Project Review: Super Simple Handwarmers...

Back in May I shared with you my Mittspirations post - which came out of my actual need to have a pair of fingerless gloves for winter, since my old faithful pair vanished off the face of the earth (8 weeks later and they’re still MIA). 

Eventually, as the weather continued to get colder and darker, practical needs completely outweighed any fancy schemes to spend time making something a little more intricate, challenging or beautiful - and I simply needed a pair of gloves ASAP! And so for the first time I set about knitting something out of NEED rather than DESIRE.

The Super Simple Handwarmers by Emily Boulduan is what I settled on. With the pattern being made up of a simple 3-color block rectangle, sewn up the sides, leaving a gap for a thumb hole, it’s about as simple as a glove pattern could be. You don’t even have to change colours if you don’t want to! 

However what grabbed my attention, and makes these a little more interesting is the use of texture and colours to create added interest and depth. I grabbed some part- balls of Outlaw Yarn’s Bohemia and Bandit yarn in contrasting colours that I had on hand - a dark navy blue, a lighter blue and a lovely rusty orange red, and set about making the pattern. 

These gloves took me a few evenings to make and were really simple and satisfying.  They’re not perfect - as is my way -  but they are done, they are mine and I was able to start wearing and enjoying them immediately.

​Most importantly, they keep my hands warm - and I can’t emphasise how happy I am about this!

That’s what I’ve found so interesting from this quick, somewhat throwaway, project - I found it immensely satisfying and rewarding. The gloves aren’t extravagant  they’re incredibly plain, and I made them for practical reasons out of yarn I already had, rather than a great passion for the design  - and yet they’re my most worn garment right now, and I get immense pleasure and use from them.

​My mitts go everywhere with me and I don’t leave the house without them in my hands. On very cold mornings, I wear them as I work from home. They’re perfect for riding my bike in. They're great for scrolling my phone whilst I walk or ride the bus. And they’re essential for any dog walk! 

​Simple, practical, resourceful objects that serve us, and we get lots of use from - there’s a lot to be said for them, and I think on a very primal level, there’s something about that that is very appealing and essential. 

Whilst I say they’re very simple and plain - I do admit that the colour combination is incredibly pleasing and I have still managed to receive multiple compliments on them - which shows, its not always what you make, but how you wear it! 

I’ve since passed this pattern on to several people who have asked after the gloves upon seeing me wear them - it’s lovely to be able to share these things and really mean it when I say ‘this pattern can be made by any level of knitter’, and it’d be a top recommendation of mine for anybody starting out, wanting a first project that won’t slay them.

As I write this, it feels good to reflect on this completed project. 

​To pause and reflect is a nice reminder of how far I’ve come and how empowering it feels to be able to whip up something I ‘need’ - which is important to remember in a world based on consumerism, fast-fashion, and disposable commodities. 

Until next time, happy knitting, 

Lou 
x

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Super Simple Handwarmers by Emily Bolduan
Free Download via Ravelry
Pattern Link: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/super-simple-handwarmers
Recommended Yarn: Outlaw Yarn DK/8ply: Bohemia Worsted or Bandit DK