Sometimes you just need a project that you can start and finish within a weekend.  I felt like that last Friday, when I decided to fulfill my third child's request for a pair of socks.  I pulled this fun Regia Crazy Stripes from my sock stash - a gift from the World's Greatest Secret Pal, Lynette, during the first round of Secret Pal, designed and executed by my blogging inspiration, Sandy.

Yarn:  Regia Crazy Stripes, 2 balls

Needles:  Clover Bamboo, size 3

Pattern:  Yankee Knitters Classic Socks for the Family

I worked pretty hard at matching up my stripes, despite the annoying fact that the sections of color were not uniform.  The first sock was a blast.  The second required a skilled eye and the guts to cut and weave ends.

With the remains, I decided to add to my Dulaan box with these toddler mittens. 

These mittens caused me hours of worry.  Not about the knitting, I decided to throw caution to the wind and let the stripes lie where they may.  But any mom of a toddler knows that toddlers and mittens do not go together, and I kept thinking "Who will be sure that they get their thumb in?" and "Who will track down the missing mitten when it falls in the mud?". 

This lead to thoughts of toddlers in orphanages.  Babies are cute, and older kids can fend for themselves a bit, but toddlers?  It is amazing to me that they survive at all with their tendency to do the opposite of what needs to be done to get through the day.  They might look cute, but they are definition of CLUE-less!  So I added a cord and put the mittens in the box, hoping that they will find their way to a toddler lucky enough to have someone who understands them and helps them along.

Have a Great Weekend, Everyone!

PS - I have an update on Celtic Dreams over at the Blackwater Abbey Knit Along...

Comments

[Colleen]

Cute mits!

[Suzanne]

Your child will love those socks! I made each of my kids a pair using the Regia and they have been wearing them every time they go out in the snow to play or sled. In fact, it is time for me to start some new ones for them because their feet have grown!

[Kim]

What a wonderful thing to do with those adorable mittens, Mary Beth. The socks are terrific, too! Lucky kids!

[Tracy]

I'm awaiting my Celtic Dream pattern, somewhere in that big blue sky over the Atlantic! Cute socks and mittens, don't you just love it when you actually get a request for socks..makes you feel all warm inside.

[Norma]

Love the socks and LOVE THE MITTS (louder voice there, but not really a shout. Well, heck, yes it is a shout...) I know exactly what you mean about the toddler mitts, and I've been having all the same feelings and thoughts. Sweet of you to think to put the cord on.

[Margene]

The mittens will be well loved and because they have so much less than we do so they will be considered a treasure.

[sandy]

Oh, I know! And our kids THINK they have it tough! I love those mitts. Just knowing some lucky toddler will feel the warmth from their hands to your heart, well..it just makes me all watery eyed! :)
I seem to love when things are mis-striped. I'm sure that says something about me.
And that you said I am an inspiration?
sniffsniff..
Go eat some ham!

[Teresa C]

I knitted a sweater in the same technique years ago (where is that thing now?). Not one itty bitty little seam to sew, it was great. Yours looks beautiful.

[Jackie]

Cute cute cute!! Love the striping on both socks and mitts. Celtic Dreams is beautiful as well!

[Snowball]

I've got some handspun that my son has been begging me to turn into socks for him since Xmess. Maybe I'll do that during Spring Break next week.

Every so often, I see a baby or toddler and miss having one so little. Then I see that wicked look in a toddler's eye that tells me they haven't yet figured out that the world doesn't revolve around their needs, and I'm grateful mine are civilized. (The boy will be 9 in April, and the girl will be 20 in May.)

[Cassie]

Celtic Dreams looks great.

[lynette]

your socks and mittens are great! i remember that yarn. it's such a pleasure when your children ask you to knit for them. that was very thoughtful of you to add a cord to the mittens.

[Eva Shiu]

The socks and mittens look great ! I love colourful stripes. Celtic Dreams is beautiful too ! Can't wait to see the FO comes out !

[Siow Chin]

Great job, those socks and mittens. And Celtic Dreams is looking lovely. I'm still waiting for The Knitter to confirm my order...