Teak Bittersweet Gauntlets in the Making

These gauntlets are still in the making. I am using Classic Elite Alpaca Sox Fingering weight yarn in cream and the contrasting color, which is a dark blue is Berroco Ultra Alpaca yarn. Pattern can be found in Boutique Knits.

Latvian Style - Sea Mineral Mittens by spillyjane

This is my first adventure into knitting mittens with several color changes and a design reminiscent of sea waves. I downloaded the pattern from http://www.ravelry.com/ (you need to be a member) or you can go to http://spillyjane.blogspot.com/ to download your free copy.

I am using one ball of Palette yarn from http://www.knitpicks.com/ White, Mist (light grey,) Fog (medium grey,) Cornmeal (pale yellow,) and Pool (blue,). I haven't gone very far in the pattern. I will keep you all posted on my progress.

Pretty Lacy Wristwarmers - Pattern by PurlSoho

These wristwarmers were knitted with Alpaca & Silk by Blue Sky Alpacas, US #6 needle and using a free pattern by PurlSoho. The first wristwarmer came out pretty good!! The second one will have to be redone as the cuff and wrist slit were not identical. The pattern was not wonderfully written out for this beginner, and I am sure that advanced knitters would have no problem with the written pattern. The lace pattern is really pretty and the yarn makes it that much more luscious. . .

More Hats!!

Well, this holiday season has brought out in me the desire to knit HATS and MITTENS!! I hope you like these attempts, and if not, that's okay, I like my attempts.

This beautiful red Rosina Yarn's 100% Australian Merino Wool is so lovely to knit. I knitted this cute little hat using US #6 and 4 needles.

The multi-colored Helmet Hat w/Mittens is knit up using Punta Del Este Yarns Merisoft Handpainted 100% Merino Wool. The hat was knit using US #10 and 11 needles, double stranded yarn. The mitts were knit up using US #4 needles to get a nice dense fabric.

Latest on Fingerless Mitts/Gloves

My mom finished blocking the red mitts which she insisted needed to be 'blocked'. I also finished the Moss green fingerless mitts which I then decided to block as 'mother knows best'. They look great and because they worked out so well, I went back to Stitch Therapy Brooklyn and picked up some really nice neutral colored yarns in aran weight. I also picked up in the same neutral colors (ivory and taupe) kid mohair yarns to add to the aran weight yarn so that I could add some texture to basic pattern for more fingerless mitts.

Who are they for you might ask? Well I don't know. I am making them and will see where the road will take me. Maybe some for the upcoming holidays. . .

Fingerless Mitts

I have now journeyed into the land of 'Fingerless Mitts and Gloves'. Not too different from socks in that you are knitting in the round using double pointed needles. I recently visited my local yarn shop called "Stitch Therapy a Fine Yarn Shop" www.stitchtherapybrookly.com . Small shop, but loaded with beautiful yarns. The owner is always willing to help you figure out patterns and always encouraging her customers to try out this or that. Great place. Please visit this store, as the saying goes 'great things come in small packages' and you will definitely not be disappointed.

Well, she had finished knitting up a lovely fingerless mitt for a floor display. I toyed with the sample while visiting and that night fell asleep thinking about this glove. I just had to try it. Well, I went back the very next day, purchased a lovely red yarn by EXTRA - 100% Australian Merino, Shrink Resistent yarn.

What a pleasure to knit with this yarn. The ply is beautiful and there is this lovely slight sheen to the fabric. I presently do not have a picture of the finished product as my mom, once again, is blocking the set of fingerless mitts at her home.

You will notice, by viewing the second picture, that I have started my second pair of fingerless mitts in Artyarns Supermerino colorway 119. Using US #4 needles.

When I started knitting the mitts, I decided to do both at the same time using two sets of double pointed needles in the same sizes of course, so that I could finish both basically at the same time. One is a little more advanced in the pattern than the other, but will soon reach its mate quickly. This is a really easy pattern to do.

I have a slight problem with my knitting in that I do the first mate correctly and then somehow the second mate is tighter!! I have no idea why this happens to me, although some have suggested that maybe I feel more confident with the pattern, thus I am knitting tighter in order to finish the entire project. Who knows, but I aim to conquer this little dilemma.