Part of the Making Winter series started by Silverpebble and Thriftyhousehold.

In my opinion one of the best things about winter is the woolies. I do like to be snuggly when it's cold and have a particular weakness for gloves and scarves so anytime I make anything for myself it usually ends up being either of these. Since winter is now well and truly here, it's inevitable that I'd have several such snuggly projects on the go…

The first is a pair of mittens from a beautiful fairisle pattern called Peerie Flooers by Kate Davies.

I'm knitting these flat because I find it much quicker and I really, really hate knitting in the round. I've made another few tweaks to suit what I like (all notes over on ravelry) but Kate's colour choices are so perfect so I'm working in those…

… Arncliffe, Bainbridge, Hubberholme, Leyburn, Muker, Nappa, Richmond in Rowan fine tweed.

I've also got 2 other pairs of fingerless mittens on the go, one that I started last year and never finished and another that I started a few weeks back. Both are worked in Madeline Tosh sock yarn. The yellow ones are from a free pattern called hedgerow by Amy Ripton and are worked in 'winter wheat'. The stripey ones are worked in 'thyme' and 'wash' and are based on my favourite ever mitten pattern Endpapers by Eunny Jang (which is also free) with lots of personal tweaks.

According to H, I have enough mittens to sink a battleship already but I reckon there's always room for a few more pairs (my ravelry queue is testament to this and has links to some great patterns).

And then there's my scarf collection, but we'll leave those for another day – I'll be back later in the week with a simple scarf tutorial.

I'm still rather astonished at all of the comments that I received on the previous post for my little giveaway. When I started this blog in 2006 I didn't really know where it would take me and I certainly didn't imagine for one minute that I'd have so many people around the world who were interested in the little things that I love to make. I don't know how to  begin to thank everyone for the kind comments and for keeping me company here, I am so very grateful.

After all of the recent bunny knitting I've been enjoying dipping back into some of the other unfinished projects that are lurking in baskets and bags around here. In particular my old china blanket which was supposed to be a one a day project but has been a little neglected of late. Back in October it had 49 squares…

Today it has 68…

Still, it is progressing, even if the pace is a bit slow. I've decided that I'm aiming for 99 squares (9 x 11) with a wide-ish border of some sort. I had hoped to have it finished by Christmas but I'm beginning to suspect it won't be, especially now that we've entered the final run up and there are so many other demands on my time. I have also begun to suspect that it will in fact not be mine when it's finished as someone around here seems to have taken rather a fancy to it!

Still, that's what it's all about really, it is a lovely feeling when you've made something that someone else treasures.

Wishing you all a stress-free week, may all your Christmas shopping trips be successful!