Fingerless Gloves

I had left my gloves in the country, so decided to make myself a new pair. I have used this pattern before, when I made these mittens and gave them to a friend: Margot's Garden Fingerless Mittens.  

I love the design, and fingerless is usually my favourite sort of glove. Perfect if you have jobs to do, or photographs to take. I didn't look back at the previous post, but once again I extended the ribbed sections for the wrist. 

Just a reminder that there is still plenty of time left to join in my Ginx Woolly Linx party for Feburary. Click on the photo above or at the top of the page to find the party. I would love to see what you have been working on this month.

Margot's Garden Fingerless Gloves

For a change I wanted to knit something from someone else's pattern, and which would be a bit of fun. Ravelry always comes up trumps. I love these fingerless gloves from Margot's Garden Fingerless Gloves pattern. The pattern has a chart, which was very easy to follow. I knitted them on four needles, which is the way I prefere. I made the ribbed sections a bit longer than the pattern suggests, and although I also used thicker wool, they seem to have turned out fine.  And also this pattern is a free ravelry download.

I really enjoy a bit of colourwork, and found a bag with some wool left over from a tapestry project. It worked out really well to use these little skeins of wool for the coloured flowers. One skein was enough for each set of flowers on both gloves. But I found I had no green, so used some 4ply wool that I had, but knitted two strand of wool together to get the same thickness. For the main shade I used the Patons Diploma Gold DK Black that was left over from the wheels of my London Bus.

I love the gloves so much that now I can't quite decide whether to give them as a gift or keep them for myself. But I have more little skeins, so may well have to make another pair.

Fair Isle Gloves

This is one of my Christmas knits, which I probably shouldn't be showing yet, but I am pretty sure that the recipient isn't a regular viewer of my blog. If she is then hopefully she won't guess and they will still be a nice surprise.

They are knitted from a free pattern on ravelry by Cailyn Meyer called Wintergreen Gloves. Some of her other patterns look lovely, so it may be time for my second ever pair of socks.
 

I knitted on double points, and rather just grabbed some wool from my stash that I thought would look nice together. After the first glove I realised that I might not have enough of the purple colour for the second one, so that knitting was a bit stressful. But in the end it worked out that I did have enough, but only just. I love fair isle knitting, as the end result is so pretty, but there were a lot of end to run in. The good thing was that they are knitted in the round so no sewing up.

The pattern was really easy to follow, with instructions and charts. Although I did think I might have to enlarge the chart on a photocopier. That isn't a criticism though, just a reflection on my eyesight. The pink wool I used was a bit thicker and fluffier than the others, which I think is why those lines have puckered a bit. I knew I shouldn't be using it, but I thought the colour was great so just went with it.

Frog Mittens

This week I have been knitting some children's fingerless mittens. I have so admired many of the cabled owls I have seen recently, so thought I would have my own go at producing my own animal from cables. So meet Cable Frog.

He is made from a combination of cabling and bobbles. These are not hard to knit, but the part I found most challenging was writing the cable instructions. Not simple as sometimes you need to cable one or two stitches, and are you on a purl row or a knit row?
 

But I do like these little frogs, with their big feet, and little open mouths. I have used them on the back of some child's fingerless mittens. The mittens are knitted with Aran wool, and although I think the cream frogs show up better in my photos, I also thought green was quite a suitable colour for frogs. The mitten pattern is for sale on ravelry, and I have also put on the frog motif as separate download, so you could use it in whatever way you wish: frog edged scarf perhaps, frog pencil case or bookmark.

I have a few more plans for the frogs, but just thought I would show you this one, which was a bit of a flop. I think it is a cute froggy hat, but the recipient was not happy. She says she would not want to be seen out looking a bit like my acorn fairy. I can sort of see what she means. I may have another attempt at something similar, but for a baby, or at least a younger child who hasn't yet got strong views on fashion and what is cool. I do think Mums would love it.

"Mummy, Why have you made me look like an acorn?"

Fair Isle and Fingerless

I have been knitting gloves this week. There seem to be so many patterns around for fingerless gloves and wristwarmers. Is it because we all need our fingers more these days? Tapping our PIN numbers in or texting while we are on the go. The reason I love them is they are so handy when your are out in the cold and taking photographs.

I found this pattern in a book in my local library, called Mollie Makes Christmas. It was full of lots of seasonal craft ideas, not just knitting. They are a pretty easy Fair Isle, as you never have more than two colours on each row.

This pair caused me some stress, as I thought I was going to run out of the brown wool. I didn't, but I spent much of the second glove thinking how I might have to adjust the pattern or unravel the first glove.

My daughter then said she would like a pair. So for her gloves I did alter the pattern a little. Her hands are smaller than mine, so I shortened the gloves. I missed off the garter stitch at the end, which was probably a mistake, as you can see they curl up a bit. I also reduced the colours, from seven on my gloves to just four, as I thought it would look a bit nicer. And less ends to run in! You will also see that I knitted the thumb in stocking stitch, as she said she would prefer this, and I think it does look nicer. 

The palm of the gloves is knitted in double rib.

Fair Isle Gloves Can Be Cool!