaking! Nice to see your cutie pie is on the mend!

Betsy said...

Beautiful face! He's looking really good Meredith! I'm so glad. I'm planning to make some Limpet mitts after Christmas. For myself. That's a shocker! Yours turned out just beautifully.
Blessings,
Betsy

Amy at love made my home said...

I love the colour of the mitts! They will keep you cosy for sure. The snowflakes are so pretty too and I love your santa collection!! How wonderful they all look massed like that. Buddy must love to see all of these things. Glad to hear that he is feeling better now than he was! xx

HollyM said...

Nice that you got the mutts finished. That's always satisfying no matter how you did it. I'm curious if you get to wear them in Florida?
I have a collection of crocheted snowflakes that I covered my table top tree with. I like your idea of hanging them in the window. I may have to do that when the tree comes down. It's pretty.
Sweet face. It must be a fun time a year for Little Buddy. And exciting, maybe too much occasionally.

Lilbitbrit said...

I was going to have a go at making the Limpett Mitts and still will I think, when I get the time.

Glad little Buddy is healing well.

Take care,
Christy

gigi knits said...

Buddy ios a sweet little guy! I love here in Florida but my plants don't look as great as yours do!! Summer sun !!!!

Jennifer Hays said...

Hi Meredith, I'm just catching up. I'm glad Little Buddy is healing up well. It doesn't look too bad. He is so sweet. Your mitts look really good and I am sure they will be warm and cozy. I've been admiring Sue's mitts as well, though I didn't join the CAL. I think you did a great job with them.

Ladybird Diaries said...

Gorgeous cosy mitts! Glad wee Buddy is on the mend.
Hope you have fantastic Christmas and festive season with your family.
Marianne x

Pradeepa said...

Glad to hear that Buddy is healing. Thumb or no thumb your mitts are gorgeous!

EMMA said...

Glad to see Little Buddys wounds are healing nicely.
Love those little snowflakes - do you coat them in anything to stiffen them?

Vicki Boster said...

Meredith-- the mitts are beautiful-- such a lovely shade of silver gray. I always leave the thumb off when I make mitts!! For me-- it's just easier-- and I like having my thumb free:)

Christmas at your home is lovely-- beautiful decorations.... I'm sure your precious boy is so excited about the holiday. His little face is so precious...
Love
Vicki

Home Meadows said...

Your mitts are pretty and I love the snowflakes you have hanging in the window. Your Christmas cactus is huge! I have one bud on mine, I might have one or two blossoms in time. Glad your LB is doing better. Take care, Heather

Judy S. said...

Pretty mitts! That crochet pattern looks very complicated. It sure seems that Christmas cactus plants do well in FLA. Must be all that wonderful sunshine. Must be fun to have a little one to share the holiday with! He sure is a cute.