I found out recently that one of my nephews was in need of mittens. I’d made him a pair a couple of years ago, but somehow one got lost, and plus he’s grown since then. Aunt Knitter to the rescue! He has a winter birthday and a pair of mittens would be a lovely gift. He is currently infatuated with Lightning McQueen so that was my inspiration. I had just the right colors of Knit Picks Brava Worsted in my stash, I chose Tin Can Knits’ World’s Simplest Mittens, and cast on. How could I go wrong?? (*dun dun DUN* This is called foreshadowing.)
Wow, the first mitten went fast! Just a couple of hours over two nights and I had a finished mitt. I thought it looked kind of big, and the proportions seemed a little off, but the length measurement matched the pattern specifications, so off I went onto the second mitten.
From the start, I questioned myself. It said to cast on 28 stitches. That number seemed wrong. I didn’t remember casting on that number the first time. But oh well, I’m getting old, I’d slept since then, whatever. I kept going. This mitten went even faster than the first; I finished all but the thumb in one night. Woohoo! Yay me, right?
HAHA. No. I held the first mitten up to the second. The second mitten was MUCH smaller. Not really shorter, but the body was a lot narrower. I counted stitches and discovered I’d cast on 32 stitches the first time. No wonder 28 didn’t sound familiar! Somehow my eyes had landed on the stitch count for the child size in DK weight the first time, and the second time I actually did it correctly. Sigh. At least I have one mostly-finished mitten in the right size. I spent the rest of my knitting time last night frogging the first mitten so I could reuse the yarn. Waste not, want not, right? And I’m grateful that it’s small, so I have time to get it finished before the birthday party this weekend! #mustknitquickly
This is the “bad” mitten
Have you ever had a disaster trying to make two things the same size?
bonnyknits 
The situation isn’t funny, but the writing sure is enjoyable! Bad mitten! Bad bad mitten!
🙂 Oh I hear you!
I usually work pairs the same time with two sets of needles. This also helps me to avoid a collection of singles 🙂
I’ve heard of people doing two at a time, but usually on two circs. Is that what you mean? I’m starting to see the benefit, that’s for sure!
I simply use two sets of 5 needles. DPN I guess is the English term.
Clever idea! I might have to give it a shot!
The downside is that you have to go to the don’t-mention-it-store to get those dpns
That’s a downside?? I’d think it was an upside! They often have yarn at those kinds of stores. 😉
Psssst! Don’t use the y-word ;-D
Been there, done that…not with mittens…but oh how frustrating it is!
It is! I’m so glad this happened with something small like a kid’s mitten!
Loved the foreshadowing… 😉
I agree with Betsy (laughing with you, not at you, but laughing all the same :D) BAD mitten!
Haha, any way I get a laugh is fine by me! 🙂
Haha yes I made my dad xl mittens and one is slightly bigger all over I think I’ll be trying the magic loop method for 2 at a time in 2018
Hate when that happens! It always feels like I discover my knitting mistakes when I’m tens of rows past it.
Oh yes! I’m very much a perfectionist except when it comes to knitting, and then I’m usually like, Eh, it’s a design feature now!