I have some of last year's FOs to show you, as well as the first FO of 2009. Two of them were compelled by the loss of my Natalya Mitts. I had worn them to school and left them in the classroom at the end of the day. One of my co-teachers picked them up and left them for me in a spot where I would find them. It turns out someone else found them first, and I was left fingerless gloveless.
I made these in one day, because I needed something to wear outside!
They're knit with Rowan Felted Tweed on size 2.5 needles, I think I had 48 stitches. I did some ribbing at the ends, and a simple stockinette tube in between. I did make two thumb holes. One the allows me to use my fingers, and another that allows me to warm my fingers.
The look a little funny, and my thumb get a little cold, but they were functional and it only took a day to knit them.
After finishing up these, I knit up a Christmas gift for one of the teachers I work with. We go outside a lot with the children, and having something to cover our hands is quite important!
Pattern: Juniper Mitts (Rav link)
Yarn: Briar Rose Fibers Abundance
Needles: US 7
Time to Knit: December 5-11
Modifications: I cast on fewer stitches than suggested and added a gusseted thumb instead.
I love these mitts and I totally thought about keeping them for myself. Fortunately, this teacher has almost exactly the same taste as me (we have the same jacket, dress, and 2 different vests, all bought separately!) (they're all different colors, thank goodness), so I knew she would love them too.
And finally, since I needed a longer-term solution to the no-fingerless-gloves problem, I knit myself a pair of these.
Pattern: My own
Yarn: Tess Supersock & Baby (green), and Socks that Rock LIghtweight in Tanzanite
Needles: US 1
Time to Knit: Dec 23 - Jan 4
I do love colorwork, and so I made a little chart and set off. They were fun to knit, and I think I have enough yarn left over to make a Selbu Modern (pdf) for me!
Oh no you lost your Natalyas :(
I definitely think you made up for it with those colorwork mitts. They look great and will be nice paired with your very own selbu modern :)
See you tonight!
Posted by: jody | January 06, 2009 at 05:27 AM
love those colorwork mitts!!!!that's a pattern worth sharing with the rav-world.
Posted by: kv | January 06, 2009 at 07:13 AM
Those are adorable! I love the color combo! I find the stranded fingerless mitts even toastier! You can never have too many pairs, and I love the idea of the 2 thumb holes - brilliant!!!!
Posted by: stacey | January 06, 2009 at 07:58 AM
wow your colourwork mitts are gorgeous!
will there be a pattern?
Posted by: Kelly | January 06, 2009 at 08:38 AM
Wow, you are so talented! I love all three and am so impressed that you made the pattern for the last pair!
Posted by: Antoinette | January 06, 2009 at 09:33 AM
So sad about the Natalyas, but you definitely have some good solutions. Especially the last pair! Very cool!
Posted by: Jessica | January 06, 2009 at 10:09 AM
Great mitts! Happy New Year.
Posted by: Andrea | January 06, 2009 at 10:16 AM
So many mitts! I'm sorry to hear about the Natalyas, but I think you definitely made up for them.
Posted by: whitney | January 06, 2009 at 02:06 PM
Handwarmer extravaganza! Nice work.
Posted by: Cassy | January 06, 2009 at 02:47 PM
My hands down favorite (pun intended) is the colorwork of your own design. Love them.
Posted by: Kim | January 07, 2009 at 02:27 PM
Love the colorwork mitts! I'm sure your colleague will really appreciate the Juniper mitts--they look very warm. Happy New Year!
Posted by: Brenda | January 07, 2009 at 04:47 PM
Great mitts! I love the colorwork too!
Posted by: katie m. | January 08, 2009 at 01:58 PM
These are all awesome!
Posted by: tiennie | January 12, 2009 at 12:00 AM