Kitten Mittens from Stitch Mountain - Designed by Jeanne Giles!

When I was asked to participate in the Stitch Mountain book I was so excited!! I have lived here in Reno my whole life and skied in the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountains for most of those years. Of course I love to knit and design with an emphasis on fun and unusual projects, so Brita Sigourney's vision for the Kitten Mittens was right up my alley.

Brita is a huge advocate for pet adoption and fosters pets whenever she can. Here's her comment when approached about the project, “I recently adopted a kitty, Cory. She is such a joy, so obviously when I saw these mittens I had to have them!”

I am a huge animal lover myself with many rescue pets throughout my life. My pets have made my world so happy over the years and I currently am graced with a 12 year old Queensland Healer mix, Sierra, and an inherited 15 year old Rag Doll cat named Tasha.

As I read about Brita and her commitment to her sport, as well as her passion for rescue animals, I knew I could come up with a project that would compliment her idea for the fun and whimsy she had envisioned, as well as the warmth that she needs when on the slopes.

I just can't imagine the dedication it takes for this amazing athlete to ski the halfpipe and I loved learning about her ability in the water as well as on the slopes, but in the end it was the snow that won her heart.

She has won the World Junior Championships in New Zealand, as well as earning a spot on the U.S. Ski Team. Growing up in Carmel California she was only a mere 5 hours away from Alpine Meadows in Lake Tahoe where she spent every winter weekend honing her skills on the snow.

Ever since 2010 she has focused on the halfpipe, winning the X Games silver and bronze medals. She is the first woman to land a 1080 degree spin in competition!! Honestly I just can't even imagine doing something like that, but really love to watch someone else do it!

She is currently working on her college degree and trains in ever spare moment she has. Brita is a true inspiration to women of all ages.

 

I loved working on this project for the book and am truly proud to be part of such a great project! I have worked at Jimmy Beans Wool for over 7 years now and can't imagine being anywhere else! Knitting is my passion and I love creating fun things.

I wish you all happiness in whatever you pursue and hope that you enjoy my mittens, as well as all the other great projects in Stitch Mountain.

Happy Knitting and skiing!!

Jeanne

Kitten Mittens designed by Jeanne Giles from Stitch Mountain: 30 Warm Knits for Conquering the Cold by Laura Zander, published by Sixth&Spring Books, sixthandspringbooks.com. Photography by Brad Swonetz and pattern instructions copyright © 2013 by Sixth&Spring Books/Soho Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. Used by permission.