Yarns are mostly Brown Sheep Nature Spun, main color is eucalyptus, contrasts are blueberry and beet red and the silvery gray is a peruvian wool from Elann.

1/28/11: Finished the second outer mitten a couple days ago. As of tonight, one even has a thumb. I’m trying to decide on the inner mittens. I’ve got merino/alpaca in a beautiful heathered gray I could spin.

1/29/11: Working on second mitts thumb and realized I never changed colors on the first one. That’s why it looks sooo long when it’s actually perfect (just enough room for liner). Oops. Will fix that.

Thumb fixed. Also added pic (pre-thumb fix) of the wrong side of first mitten because I always want to see the back of other’s work. I’m carrying main color on top.

2/6/11: Lining done on first mitten. Knit from Filatura Lanarota Puno alpaca in denim on #3 Kollage square DPNs. I knit the lining a little snug since it’s 100% alpaca and will stretch.

Mods: I went down a needle size for the lining to make sure it fit nice and smooth inside the outer mitten. I also did the decreases on the liner the same as for the outer, knowing I wouldn’t be able to stand the ripples of the gathered fabric as per pattern.

On difficulty rating: I never know how to rate things--according to my level or someone elses? The i-cord cast on is a bit fiddly, charts scare some (look them up, ask for help, once you “get” charts, you’ll see how much easier they are), there’s the stranding (of course) and picking up stitches to knit the lining mitten. But, really, just take it step-by-step and these are not at all difficult!

A couple things to remember as you knit them--
1. Carry your strands gently (not too tight, not too loose), spreading your stitches out as you go helps. Be extra careful in carrying from one needle to another. Get it down early before your hands find a rhythm.

2. Block them before you do the liners! I just washed them, pulled into shape and smoothed out. It made all the difference in evening out any wonky stitches.

3. For the liner, make sure to put it on waste yarn to check fit when the pattern says to. I made adjustments to fit my knitting and my hands based on this. I had the thought that I might do the next pair’s liners separate from the outer mitts beginning with provisional cast on (graft later) in order to try on more as I go. Realized I’d have to take it off the needles anyway to check fit of liner in mitten.

Love, love, love them!