Warm Woolen Mittens

I just LOVE the way that Cascade Eco Wool felts. My husband has had a pair of Dachstein mitts for 30 years. They were popular among mountain-climbing outdoor adventurists, but they don't make them anymore. (I couldn't find them anyway.)
I had some wool leftover from making the hooded capelet below and thought I'd try to felt a pair of mittens. Felting (or fulling) can be quite challenging. You don't want to waste precious wool if you misjudge how much your project will shrink during felting. So, I took my time, felted a swatch and then one mitten. It turned out perfectly, if I do say so myself! Today, I felted the second mitten, along with a hat and matching pair of mittens in a mauve color. The trick to mittens is to check them often and to keep the thumb open. If you just let it go until it looks the right size, the thumb will felt together.
Mittens make a great gift. I especially like to wear mittens when skiing. So, when it's really cold, skip the gloves and wear your wool mittens!

Check out the Fiber Arts Friday post at http://www.alpacafarmgirl.com/

...and Everything Nice

Repost from July, but I wanted to share this recipe with you again.
These are my favorite cookies from my Grandmother's recipe box!

SUGAR AND SPICE COOKIES

Cream together 3/4 cup Crisco shortening and 1 cup sugar. Add 1 egg and mix well. Add 1/4 cup molasses. Mix together then add to egg mixture: 2 cups flour, 2 teaspoons baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves, 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger. Mix well and chill dough for at least 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Form dough into balls and place on baking sheet. Dip the bottom of a flat glass in sugar then gently press the cookie to flatten slightly. (Double dip for a little extra sugar.) Bake for approximately 12 minutes or until brown on the edges.

Having a cookie exchange this season? Visit my friend's blog and see these sweet invites!
http://www.boulieblog.com/2009/10/c-is-for.html

I've decided to post lots of cookie recipes this holiday! I plan to include some other family favorite feasts as well. Stay tuned! Looking for a recipe? I'm a recipe hound. Have a favorite you'd like to share? I'd love to hear about it.