Since we moved to the central coast of California I have been forced to deal with bone chilling, freezing wet cold that seeps into your core and chills you to the bones. We don't have this kind of cold in the high desert. In the desert the temps dip below freezing every night and the wind gusts at 40 mph several times a week, but its generally dry and the cold is interrupted by warmer daytime temps which get into the low 70s on a good day. Somehow I got away with wearing tank tops to school under my jackets all winter long.
Now, wearing only a tank top under my coat would be crazy. I would be shivering in my boots in minutes. To walk my daughter to school in the morning I wear jeans, a tank top which is covered by a long sleeved shirt, a heavy jacket, a cowl pulled up over my chin, and a hat. I even wear my hair down as an extra layer of warmth against the cold. My bare hands retreat inside the arms of my jacket to keep my fingers warm.
But you know what? I have fallen in love with this rainy wet weather. I love the stormy gray clouds, daily scattered showers and the early morning fog that rolls into the bay dampening the noise of the city and forcing us to slow down on our way around town. I love when the rain splatters against the windows and overflows the bird bath in the yard. When the heavens break open and we get more rain in a couple hours then the desert gets in two years.
My jacket is not able to keep my hands as warm as I like and its kinda weird to walk around with your hands missing! So last week I finished up a pair of Susie's Reading Mitts (Ravelry Link Here) and I ADORE them! These mitts have taken care of my cold hands and turned out to be the most beautiful thing I have ever made! The gentle variation of cream and brown looks like falling snow on a bare winter forest. I got lucky with this yarn. It seems like it was made for this pattern. I used Cascade Eco Duo in #1711, an all natural variegated color pattern. Its the same super soft yarn I used for my cowl a couple weeks ago.
I wear these mitts all the time now. While reading, walking my little one to school, or taking winter photos. They keep my hands toasty and my fingers free to do whatever page turning or button tapping that needs to be done. Now all I need is a matching hat.
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