| How to Knit Mittens Posted: 06 Feb 2020 04:00 PM PST Knitted mittens are the ultimate in cold weather comfort attire! There's nothing like slipping on a cozy pair of mittens and using your hands to hold a hot beverage, a warm hand, or a cold snowball! If you want to knit a pair of mittens for yourself or for someone special, there are many ways to go about it. You can follow a basic pattern for beginners, or choose something more challenging if you are an experienced knitter. [Edit]Designing Your Mittens - Look at patterns for inspiration. Patterns come in many different styles, so following a pattern may be the way to go if you want to get a specific look. You can find patterns that range in difficulty from beginner to advanced, so choose a pattern that matches your skill level. Check online for free knitting patterns, or visit your local craft supply store and peruse some knitting pattern books and magazines.
- To follow the sample pattern in this article, use a set of 5 US size 7 (4.5 mm) double-pointed needles with a ball of medium-weight yarn.[1]
- Select your yarn. You can make mittens out of just about any type of yarn, but you will likely want something that is warm and soft. Choosing a chunky or super chunky yarn will make knitting the mittens much faster than if you opt for a medium-weight yarn, so you might consider this if you are trying to make a pair of mittens in a hurry.[2]
- You should only need 1 ball of yarn to knit a pair of mittens.
- Choose an appropriate set of double-pointed knitting needles. Double-pointed needles are essential for knitting mittens because they need to be worked in the round. Choose a set of 5 double-pointed needles that will work with the type of yarn you are using. You can usually find a recommendation on the yarn label.
- For example, if you will be using medium-weight yarn, then a US size 7 to 9 (4.5 to 5.5 mm) set of double-pointed needles would be appropriate.[3]
[Edit]Creating the Cuff - Make a slipknot and place it on your right-hand knitting needle. Wrap the yarn around your index and middle fingers 2 times. Pull the second loop through the first loop and tug the tail. Then, slide the loop onto the right-hand-needle and pull the tail some more to tighten it.[4]
- This will be your first cast on stitch.
- Cast on the desired number of stitches to the double-pointed needles. If you are using US size 7 needles with a ball of medium-weight yarn, cast on 48 stitches.[5] Distribute the cast-on stitches evenly between 4 of the double-pointed needles. Each needle should have 12 stitches on it, and you should leave the fifth needle empty.
- To cast on, loop the yarn over the left-hand needle. Insert the right-hand needle into the loop you have just created. Then, loop the yarn over the right-hand needle. Pull this new yarn through the first loop to create another cast-on stitch on the right-hand needle.[6]
- Keep in mind that the number of stitches you will need to cast on is highly variable depending on the size of the mittens you want to create, the type of yarn and needles you are using, and how loose or tight you want the mittens to fit. This is why it is highly recommended to use a pattern.
- Knit into the first cast on stitch.[7] Insert the empty right-hand needle through your first cast on stitch in the round. Then, loop the yarn over the end of the right-hand needle. Pull this yarn through the loop and let the old stitch slide off of the left-hand needle as the new stitch replaces it on the right-hand needle.[8]
- For a wider rib, you may knit 2 instead of 1.
- Purl the next stitch.[9] To purl, move the working yarn so that it is in front of your work. Push the tip of the right-hand needle in through the front of the first stitch on your left-hand needle. Then, yarn over the right-hand needle and pull this new loop through the cast on stitch. Let the old stitch slide off the left-hand needle as the new stitch replaces it.[10]
- For a wider rib, purl 2 instead of 1.
- Continue to alternate between knitting and purling for the entire round. This is how you work a basic 1 by 1 rib stitch, but you may also knit 2 and purl 2 for a wider rib.[11] When you get to the end of the round, place a stitch marker to indicate where the round begins and ends. This will help you to keep track of your rounds.
- It is nice to start off mittens using a rib stitch because it will create a stretchy cuff that helps the mittens to stay on even if the part that covers your hands is a bit loose. However, if desired, you can skip this and just knit all of the stitches in the round. Doing so will create a looser, plain knit cuff that curls up around the bottom edges.[12]
- Work the rib stitch until the cuff is about . Usually, is sufficient, but you may make the cuff shorter or longer if you like.[13] If you are following a pattern, make sure to refer to the pattern's instructions for working the cuff.
- Remember that making a ribbed cuff is optional, but you will still need to create some kind of cuff for your mittens.
[Edit]Knitting the Mitten Body - Work the body for from the cuff. After you are satisfied with the length of the cuff, switch to the stitch you will be working for the body of the mitten. Defer to your pattern's recommendations for how long to work this stitch. If you are following the sample pattern, knit in the stockinette stitch until the section measures from the end of the ribbed section.
- The stockinette stitch is a classic stitch for knitting mittens. To work the stockinette stitch, simply knit all of the stitches in the round.[14]
- Place 8 to 15 stitches on a stitch holder for the thumb. You will need to reserve a space to create the thumb after you finish working the body of the mitten. You may only need to slip 8 stitches onto a stitch holder for a chunky yarn, or 15 stitches for a medium weight yarn. Start your next round by sliding the first 8 to 15 stitches onto a stitch holder.[15]
- If you are following the sample pattern with medium-weight yarn and size 7 double-pointed needles, then place 15 stitches onto the stitch holder.
- Make sure to follow what your pattern tells you to do regarding the thumb section. The number of stitches you need to set aside will vary greatly depending on the size of your mittens, yarn and needle type, and how you want the mittens to fit.
- Knit until the piece measures . Keep working in the stitch you were using before you slid the thumb stitches onto the stitch holder and skip over them when you reach them again. The entire body of the mitten should measure before you begin binding off the area that will cover your fingertips.[16]
- Use a ruler to measure the body of the mitten when it seems like you are close to finishing.
- Make sure that you do not knit across the thumb gap too tightly or the space for your thumb will be too small. Keep some slack in your yarn when you knit across this section. To check, try sticking your thumb through the hole right after you knit across the section. If it is too tight, then undo the last stitch and try again.[17]
- Bind off the stitches at the end of the section. To start binding off, knit the first 2 stitches on the left-hand needle, and then loop the first stitch on the right-hand needle over second stitch. Knit the next stitch on the left-hand needle and loop the new first stitch over the second stitch again.[18]
- Repeat this sequence all the way to the end of the row.
- Tie off the last stitch by making a knot through it. Cut the yarn close to the knot.
[Edit]Creating the Thumb - Pick up the stitches you slipped onto the stitch holder. To complete your mittens, insert an empty double-pointed needle into half of the stitches you slipped off and insert another empty double-pointed needle into the other half. Pick up another empty double-pointed needle to work the stitches in the thumb round.
- Knit the first 2 stitches front and back, then knit as usual. To knit front and back, insert the right-hand needle through the first stitch from the front. Then, loop the yarn over the right-hand needle and pull it through the loop. Leave the old stitch on the left-hand needle, and bring the working yarn in front of your knitting. Insert the right-hand needle through the same stitch coming from behind the stitch. Then, loop the yarn over, and pull through to complete the stitch.[19]
- You will have 2 additional stitches for the round after knitting the first 2 front and back.
- If you are using a pattern, make sure that you defer to what it says to do. You may need to increase by more than 2 stitches.
- For the rest of the round, knit the stitches as usual. However, if your pattern says to do otherwise, then defer to what it says to do.
- Complete 1 more increase round. After you finish the knitting to the end of the round, knit front and back 2 more times to begin the next round. Then, knit to the end of that round. This will complete the increases required for the sample pattern.[20]
- If you are following a pattern, make sure to follow its instructions.
- Continue knitting until the thumb piece is the desired length. You will need to keep working the thumb section until it is about long.[21] You can insert your thumb into the thumb hole periodically to check it, or use a ruler to measure it.
- If you are using a pattern, then do what the pattern recommends.
- Bind and tie off the stitches at the end of the thumb. Bind off the thumb the same way that you did for the body of the mitten. Then, tie off the last stitch to secure the thumb section. Cut the yarn close to the knot and your first mitten is finished!
- Repeat the sequence to create a second mitten.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Mitten knitting pattern
- Yarn
- Set of 5 double-pointed needles
- Stitch markers
- Stitch holder
- Scissors
- Yarn needle
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Grow Baby Spinach Posted: 06 Feb 2020 08:00 AM PST Baby spinach is tasty, tender, and high in nutrients. It's also easy to grow, both indoors and outdoors. Spinach plants can grow and thrive in a wide range of climates. Spinach grows quickly, and baby spinach leaves can be ready to harvest in around 40 days. To have the most success, plant spinach seeds in nitrogen-rich soil and keep the temperature lower than . Thin out weaker spinach seedlings to give healthy plants plenty of room to grow, and harvest as soon as you see rosettes of 5-6 leaves. [Edit]Growing Spinach Indoors - Find spinach seeds at your local gardening store. There are lots of different kinds of spinach. Some specific types of seeds that are good for baby spinach are Catalina, Renegade, or Bloomsdale. Packets of seeds will come with instructions that can help you grow your spinach specific to the kind of spinach you buy. You can also buy baby spinach seeds online.[1]
- Although you can harvest seeds from a spinach plant, it is easier to use commercial seeds. These are tested to provide the most consistent results.
- Fill a pot at least 1 foot (30 cm) deep with nitrogen-rich soil. Spinach roots need at least of space to grow. Fill the pot loosely with moist, nitrogen-rich soil. Choose an indoor potting mix from a gardening center.[2]
- Plant seeds around deep in the soil. Make a small hole in the soil with your finger. Drop 3 spinach seeds in. Plant several groupings of seeds about apart from each other.[3]
- Spinach seeds don't need to be planted very deep in the soil. Covering the seeds with as little as of soil will do.
- Keep your spinach at around and in partial sun. Spinach prefers cooler climates. Find a spot in your home where the temperature remains within this range at night and during the day. Make sure your spinach gets at least 6 hours of sunshine a day.[4]
- If the temperature consistently reaches above around your spinach, new seeds won't sprout and seedlings will start to wilt and won't produce new leaves.
- Alternatively, you can use growing lamps if your spinach can't get 6 hours of sun a day inside your home.
- Water the seeds when you plant them and keep the soil moist. After you plant the seeds, water the soil enough so that it is moist all the way through. Water it so that it stays moist while the seeds are germinating and after they sprout.[5]
- To see if your spinach plants need to be watered, stick a finger into the soil around one knuckle deep. If the soil feels dry, it needs to be watered.
- Pull out the weakest seedlings after 10–14 days. Once the seedlings start to come up, some will naturally grow in faster and more healthy. The strongest seedlings will have 2 leaves after 2 weeks. Pull out the weaker seedlings so that you are left with the strongest ones.[6]
- Ideally, there should be around between the seedlings. If there isn't enough space, the seedlings will need to be transplanted.
- Transplant seedlings to their own pots once they have 4 leaves. To transplant a seedling, fill a new pot loosely with the potting mix. Make a hole in the soil. Gently pull the seedling out of the soil so that its roots stay intact. Place it into the new pot and cover the roots with soil. Water the seedling so that the soil is moist all the way through.[7]
- In a 12-inch (30 cm) pot, you can grow 1-2 spinach plants to full size. Spinach plants need of space between each other to grow to full size.
- Harvest 1/3 of the spinach leaves after 40 days from the original planting. Around a month after the seedlings come up, the spinach plants will be close to fully grown and able to be harvested. To encourage the growth of new leaves, harvest 1/3 of the leaves and take them from the outside of the plant.[8]
- Never harvest more than 1/2 of the leaves at a time.
[Edit]Planting Spinach in an Outdoor Garden - Start planting spinach in early spring. Start planting spinach as soon as the soil thaws out enough to be workable. You can also sow seeds every 10 days if you live in a place with long, cool springs to have a staggered harvest throughout the summer and into the fall.[9]
- The earlier you can plant spinach, the better your harvest will be in the summer and fall.
- Spinach can grow in a wide range of climates, but you may have to change what season you plant it in depending on the average temperatures. USDA hardiness zones 1-10 are ideal for spinach. Check what zone you live in at https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/
- Grow spinach in a raised planter or directly in the ground. Loose dirt at least deep creates the ideal environment for spinach to grow in. Work the soil in your planter so that it is loose and aerated. If you are planting the seeds directly in the ground, make sure the soil is loosened at least 12 inches (30 cm) deep.[10]
- Use a nitrogen-rich soil from a gardening center, or add fertilizer or compost to boost nitrogen content.
- Place spinach in partial sun. Spinach needs to receive around 6 hours of sunlight every day to thrive. Pick a spot in your garden where your spinach plants will get mostly sun, and some shade, throughout the day.[11]
- A placement in full sun works well if you are planting spinach in cool climates.
- If you anticipate that the temperature will regularly be higher than , a placement with more shade can keep your spinach cooler and happier.
- Water spinach plants up to twice a day on hot days to cool down the roots.
- Plant seeds apart in rows apart. Drop the seeds into the soil in groups of 2-3, apart. Cover the seeds with around of soil.[12]
- Thin the plants once they start to come in. Once the plants come up, some of them will be naturally hardier than others. Thin them out by removing the weaker seedlings. The hardier seedlings will have at least 2 leaves after 10-14 days. Weaker seedlings won't grow leaves, and may start to wilt and die on their own.[13]
- Leave between the stronger seedlings.
- Harvest your spinach after 40 days or so. Wait until your spinach plant has a rosette of 5-6 leaves. To harvest, either cut the leaves off from the stem, or cut off the entire rosette. The plant will not regrow if you cut off all the leaves, so re-sow seeds every 10 days or so to have a continuous harvest.[14]
- Be gentle when harvesting baby spinach leaves. They are very tender and can easily bruise.
[Edit]References |
| How to Be Patient Posted: 06 Feb 2020 12:00 AM PST Whether you're stuck in a traffic jam or frustrated with a difficult project, impatience is a natural reaction to have when things aren't going your way. Learning to control and neutralize your impatience will help you become calmer, happier, and more understanding, no matter what frustrating situation you find yourself in! [Edit]Exercising Patience in the Moment - Pick up on the thoughts and physical feelings of being impatient. If you're in a stressful situation, be alert to thoughts that hint that you might be getting impatient, such as "This is taking forever," or "This person is being so annoying." When you pick up on these impatient thoughts, stop and check in with your body to see what you're feeling, physically. You'll probably be able to recognize signs of impatience right away, and identifying them can help you start to counteract your frustration. Some physical signs could include:[1]
- Tension in your muscles
- Restless, jiggling feet or legs
- Clenching your hands
- Short breaths
- An elevated heart rate
- Irritability or anger
- Figure out what's causing your impatience. Once you've recognized that you're feeling impatient, it's time to hunt down the cause. Think past your immediate frustration and ask yourself, "Why am I actually feeling this way?" Some common causes of impatience are:[2]
- Your environment not conforming to your expectations. For example, you might hit unexpected traffic, or a restaurant might be more crowded than you'd thought, making you feel irritated and frustrated.
- Other people not behaving the way you want them to. For instance, you might get impatient that someone in front of you at the grocery store is blocking the whole aisle or chatting with the clerk for too long.
- When you can't master a new skill fast enough. You might get impatient, for example, if you can't figure out a new math or computer concept, even though you know it's a difficult skill to learn.
- When you can't control your thoughts. You might get impatient with yourself for not being able to dictate what emotions and thoughts pop up in your mind, even if you recognize there's not much you can do to stop it.
- Take a moment to ground yourself. Taking small, easy actions can break up the cycle of your impatience before it can progress, giving you a chance to regroup yourself. Focus on your movements and the physical sensations of your actions, which will distract you from your impatience.[3]
- One good way to ground yourself is to focus on your environment. For example, you might take a few moments to think about how your feet feel when you are standing on the floor, what it feels like to sit in a chair, or the sensation of an object in your hand.
- You can also try a simple grounding exercise like looking for 3 things in your environment that are blue. These simple actions help bring you back into the present moment.
- Take 5 deep breaths to slow your heart rate down. Close your eyes and inhale deeply into your belly. Hold it for a second, the let the air out slowly. Feel your body calm down and let that physical relaxation flow into your mind, soothing your impatient thoughts.
- Besides calming your body, taking a few deep breaths will force you to slow down before you say or do anything rash.
- Shift your perspective about your situation if you can. Most situations that make you feel impatient are ones that can't easily be changed (if there was an easy solution, you probably would have found it already!). Instead of focusing on this feeling of powerlessness, concentrate on what can be changed: your attitude and perspective of the situation. Say to yourself, "Since I can't remove myself completely from this situation, how can I make it better?"[4]
- If you're frustrated with an essay you're writing, for example, you could focus on making your environment more pleasant. Put on music that helps you concentrate, make some tea, or have a snack.
- You could also address head-on what's really bothering you about the situation, such as the fact that the essay is taking a long time to write. For example, you could cover up your clock so you don't feel a time crunch.
- Find something good or interesting in the situation if you can. If you can't change your situation, the best thing you can do is change your perspective on it. Ask yourself to find something positive about where you are right now and focus on that instead of your impatience. It might be hard at first--like a lot of negative emotions, impatience can make you feel good and powerful in the moment--but forcing yourself to focus on the positive will make you feel much better in the long run.[5]
- If you're stuck in traffic, for example, chat with another person in the car or, if your car has a Bluetooth capability, call a friend or family member. Change the radio station or put in a new CD and sing along.
- If you are stuck in a tedious or frustrating situation, try making productive use of your time. For example, if you're driving, listen to an interesting audiobook. If you have to sit in a doctor's office for a long time, try to bring a project with you to work on.
[Edit]Working Towards Long-Term Patience - Keep a journal to look for patterns in your impatience. Carry a small notebook around with you and make a note of every time you feel impatient. Write down the date, the time, what you're feeling impatient about, and how that impatience makes you feel physically and emotionally. After 2 weeks, read back your journal and look for what kinds of situations make you feel the most impatient.[6]
- For example, you might realize that your impatience stems from getting frustrated at other people. You might write, "June 1, math class, 2pm. I felt impatient because John was working so slowly. My muscles started feeling tense."
- Journaling about your frustrations has the added bonus of letting you vent your emotions, which can make you feel calmer and less stressed.
- Your impatience might be triggered by situations, environmental stimuli, or even your physical state. For example, you may find that you feel more impatient when you spend a lot of time on social media.[7] Some people also feel more impatient when they eat or drink certain things, such as coffee and other caffeinated beverages.[8]
- Create a personal strategy to counteract your triggers. Sit down with your journal and write out a list of the things that seem to trigger your impatience most often. Ask yourself what you can do to neutralize your impatience in these situations and write down a step-by-step list of things you can do anywhere and anytime they come up.[9]
- For example, if you often get impatient with your friends or family members, your strategy might be: "Take 3 deep breaths. Explain why you're feeling frustrated. Take a break and walk away if you're still feeling impatient."
- If you find that your impatience is made worse by certain foods or drinks, try cutting them out of your diet.
- If social media frustrates you and gets you down, consider turning off your phone alerts or using an app or plugin that prevents you from logging on for a few hours during the day.
- Get creative with your solutions and try different things to see what works best. Give yourself time to change; it won't happen overnight, but you'll be able to improve yourself in time.
- Practice short meditations to use when you feel impatient. Take each moment of potential impatience as an opportunity to focus on your breath and check in with yourself. Center yourself on your feet or in your chair, and breathe deeply, noticing the pattern of your inhalations and exhalations. Close your eyes if you can, or focus on a still point across the room.[10]
- Practice doing these quick meditations a few times a day, even when you're not feeling impatient. Getting comfortable meditating when you're calm will make it easier to do so in the heat of the moment.
- Exercise regularly to relieve pent-up stress. Try to fit in a little bit of exercise every day, even if it's just a quick walk or a jog up and down the stairs. Getting exercise will burn off the stress hormones that are shortening your fuse, making it easier to maintain your cool in intense situations.[11]
- If you have time, try to incorporate more intense physical activity too, like jogging, swimming, biking, or doing light weights.
- Sometimes you can use exercise to counteract your impatience in the moment. If you're feeling impatient while working on a project, for example, get up from your desk and take a 5-minute walk.
- If you're stuck in traffic, try moving your arms and head to the beat of your music.
- Be prepared to fend off impatience caused by long waits. Many people get impatient when they're forced to wait for a long time, like at a slow restaurant or doctor's office. If you can distract yourself with other activities while you wait, it will be much easier to stay patient.
- For example, you could pack a book, a crossword puzzle, or a travel-size game when you think you might have to wait for a while, such as at the doctor's office or a crowded grocery store.
- You can also distract yourself with whatever is at hand. Listen in on other people's conversations, look at the other drivers stuck in traffic with you, or read the headlines of magazines or newspapers while you wait in line.
- Ask for help when you're feeling overloaded. Impatience can be a sign of burnout. If you feel stressed, irritable, or impatient a lot of the time, these are signs that you're under too much pressure.[12] Look for tasks that you can delegate and talk to a friend, family member, or co-worker to see if they can help. Taking some of the pressure off of yourself will lower your stress levels and make you less likely to get impatient in the first place.[13]
- For example, if you're feeling frustrated about a project, talk to your boss or teacher about getting some help from or a co-worker or fellow student.
- Say, "I've been working really hard on this, but it's becoming too much for me my own. Could I get a partner to divide the work with?"
- Never feel bad about asking for help, especially when it has to do with your mental health. People will often be happy to help, and you'll feel much more relaxed when you're able to share the burden.
[Edit]Accepting What You Can't Change - Practice putting your impatience in perspective. When you're caught up in a task in the heat of the moment, it might feel crucial for something to get done right now--and thinking about what might happen if it doesn't get done is what fuels your impatience. Instead, ask yourself, "Why am I in such a hurry?" Even if the task is finished a little late, it will still get done and everything will work out.[14]
- In true cases of life or death, broadening your perspective might not help. For example, if you're waiting for an ambulance to help an injured person, it may matter very much whether the ambulance arrives late.
- In this situation, channel your impatience into doing whatever you can, whether that's making the person comfortable or giving more information to the emergency line operator.
- Be kind to yourself about your own shortcomings. If your impatience centers around getting frustrated with yourself, take a step back and realize that you can only expect so much from yourself. It's great to want to improve yourself and learn new skills, but beating yourself up will only make you lose self-confidence. Instead, face your shortcomings head-on and see how you can work around them, or even make them into positives.[15]
- Feeling impatient with yourself often stems from the idea that it's always better to go faster, which isn't necessarily true.
- By proceeding slowly and patiently, you'll understand the concept more deeply, and might even enjoy yourself more along the way.
- Remember that most things take time and effort to master. Being patient with yourself is the best gift you can give yourself.
- Accept that your expectations might not always be met. Most impatience comes from being frustrated that people or situations don't match up to what you expect. Instead of needing things to be a certain way, loosen your grip on your expectations and look forward to the surprises that come your way. Accept that people and situations will never be perfect and take life's twists and turns with grace and humor.
- For example, instead of losing your patience when a friend spills a drink, remember that it was an accident and no one is perfect. Take a moment to breathe, reassure them that it's okay, and move on.
- List the things you feel grateful for every day. Studies have shown that people who show gratitude in their day-to-day life are more likely to be patient and have better self-control. Practice this by coming up with 3-4 things every day that you're grateful for. Take a moment to savor the feeling of thankfulness and center yourself in it.[16]
- You might say, for example, that you're grateful to have a roof over your head, dreams and goals for the future, and friends that love you.
- Build your self-confidence and have faith you'll find other solutions. Everyone comes up against obstacles in their lives that seem impossible to overcome. Cultivating your self-confidence will help you realize that you're smart and strong enough to find ways around these obstacles, no matter how impatient or upset you might feel.[17]
- For example, you might feel frustrated when you're applying to jobs but can't seem to catch a break. Being confident in yourself will keep you optimistic and help motivate you to keep working hard until things look up.
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
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