Gloves and Mittens

I’ve just uploaded a pattern on Ravelry. In-A-Pinch Fingerless Mitts are about the simplest pattern possible. They use a single ball of Lion Brand Merino Yak Alpaca yarn (yum!) and are knitted on size U.S. 5 (3.75 mm) needles. You can easily knit a pair in a weekend.

The yarn is superbly soft and squishy, and it feels fabulous in your hands. The simple slip-stitch rib pattern adds a bit of texture and knitting enjoyment to the ottherwise plain mitts. For an even easier knit, omit the slip-stitch pattern and work the mitts in k3, p1 rib instead.

For now through September 15, you can get the pattern at 25% off by entering the code LUXURY MITTS.

While I’ve been busy doing other things (such as immobilize my right thumb due to arthritis and tendonitis), a few new patterns have been uploaded on Ravelry. All three are designed to keep you (or yours) warm and cozy during the upcoming winter months. Might I add that they’d make excellent holiday gifts?

The first is called Shinny Mitts, which are lined mittens designed for River City Yarns in Edmonton, Canada. The outer mitten is knitted with their signature RCY Hat Trick yarn (a blend of superwash merino and nylon) in the “Colorado” colorway (inspired by the Colorado Avalanche hockey team) and Rowan Kidsilk haze (a blend of mohair and silk) for a muted stripe pattern. The inner mitten (lining) is knitted with Rowan Finest, a luxurious blend of extra-fine merino, cashmere, and royal alpaca. The outer mitten is worked first, then stitches for the inner mitten are picked up along the cast-on edge and worked in the opposite direction.

The knitting couldn’t be simpler–both the mitten and lining are knitted in good old stockinette!

The second is called Heavenly Mittens, which I also designed for River City Yarns. These mittens are similar to the Shinny Mitts shown above, but on luxury steroids, so to speak. The outer mitten is knitted in a lace pattern with one strand each of RCY Eden (a blend of merino, cashmere, and nylon) and Rowan Kisdilk Haze (a blend of mohair and silk). The inner mitten is knitted with Rowan Finest (a blend of extra-fine merino, cashmere, and royal alpaca).

Bright specks of the inner mitten peep through the eyelets in the lace pattern on the outer mitt.
 

The third pattern is the Alpine Rings Cowl, which I designed for the most recent Knit For Fun Retreat in Estes Park, Colorado last September. The cowl features alternating stockinette- and reverse stockinette-stitch welts created by knitting every round. To form purl stitches on each side, the work is turned every 12th round so that the “inside” alternates with the “outside” to form an accordion look. The short-row “wrap-and-turn” technique is used to help hide the small holes that form when the knitting changes direction.

I used Vice Yarn Shameless (fingering/sock weight) in a colorway designed exclusively for the retreat, but the simple pattern will look great in any yarn!