Christmas music mittens

I've just finished a Christmas present: Anne Neumann's fingerless music mittens:

The pattern is free, and is found here, both in German and English. The pattern gives instruction for a medium woman size. I added 5 sts in each side to make them fit a man's hand. I wonder if they're a little big? We'll see. I used white Juvel (which is super wash, so I can't hope for shrinking) and Kauni Effektgarn for contrast (which certainly shrinks... not a good combination, maybe). Anyway, I like the result, hopefully the receiver will too.

Birthday present for a Barcelona fan

I really like the FCBarcelona colours. And I was inspired to make a hat (well, not only because of the colours, I have a Barça fan in the family as well). I've also made the pattern available for others. But for the moment, there is something wrong with the Ravelrys download link. Ravelry users can find the pattern here. Others can make a comment, and I can give them an expiring link to the pattern (that seems to work). The pattern is free of charge. If you wish, you can do as Barça, and support UNICEF. (Pattern only gives measurements in cm, assuming that most Barça fans are metric.)

UPDATE: Pattern can now be found here.

I'm published!

I usually do not surf on the Internet at work. But today I had to check out the new Winter Issue of The Inside Loop. And there they were, my two patterns, the cowl Amiga and the Hippocampus mittens. Along with many other beautiful patterns. I'm thinking of downsizing the Armenius jumper, to fit a 10 year old boy, and the gorgeous cabled scarf, Blowsey Ruffles is also in my queue.

Thanks to Ragnhild for modelling the neckwarmer! You can see more amiga photos here.

I notice that esecially the mittens have had a nice welcome on Ravelry. Until last spring, I had accepted the fact that mittens were not my thing. But that was before I discovered the "magic loop". It's not that dpn's are so terrible to knit with (although I try to avoid them if I can). My problem has been the "second sock (mitten) syndrome". When I start a project, I already have several others on my mind. And after finising one mitten, it's hard to get on with the second one... But the magic loop has saved me (thanks, Ravelry). But this lonely guy is still suffering:

Blog start

Some days ago I received a mail from Kate in The Inside Loop: "There's just a week until the Winter issue of TIL goes live on 20th November. If you would like to start plugging the fact that you have a pattern in this issue on your blog, Ravelry, etc, then you are welcome to start doing so!"

I actually have two patterns in this issue - I don't really believe it till I see it, though, my first published patterns! So I figured this was a good occasion to start blogging. I'm not allowed to show pictures of the projects yet. So in the meantime you can have a look at my Wintergreen mittens, finished earlier today. It's a lovely pattern, and a fun knit.