Totally Smitten!

Katie models the mittens I've just finished as a Christmas gift for my sister. They are from Mission Falls' "Smitten" book, the "Advika" pattern. These are knit flat, as opposed to in the round, and were really fairly easy. I had to learn how to crochet-- there are small round mirrors underneath the crocheted rings, and the ruffle at the cuff is a crocheted chain. Pretty easy, I suspect, but my learning curve isn't particularly steep. The Mission Falls superwash wool was fairly easy to knit with; although it had a tendency to split, I suspect that was a problem only b/c of my own lack of expertise. Unfortunately, Mission Falls is no longer manufacturing yarn according to the LYS where I purchased it, so I will have to find a substitution to make any of the other patterns!

Winter Wonderland!

I'm finally back! I'm working on my dad's computer, and I've had a bear of a time trying to access my photos after downloading them onto his computer! I've been more determined than this beastie of a machine, and here's a picture of my girls and me outside my parents' Crested Butte house. The snow has been marvelous this year; it snowed all day on our first day here, and the girls have had a blast making snow angels, throwing snow balls, and now that Uncle Mo is here to pack down the sledding hill, racing on sleds! We'll head into town tomorrow to try the giant sledding hill there, maybe ice skate on the outdoor pond. I'm not much of a skiier, although DH is planning on taking DD#1 on the slopes for a half day. Dad has plans to take us on a snow mobiling adventure. DH has loved that in the past, but he's a little hesitant after the ATV accident. Dad promised "touring" speed, as opposed to "tearing it up," like the boys usually do, and I'm excited about trying it! (If Joey won't go, Dad said he'll take me. I'm lucky to still be able to be a Daddy's Girl!) MOSTLY I'll sit near the fire, drink hot beverages, and knit! (The link to the Crested Butte site is the Mountain Resort site, but it's the best I've found for pictures. We've come up here every summer since I was 5-- it's been pretty much the only vacation place I've known, and I'm good with that!-- so we consider ourselves "locals" of a sort. And yes, it really is that beautiful!)