Wind proof mittens

Winter is here...

It's been here for over a month but I didn't post anything after loosing my cat and I didn't feel really good for over 2 weeks.

It was time to pick up the needles and make something useful ... mittens.

Winter here is quite long and usually very cold and windy, mostly regular mittens don't keep your fingers from freezing.

Using some of my hand spun to make those mittens, pretty easy fair isle design no big deal but this wouldn't be enough to keep my hands warm.

There was a locks sampler that were waiting to get into some action.

It took me few tries and errors to find a good way to secure the locks at last it worked great.

Now I'm the proud owner of real wind proof mittens.

These locks will felt with wear and time making a nice warm and fuzzy lining.

 I'm ready to head out whatever this winter is bringing.

Pickwick locks in progress...

Back to last fall...

One upon a time there was some raw and dusty locks.

I did washed them.

Then I got really busy and couldn't work them for awhile.

I have decided to dye the locks turquoise.

They are so pretty...but life got in the way again, the weather was so gray I couldn't take a decent picture either.

Now here are the pretty locks sunbathing ;)

And a super carded batt.....

Ain't this lovely to see fluffy wool ready to spin?

First attempt dying locks

This is my first time dying locks, those are from an English Leicester fleece.  It was a fun experience and the result is a very nice rainbow.  I used food colouring with vinegar and about 10 minutes in the microwave.