I love the story behind these mittens. I saw Torirot’s lizard mitten pattern while cruising around Ravelry one day and decided my 7-soon-to-be-8-year-old nephew Tim might like them for his December birthday, so I called my sister and while we were on the phone my sister asked him if he liked lizards and his reply was that he really liked Texas Blind Salamanders! Tim is a little science guy and proceeded to describe these unusual critters that only live in the water-filled caves along the Edwards Aquifer near San Marcos, Texas. They are completely blind because they live underground and have blood red external gills on their necks. Sadly their conservation status is listed as threatened because of pollution and water overuse caused by growing cities. After being educated about these creatures by Tim, I pulled up pictures of them on the internet and modified the lizard mitten pattern by removing the eyes. I also added in Tim’s name and the year on the palms, and after knitting them embroidered the gills on the necks of the salamanders. Auntie Alice has done her small part for conservation because I am sure that Tim tells everyone who notices his mittens all about Texas Blind Salamanders. So don’t pollute and turn off the faucet while you brush your teeth!