How to Knit a Fingerless Mitten (Long Version)

1. Cast on for Annemor #15 from Selbuvotter in two colors the recipient will really like.   Mods: A different cuff pattern, a side thumb gusset, and fingerless.  Feel very smart for picking out these colors for this pretty pattern.
2. Knit most of the way through the chart. 
3. Recognize that 1" of ease is not a good thing in a mitten.  Feel even worse because you knew this a long time ago, and did not trust your knitters instinct.
4. Rip
5. Cast on above mitten with smaller needles. Knit half of the way through the chart.
6. See 3.
7. Rip
8. Cast on with even smaller needles.  Knit the cuff.
9. Recognize that the mitten will still be too big.  Feel slightly better than last time because you admitted it so early.
10. Rip
11. Decide to knit the Herringbone mittens instead.  Mods: fingerless and add 6 extra stitches because this is fingering yarn and the pattern was written for worsted.
12. Cast on.  Knit the cuff. 
13. Recognize the mitten will still be too big.  Start to wonder if your hands are freakishly small, or if you have some freakishly tight gauge for mittens only.
14. Rip
15. Cast on in the recommended number of stitches on size 1 needles.
16. The cuff fits.  Feel proud.
17. Go up to size 1.5" needles for the colorwork.  Work for several inches.
18. Admit that now the mitten is too small.
19. Rip back to the cuff, cast on 4 extra stitches with size 2 needles.
20. The mitten fits.  Feel proud.
21. Realize that you messed up the colorwork 6 rows ago. 
22. Rip back 6 rows.
23. Continue to knit.
24. Realize that you increased the stitches on the thumb gusset off of an off center stitch instead of the center stitch.  4 rows ago.
25. Rip back 3 rows and fiddle with the stitches so you don't have to drop back a fourth row.
26. Continue to knit.
27. Admire the pretty, correctly sized mitten in progress.

28. Look at the back of the  pretty, correctly sized mitten in progress.

29. Oh crap.
30. Resolve to look up duplicate stitch sometime in the future and continue as if there was  no problem.

Comments

[jiva]

wow. well at least you're learning. There is no answer to gauge, it can be your loving mistress or hated head teacher. but well blogged anyway.

[Jean]

Oh, honey. I'm sorry you're having such a frustrating time. The colors are lovely, though. The mitts will be beautiful in the end. I sure hope the recipient really appreciates how much you're putting into these.

[Stella]

Ok, you get some sort of prize for perseverance. Plus, #30 is some good thinking. By that point I probably would have just left the damn thing as it was...

[Sara]

hee hee...I think that's about how *all* of my projects go! I don't think I have one FO that wasn't ripped back/restarted at least 2-3 times!

Good luck, and I LOVE the colors!!

[Dave]

Ah, progress ... it's a wonderful thing. :-)

[Jessica]

Dude. I *so* would not be still knitting a mitten by about number 15. I'd be accused of yarnicide by stabbing it to death with the pointy sticks!! You have much more patients than I.

[Bea]

Good plan.

[Alli]

Aaah, I love the colors!!! They make me want to eat sherbet.
Beautiful!

[stacey]

I love the colors too - the frustration not so much! You are being so patient - kudos to you!:) They will be fabulous!

[Kim]

So much patience! But it will pay off. Teh colors are fab!

[stacey]

that is determination!!!!

[nova]

Duplicate stitch...I did the exact same thing while knitting the herringbone mittens and I ripped. Ripped! What was I thinking?!

[tiennie]

What persistence! That recipient is sure lucky to have you knitting for them!

[Ariel]

Oh, well blogged! And yay you for sticking with it - It looks like the finished mitts will be gorgeous.