Mittens In May

This past winter, we had a bit of a problem with Loreli's mittens.  The cuffs were too short and snow kept creeping up her jacket sleeves while sledding & making snowmen.  I had promised her way back then that I would make her new mittens but....well, I just didn't.  So getting ahead of the game for next year, I cast on for some mittens in May!

Pattern: Classic Mittens

FREE PATTERN!!!

What an excellent pattern!  There are 5 size options and I can see myself referring to this pattern repeatedly as Loreli grows.

I nicknamed these "Scrappy Mittens" because they were made of almost all scraps I had laying around.  Loreli's were made of Knit Picks Swish Worsted in Sugar Plum and Caron Simply Soft in White and Heather Gray.  I love how these turned out!

More scraps, for mine I used Vanna's Choice Bright Pink and Black.  These feel a little on the scratchy side, but I think they'll be great on cold winter days.  I think I'll make the cuffs a tad longer for myself the next time I use this pattern though.

Mini Disney Vacation Recap

We're back from our getaway!  We had a fabulous time there, even though we didn't go to any of the Disney parks.  Instead, we spent our time at the pool, Downtown Disney and the Boardwalk.  **Warning, this is a very picture-heavy post.  I had a hard time eliminating photos!**

The Contemporary Resort and Disney World

We were really lucky to stay at the Contemporary Resort.  What a wonderful location, right next to Magic Kingdom.  When we checked in, we were asked if we were celebrating anything and when we told them it was our anniversary, they upgraded us to a room with a view of Cinderella's Castle!  What a beautiful view to wake up to!

View from Contemporary Resort, Magic Kingdom view

And at night, there was no need to run up to the roof to watch the fireworks -- we just sat on the balcony to watch the show.

Cinderella's Castle at night

I've never been to Downtown Disney and let me tell you, it was love at first sight!  The bus dropped us off right in front of Disney's Days of Christmas store.  Fate?  Absolutely!

Photo op outside Disney's Days of Christmas Store

We also stopped in Once Upon a Toy, saying hello to Mr. Potato Head on our way in...

Posing with Mr. Spud himself

...and the Lego Imagination Center.  Many ridiculously awesome Lego designs!

Woody & Buzz Lightyear built with Legos

All said and done, it was a great time, just a little short.  We're crossing our fingers that Shane's work conference will be held yet again at a Disney Resort and we can bring Loreli to meet Mickey & Minnie.  =)

Hanging with Mickey at the Contemporary Resort

 

Dolphin Dishcloth

I'm still on my "I'm going on a vacation!" kick, so here's another Floridian-themed cloth!  Enjoy!  =)

Dolphin Cloth

Supplies:

1 Skein Lily Sugar n Cream yarn

US #3/3.25mm needles

Yarn needle

(Finished size approximately 8-1/2" x 8-1/2")

Instructions:

Cast on 41 sts

Rows 1-6: (K1, P1) to last stitch, K1

Row 7 (and all odd rows): (K1, P1) x2, P to last 4 sts, (P1, K1) x2

Row 8: (K1, P1) x2, K33, (P1, K1) x2

Row 10: (K1, P1) x2, K28, P3, K2, (P1, K1) x2

Row 12: (K1, P1) x2, K27, P3, K3, (P1, K1) x2

Row 14: (K1, P1) x2, K26, P3, K4, (P1, K1) x2

Row 16: (K1, P1) x2, K26, P4, K3, (P1, K1) x2

Row 18: (K1, P1) x2, K26, P6, K1, (P1, K1) x2

Row 20: (K1, P1) x2, K25, P6, K2, (P1, K1) x2

Row 22: (K1, P1) x2, K24, P4, K5, (P1, K1) x2

Row 24: (K1, P1) x2, K23, P5, K5, (P1, K1) x2

Row 26: (K1, P1) x2, K22, P5, K6, (P1, K1) x2

Row 28: (K1, P1) x2, K21, P6, K6, (P1, K1) x2

Row 30: (K1, P1) x2, K20, P7, K6, (P1, K1) x2

Row 32: (K1, P1) x2, K12, P2, K5, P7, K7, (P1, K1) x2

Row 34: (K1, P1) x2, K11, P3, K4, P8, K7, (P1, K1) x2

Row 36: (K1, P1) x2, K10, P3, K4, P9, K7, (P1, K1) x2

Row 38: (K1, P1) x2, K10, P3, K3, P9, K8, (P1, K1) x2

Row 40: (K1, P1) x2, K10, P4, K1, P10, K8, (P1, K1) x2

Row 42: (K1, P1) x2, K10, P14, K9, (P1, K1) x2

Row 44: (K1, P1) x2, K9, P15, K9, (P1, K1) x2

Row 46: (K1, P1) x2, K8, P15, K10, (P1, K1) x2

Row 48: (K1, P1) x2, K7, P16, K10, (P1, K1) x2

Row 50: (K1, P1) x2, K4, P18, K11, (P1, K1) x2

Row 52: (K1, P1) x2, K1, P20, K12, (P1, K1) x2

Row 54: (K1, P1) x2, K1, P19, K13, (P1, K1) x2

Row 56: (K1, P1) x2, K3, P16, K14, (P1, K1) x2

Row 58: (K1, P1) x2, K4, P16, K13, (P1, K1) x2

Row 60: (K1, P1) x2, K5, P15, K13, (P1, K1) x2

Row 62: (K1, P1) x2, K6, P8, K2, P5, K12, (P1, K1) x2

Row 64: (K1, P1) x2, K7, P5, K6, P4, K11, (P1, K1) x2

Row 66: (K1, P1) x2, K19, P4, K10, (P1, K1) x2

Row 68: (K1, P1) x2, K33, (P1, K1) x2

Row 70: (K1, P1) x2, K33, (P1, K1) x2

Rows 72-76: (K1, P1) to last stitch, K1

Bind off in (K1, P1) pattern.

Weave in ends and block, pushing down on stockinette stitches and leaving the purl stitches (so they "pop"). Lay flat to dry.

My Honey -- Sweater #6

Aptly named, My Honey is a lovely little cardigan for girls.  The designer, Elena Nodel, offers this cardigan in either short or long sleeves.  We chose short sleeves for this one, but I think I will be making a long sleeve version at some point as well.  This was my first Mystery KAL and I'm hooked!

Pattern:  My Honey by Elena Nodel

Yarn:  Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in Prairie Lupine

I liked working with the Cotton Fleece, but I purchased it off Ebay as "seconds".  The description on Ebay said that they dye may not have been completed run out and there could be some variations in the yarn.  The skein I used for the lace and yoke sections have what appears to be bleach spots.  I'm as thrifty as the next girl, but maybe I shouldn't purchase "seconds" anymore...

Classic Raglan -- Sweater #5

I can't tell you how much I adore this pattern!  It's easy, comfortable, and fits perfectly.  I have already bought the yarn for another one and have an idea as to what modifications I'd like to make.  The designer, Jane Richmond, has a great selection of extremely wearable patterns.  I think I'm slowly making my way through all of them!  =)

Pattern: Ladies Classic Raglan Pullover by Jane Richmond

Yarn: Patons Classic Wool in Aran

The pattern calls for Patons Classic Wool, which I used, but for #2 I've decided on Cascade 220 Worsted Wool.  I haven't used it yet and am really looking forward to it.  The colorway I chose, Peacock, is a beautiful heathered yarn of royal blue, purple and green.  I'm really trying hard to save that project for late summer but every time I look through my yarn I want to cast this on again!

The more sweaters I'm making, the more I'm loving top-down and seamless.  Just the thought of having to make a sweater in pieces and sewing them together has me scheming and calculating my way into a seamless version!  Top-down construction is great because you are able to try it on as you knit and lessen any chance of having to rip out all your hard work.