Need it, want it--Breaks

Sometimes you just need a break. That's sort of where I was this weekend. So I took them.

The Tiffany mittens are coming along. Here's where I am:

I am really liking how they're looking. However, I DID need a break from them. --Or several, actually--
For some reason, one of the charts (there are 6) was driving me up the wall. Maybe it was because it was a long run, so I couldn't just memorize it and scurry along. Maybe it was because a lot of the colors went for 6 or more sts., so I had to twist up the yarn running behind, which I hate doing. Maybe it was because I'm a little slow, and I just don't have enough brain power for this pattern... Anyhow, I was so thrilled to be done with chart D, that I wanted to do a jig. I didn't. I did tell Brian all about it, and then I referred back to the pattern to double check that I should move right on to chart E. Um, no. I should not. Huh?

Apparently, I had to do chart D, a-g-a-i-n. Say what? This is where the break came in. Seriously, I felt like I needed a time-out or something. I did plug on, but I did not like it. And I took lots of breaks.

That's where the good news comes in:
Jester Hat


Looks good. But I ran out of yarn. Argh! And I wasn't far from the end when I ran out, either.

See? I just needed a few more rows...

Now, I considered trying to go back from the bottom and take out a row or two of the blue, and add it to the bottom, redo the red and all of that, but I don't think I'm up for it. (Sounds like something the Yarn Harlot could do, but not me...I can just "think" about doing it...) It's alright, though. I need some more of this yarn for Keegan's hat, too, so I would have ordered more anyway. It would have been nice to finish this project up, but I will have to wait.

I love to finish projects. I think I might be a "project knitter", meaning I'm one of those people who knits to have something finished...not for the challenge, not only for fun, or to just play around and design something...but to make something, accomplish something, have a "something" to show for it. That's me. Not finishing something makes me need a --you guessed it!-- break.

While I've been taking knitting breaks and switching back and forth from projects, I have also needed a little "Mommy" break. So yesterday I went shopping with my sister, Ann, alone. No kids, no hubby, just me. (And Ann, but she can pretty well take care of herself.) Very nice break. We had a good time, and I got a break from the kids, laundry, dishes, etc. Much needed. And much appreciated. (Thanks, Bri!)

Ps. Advice needed: I don't like the way the corners of the mittens are coming out. By this, clearly, I mean the parts where the dp ndls connect. I'm not having any laddering or anything, but they do seem a little puckered. Here's a pic:

You can see how it's sort of bulging and has a wrinkle. What am I doing? Any advice? I'm thinking that I'm pulling the carrying yarn too tight, maybe? It seemed too loose before, but perhaps I over-corrected? Please leave a comment and let me know what you think/suggest!