Mittens for the Masses

Good Afternoon,

What exactly is a basic mitten?  Well, in my mind it is a ribbed cuff, followed by a gusseted thumb, or other type of thumb, and then on up to the tip of the mitten.

Then you have the fingerless varieties, and the thumb less for babies and young children, and the mitten with the removable mitten top....and on and on.  You are only limited by your imagination.

Then, there are the double knit mittens, thrummed mittens, colorful, beaded, embroidered, and slightly different shaped tops.  Those shaped tops have to do with how the top is decreased and then finished....decreased to six or eight stitches and then draw the yarn tail through or Kitchener stitched together.

So many choices.  The good news about this is that once you never get bored knitting such a wonderful variety of mittens.  There is something for everyone.  Even with the most basic pattern,  you can introduce a really lovely yarn.  Since most mittens don't take a huge amount of yardage, you can entertain the thought of using something more exotic for that special someone. 

Choices once again, in the fiber arena this time are:  Buffalo, Possum, and Yak, just to name a few.  Don't forget Camel either.  It is another wonderful fiber to knit with.

Get out your paper and a pencil or pen.  Start by tracing hands, labeling the paper with names and maybe some notes on color preferences and fiber considerations. Don't forget to measure the circumference of the hand as well.   Doodle on down the page with some stitch variations, cables, seed stitch, twisted ribs, etc. You now have gifts for your family and friends and never make the same pair twice!

How awesome is that!  Have a great rest of the afternoon and Happy Planning!