25. November 2011 09:20
by Jobo
0 Comments
I really wanted to get as much holiday knitting done as possible well ahead of time this year
not knowing if the baby would arrive on time, or early, or what the situation would be like. This is one of those projects that Ive had completed for a while, but just hadnt gotten around to photographing it with the lousy fall short daylight hours. It snowed here the last couple of days
so its a bit overcast for photo taking, but the fresh fallen snow makes for a nice background :)
These are a pair of Fallberry Fingerless Mittens, as seen in the Knitty.com online knitting magazine. All of the Knitty patterns are available free of charge
and if you arent familiar with this publication
you really should check it out! Each issue is full of great patterns and a variety of different knit items from socks to sweaters and shawls.
I wanted to make something for Marks Aunt that would be straightforward, not a ridiculous amount of work, and also that would be useful. I remember her mentioning before that she had chilly hands from time to time, so I thought fingerless mittens might make a practical accessory. Normally I wouldnt be interested in something like a fingerless mitten for myself, thinking that I wouldnt wear them enough to make the effort justified, but I really like the way that these fit, and am considering making some for me after the holidays are over.

One thing that was really nice about this pattern
you get the illusion of working a fine lacy pattern
but of course, the mitts are made from sport weight yarn, and on decent sized needles so they work up fast. I decided to go with some KnitPicks Stroll Sport, both for the old standby of practical wool with the added durability of nylon, and for the reasonable price point (less than 4 dollars a ball!). I knew Id need more than one ball, but I was able to make the entire pair with about a ball and a quarter. Really, only the thumbs were worked with the second ball. So I do actually have enough yarn to make a second pair if I decide to go for it. (I know Ive been using a lot of KnitPicks Yarn lately
I dont work for them, I swear! I just really like their products!)
I was also pleased with the simplicity of the pattern and the easy to memorize flickering flame style motif. After a couple of repeats of the chart, I was good to go, and really didnt have to refer back tot he pattern very often. Also, because really there were 4 rows of active stitch movement, then 4 rows of basically ribbing, the mitts worked up very quickly. I think it took me around 3 evenings worth of knitting to finish things off. I made the large size, and was a little afraid that they might be too small in the end, but after a little soak and blocking on some mitten blockers, the finished mitts relaxed enough and fit me fine (even in my pregnant, swollen hands and feet state)
I hope the recipient gets lots of use out of them, and enjoys the toasty warm wrists and hands :)