Recent Knitting Projects - Cowl Scarf and Mittens Sets

My cowl scarf knitting pattern continues to be popular. Eight people have it in their carts as I write this! Lots of people are using it to DIY their own projects, and my finished cowls keep selling out in the Marion's Mittens Etsy shop.

As a result I've been knitting lots more cowls and decided to offer cowl and mittens sets in my shop. Here are the sets that are finished so far:

ocean blue cowl scarf & mittens set

charcoal gray heather cowl

charcoal gray heather mittens

My original oatmeal tweed and chunky soft cowls continue to be popular, too. More to come! I'll continue sharing finished projects here as well as on Ravelry under marionsmittens.

See all of them on the Marion's Mittens Etsy shop

DIY - Double Moss Stitch Cowl Knitting Pattern

I've had so much fun knitting cowls that I decided to release a pattern! It's very simple - an easy project for a beginning knitter and something relaxing for the more experienced knitter. The double moss stitch gives great texture to the cowl. 

Cowls were my project of choice when I was working early on to improve my knitting skills. My goal was to get really comfortable with knit and purl stitches on straight needles before progressing to the double pointed needles needed to knit mittens in the round. 

One of the first items sold in the Marion's Mittens Etsy shop was a gray cowl. Interestingly enough, it was purchased by a NYC-based Shakespeare theater group who wanted to use it as chain mail in part of a costume!

Our finished cowls have gone far and wide. Fun fact: one of the cowls is award-winning! Here's one taking home second prize in the scarf class at the fair:

I've adapted the cowl pattern over the years. Over the summer, I discovered Fair Isle Nantucket yarn at Joann. The yarn is super soft and cozy and I knew it would be great for a cowl. I adjusted the pattern so that it takes a little less than one skein of this yarn. 

In January of 2019 a group of testers from the Ravelry Free Pattern Testers (FPT) group tested out the pattern and provided feedback. It was fun to see how the projects they made using this pattern turned out, and to collaborate with them to improve the pattern. Click here to see the pattern and projects on Ravelry.

The double moss cowl pattern is available for purchase on Etsy.

Top Knitted Gift Picks of 2018 and USPS Holiday Shipping Deadlines

There's no need to panic if you haven't finished (or started) your Christmas shopping. You can order as late as December 21 and packages shipped within the continental U.S. will still make it in time for the holiday. 

The USPS has provided the following shipping deadlines for the continental U.S. (orders must be placed on the day prior):

• First-Class Mail - Dec. 20 (order by Dec. 19)
• Priority Mail - Dec. 20 (order by Dec. 19)
• Priority Mail Express - Dec. 22 (order by Dec. 21)

The shipping deadline for First-Class and Priority Mail International is Dec. 8 (order by Dec. 7) for Australia/New Zealand, Canada, and Europe.

And here are a few gift ideas for anyone and any budget. They all ship free!

green scarf | more scarves

red headband | more colors

gray mittens for adults | for kids

bag charm

wool newborn hat

white baby afghan | more blankets

burgundy baby mittens | more colors

View the Marion's Mittens Etsy shop

Knitting a Super Duper Custom Mittens, Hat, and Scarf Set

We love when customers reach out to us with custom ideas. Recently we had a request for a matching hat, scarf, and mittens set. The hat was similar to ones we already had (just a different color), but the scarf was a new design and the mittens needed to be in a size that didn't exactly match up with what we usually make. No problem! We were up to the challenge.

My aunt made the hat and scarf. She has been making these on her Addi knitting machine. It's still very much a handmade process: the yarn has to be fed onto the Addi, the machine is cranked by hand, the finished item has to be removed by hand, and then there is hand stitching to finish the garment.

Marion made the mittens, of course. They were for someone for small hands and so made to custom specifications with a short cuff.

We are always happy to take requests for customer orders. In the event that we can't make something - we'll tell you. But in most cases we are able to work with a customer's specifications. Customer orders take anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months to make and deliver. Timing depends on the season and how many other custom orders we've got in the queue.

Check out what we've got in store

Request a custom order

Knitted Items at the County Fair - 2018 Edition

This year marked my fourth year entering handmade items in the county fair and the second year of entering some items for Marion. It's always exciting to see if we win any ribbons and to find out what comments the judges leave for our items.

Knitted Baby Sweater

Marion's baby sweater took first place! She recently gave me this vintage cardigan to list on our Etsy shop. It's yellow with an extra special white detail along the top. She's been knitting baby sweater sets in this pattern for more than 70 years. The judge's note? "Perfect."

Knitted Hat

Marion's baby bonnet is knitted to match the sweater set, although I entered a plain white one that didn't match the yellow sweater. It won second place!

Knitted Baby Booties

These booties are typically part of the sweater and bonnet set. They won second place.

Scarf

My super soft and textured purple cowl received a second place ribbon. I wasn't sure how it'd do since it's not a traditional scarf. I'm glad the judges liked it as much as I do!

Children's Mittens

I made a last-minute decision to enter a pair of our thumbless mini mittens instead of a pair of kids' mittens like I usually do. It turned out to be the right decision! My mini mittens took first place in this class.

Interested in trying to make a pair of these yourself? The pattern is on Ravelry and Etsy!

4-Needle Mittens

This class was a head-to-head competition for us. I entered a pair of mittens that Marion made as well as a pair I've been working on this summer. Marion's were made from Caron Simply Soft Party in Fuchsia Sparkle and I used an alpaca fiber. I knitted the thumbs onto my mittens the night before entries had to be dropped off. They were a bit small but I didn't have time to do them over.

Marion, the original mitten maker, won the class! My mittens were right behind in second place. It was the perfect way to close out the fair and the summer.

More fun at the fair: 2017 | 2016 | 2015

Recently Finished Objects - Knitted Cowls and Mittens for Kids

After a busy winter of knitting mittens and crocheting strings for them, I decided to wrap up a bunch of projects that have been laying around in my craft room. Let's take a look!

The first one I finished up was a pink cowl knitted in double moss stitch. As soon as I picked it up I realized I only had to knit a few more rows, bind off, and sew the ends together. It was an easy finish! This is the first time I tried knitting a cowl with circular needles. I wasn't knitting in the round, but the circular set was much shorter than any pair of straight needles I had in this size. More details on this project on Ravelry. Or, order this cowl on Etsy.

That cowl inspired me to do another cowl using the Caron Simply Soft tweed yarn I picked up. The colorway is called off white and it has flecks of tan and chocolate brown. It's very pretty, but it's probably likely that the tweed pieces will fall off at some point. More details on this project on Ravelry. Or, order this cowl on Etsy.

I had three of these lime green mittens for kids knitted. Why three? I was going to knit a pair for a friend's son. I didn't realize I'd knitted two already and finished a third. At this point, I was tired of the project, and took a break. I finally picked the needles back up, finished the fourth mitten, and worked my way through all four thumbs. Between this project and the cowls I'd done quite a bit of crocheting so it was nice to get back to knitting for a change. More details on Ravelry or order these mittens on Etsy.

Not pictured (because it's not finished) is some progress I made on a white checkerboard baby afghan. It's quite large (46" square) and progress is slow. But I knocked out a few other rows. I also started learning to crochet baby afghans and made three of them. But that'll be good for another post.

Marion's Mittens on Ravelry

Marion's Mittens on Etsy

Knit Messy Bun Hats & Headbands

All of our knitted headbands are on sale this week. One style is wide enough to work as a messy bun hat or a neck cowl. Talk about a multitasker!

Shop the sale

This is the wider style of the two headbands. It has a snug fit for maximum warmth.

The narrower headband takes on a loose braided style and looks great from all angles! These headbands are a perfect match to our infinity scarves. Available individually or as a set of three.

Scarves, baby hats and afghans, and crochet shop towels are also on sale this week!

Shop the sale

What Goes Into Shipping Fees? USPS Announces Rate Increases for 2016

Who doesn't love free shipping? I know I do! (And we offer free shipping to all repeat customers.) Postage costs, however, continue to rise. The Post Office has just announced its proposed rate increases for 2016. Some rates will go up as much as 15.6%.

Unfortunately, Marion's Mittens customers will be impacted by the increases. Here's a summary of increases for domestic (USA) customers:

• Small flat rate boxes will increase from $5.25 to $6.10. We use these to ship pompom garlands and some mini mittens sets.
• Priority Mail costs will increase by 9.4%. If you want your package faster, it will cost anywhere from $0.55 to $5.66 more.
• First Class Mail costs will increase by 12.6%. The Post Office is raising rates by up to $0.56 per package. 

The First Class Mail increase may seem minimal, but it has the biggest impact on our customers; most of our items are shipped First Class. Commercial discounting for this service is also being eliminated, so we will no longer be able to pass on savings of up to $1.00 per package to you. 

We are already doing what we can to minimize shipping costs. We use relatively inexpensive, lightweight poly mailers to stay within the weight limits of First Class. The Post Office is increasing the First Class weight limit from 13 to 16 ounces in 2016; Etsy has already been offering First Class rates in this weight range.

Also important to note is that the cost for the Priority Mail Express option is increasing by 15.6%. Customers rarely choose this at checkout because it is so pricey. You should know, however, that this and overnight are the ONLY shipping options for which the Post Office will guarantee delivery times. Although the PO quotes delivery times of 2-9 days for First Class and 1-3 days for Priority, I have been informed that they are simply estimates. 

What about our international customers? If you choose First Class International at checkout, you'll pay an average of 21.6% more. Expect to pay 10.2% more for Priority Mail International.

Although these rate increases seem steep, it seems like most domestic customers will pay no more than $1.00 extra. The average cost to ship a pair of mittens via First Class in 2015 was less than $3.00; I'm confident the price will  be under $4.00 for 2016. That's still not too bad considering many online retailers charge a minimum of $8.00 per package.

Cowls: The Perfect Fall Layering Piece

It's finally fall, and while a full scarf might be too warm, a cowl is the perfect layering piece for an autumn outfit.

red knit cowl neck scarf

Shop all scarves at Marion's Mittens

How to Keep Your Hands Warm During Frigid Winter Weather

multicolor mittens for adults

Brr, it's been cold! I've been living in my mittens for the past week. Here in New York the temperature hasn't risen above 20 degrees, and it's often closer to 0 or below.

As someone who suffers from Raynaud's phenomena, my hands are particularly icy. Having poor circulation is not a good thing in the winter. So, from years of experience, here are some of my tips for keeping your hands warm when it's super cold.

Wear Mittens or Gloves

This is kind of a no-brainer, but keep your hands covered to maintain warmth! I prefer mittens in most cases, because my fingers seem to stay warmer when they're together.

One craft fair customer asked me if Marion's Mittens are warm enough for the winter chill. They're fine for average days, but for someone like me, they're not quite enough on frigid days with major wind chills. For those days I either layer two pairs of Marion's Mittens or wear insulated and waterproof LL Bean mittens. 

Use Hand Warmers

The Grabber warmers are awesome for keeping you warm over an extended period outdoors. I stick them in my mittens or in my pockets.

extra long scarf

Layer

Keeping your torso warm holds heat in that areas so it isn't pulled from your extremities. Wear a few layers of tops and consider a scarf, too! 

Try Fish Oil

While I take a prescription medication to keep my Raynaud's in check, it's often not enough, especially in the winter. A daily fish oil supplement can make a difference in keeping my hands warm.

Cozy up With a Heated Blanket or Heating Pad

My heated blanket and heating pad are my best friends! The blanket is great when I'm on the couch or at my desk. I wrap it around like a shawl and am nice and warm while I work. I use the heating pad to warm up the bed before I get in at night.

The heating pad is also great for warming up my clothes in the morning. Who wants to go from a warm bed to icy clothes? I lay the clothes on the heating pad while I brush my teeth and then they're warm and toasty when I put them on.

Keep Moving

I tend to get cold when I sit for extended periods of time. A walk, some yoga, or even housework can all help you to warm up. 

It can be tempting to take a hot shower to warm up your hands. Resist the temptation of they're extra chilly - the hot water can be painful! Instead, make sure your hands (and feet) are reasonably warm before hitting the shower.

Hopefully some of these tips will help you stay warm this winter. Bundle up and stay cozy!

Shop Marion's Mittens

Holiday Shipping Deadlines + Gift Ideas from Marion's Mittens

Did you know that the holiday shipping deadlines for the USPS are Saturday, December 20? This year the deadline is the same for both first class and priority mail packages. If you plan on ordering something online to be wrapped and under the tree by Christmas, you'd better get to it!

I'm just about done with my own shopping but still have a few gifts to track down. I'd better get to it to make sure they make it to their destinations on time!

Although a big order wiped out some of our supply of mittens for adults, there are still lots of pairs to choose from. Scarves, too! Shop Marion's Mittens on Etsy.

Why are Red and Green Christmas Colors? And a Selection of Marion's Mittens in Red and Green.

Red and green mittens are always popular color choices for mittens this time of year. I know that

these are traditional Christmas colors but I didn't know why until I did a little research. Here's what I found out:

Green is a Christmas color because evergreen plants (holly and mistletoe) were used to decorate indoor spaces in the wintertime. This goes back to Egyptian and Roman times! During the Middle Ages, Paradise plays featuring green trees decorated with red apples were performed on Christmas Eve.

Red is also tied into those apples and to the berries on holly. It was also the color of bishops' robes that were worn by St. Nicholas, and by extension, Santa Claus! 

Here's a selection of the red and green items that are available right now.

red mittens for... adults | kids 7-8 | kids 5-6 | kids 3-4

kelly green mittens for... kids 7-8 | kids 5-6 | kids 3-4 | 6-12 months

marsala red mittens for... adults | 12-18 months

sage green mittens for... adults | kids 5-6 | 18-24 months

sunset mittens for... adults

soft green mittens for... preemies

red striped scarf

green zigzag scarf

There's still plenty of time to order and receive these before Christmas. The US Post Office's deadline is December 20; orders need to be in to me by December 19. Shop the full Marion's Mittens store on Etsy.

Christmas colors resource.

Cyber Monday Deal from Marion's Mittens - Free Shipping! Shop Unique on Etsy This Holiday Season

If you missed out on our Black Friday deal, don't be sad... it's Cyber Monday!

Today we're offering USA customers free shipping on any order of $20 or more. Head on over to our Etsy shop to browse!

Happy shopping! And, as always, remember to sign up for our e-newsletter. The sales are always bigger for our best customers!

2014 Black Friday Deals from Marion's Mittens! #ShopUnique and Buy Handmade on Etsy

Happy Thanksgiving! As you prepare to feast with your family, remember to be thankful for online shopping. No need to stand in long lines. A few taps on your phone or some browsing on your computer is all you need to do to buy your gifts.

Handmade presents are always special, even if you don't make them yourself. It tells the recipient that you took time to choose something unique, rather than a pre-packaged gift on a display in a big box store.

Here's our Black Friday promotion:

Starting now through the end of the day on 11/28 you can take 40% off of your order of $40 or more! That's kind of like buying two adult pairs and getting a kid's pair for free.  :)

Orders placed this weekend should most certainly arrive in time for holiday delivery in the USA and Canada. There's a good chance other places will receive their shipments in time, too. Head on over to our Etsy shop to browse!

Happy shopping! And, as always, please sign up for our newsletter if you'd like access to extra-special sales. ;)

How to Wear a Knitted Scarf 3 Ways

There are so many ways to wear a scarf, especially a lightweight one. But as the weather turns chilly, a lightweight scarf doesn't always cut it for keeping you warm. A thicker knit will help!

Here are three ways to wear a thick, knitted scarf.

Looped: fold the scarf in half, lay it around your neck, put the two ends through the fold at the other end, and tighten.

Green & Blue Zigzag Scarf

Single Wrap: put the scarf around your neck from front to back, then bring the ends to the front.

Autumn Multicolor Scarf

Double Tucked Wrap: wind the scarf around your neck and tuck in the ends, giving it the appearance of a cozy infinity scarf. This helps prevent the ends from peeking out under the bottom of your coat, too.

Long Navy Blue Scarf

What's your favorite way to wear a scarf? Shop the scarves shown here and more in the Marion's Mittens scarf shop.

Scarves! We've got striped ones and multi-color, camo and solids...

But do you recall... the most famous scarf of them all....

Okay, maybe I'm mixing up my Christmas carols with all of the scarves that are in the Etsy shop!  But I'm excited about all of the scarves we have available. My aunt knitted them and they are so nice. Super soft just like the mittens and lots of different color choices!

Here are the solids:

And here are the multi-colors and stripes:

Which one is your favorite? Click here for details and to order a new scarf!