Mistake Mittens

Most of what I'm knitting right now are gifts, so I'm afraid I don't have much I can show you here. Of course all will be on Ravelry. (If you really want a laugh, check out my queue (Rav link); I'd like to finish numbers one through nine before Christmas. Sob.)

But here's something I can show you: mittens for Olivia (Rav link).

I'm using the left over DIC Classy from her much-loved shrug. I gotta say, this yarn is like Malabrigo for me; every precious scrap will be used with pleasure. The colors are so pretty and, though it's not as soft, it's harder wearing. But I do think the mittens require some embroidery...some button flowers, maybe? Or one big snowflake... I don't know yet. But judging by how this mitten has gone so far, I don't suppose it will come easy. I tried so hard to screw it up.

First, this is worsted weight yarn and I began knitting it on size 7/4.5mm needles. Much too loose for a girl who spends much of her play time sucking snow off her mittens. Rrriiiiiiipppp. So I moved down to size 4/3.5mm. I probably could have gone down another size or even two, as I read somewhere that worsted on #2s makes a fine mitten, but perhaps only if you don't need to bend your fingers. We'll see how this version holds up when soggy.

Second, I knit a gauge swatch (!) and determined I had 5.5 stitches per inch. I thought I'd get a slightly bigger mitten by pretending I had 5 stitches per inch. See the flaw in that math? Plus that was knitting flat. In the round I had 6 stitches per inch. Good thing I went up a size for no reason. coughbymistakecough They fit.

Third, didn't check errata. Tink, tink, tink, tink, tink.

Clever, clever me. I can just hear people out there, "Ahhh, thanks but no thanks on those hand knit Christmas presents." ; )

Comments

[Kat]

Haha you are great! And i love those mittens, purple, mmm my favorite color! Good luck with the Christmas knitting, i have been so slow with mine that now everyone will get a scarf for Christmas. Oh well. :0)

[KimK]

That colorway is just lovely. It must have been a pain to start and restart and restart, but little mittens go fast.

And Christmas gifts -- ugh! I've gotten away for years with not knitting any, and this year I've gotten two requests. I just don't do well with deadlines, at least not with my hobby that's supposed to be *fun*.

[Nadine]

Steppin' it up a notch with buttons, eh? Or snowflakes whichever it may be. I am impressed. I am also impressed that you knit a test swatch. With three girls in one household of varying sizes, I proceed without caution and decide who will be the recipient of each project once it is completed. It's all very 'glass slipper' around here. If it fits, you get to marry the prince or better yet, you have a new pair of mittens! :)

[Holly Jo]

Man, I love that colorway. Not that you were asking, but I think a snowflake would look awesome. Are you good at that kind of thing? The buttons are cute too, but there is something about embrodiery (misspelled) on knitwear for kids.

[Stacey]

I would totally do the snowflakes, but that's because I ALWAYS CHOOSE THE HARDER OPTION WHEN THERE IS A DEADLINE. I am an idiot. Maybe there are snowflake buttons?

At least you can knock out a few things on your queue before Christmas, like the dashing mitts or legwarmers maybe. And a hat or two. And that wrap looks like it's pretty big gauge. nevermind, you can do it ALL before Christmas! ;)

[stefaneener]

At least you're knitting. I spent last night making one (1) heart for a bookmark, and then ripped it all out this morning. I may never knit again. The color on those are lovely.

And snow? Great reason for knitting. Yeah, that's what I'll blame this on. No snow.

You're going to do great for Christmas.

[Kristin]

I love those mittens. SOOO cute! I have a child who would still try to eat the buttons, so I'd go with a snowflake, but I don't know how to do that, so he'd get a plain mitten. HAHA. Can't wait to see what you decide! :)