Project: Button Mitts
Pattern: All of ‘er Buttons Mitts
Designer: Lorilee Beltman
Available: sometime in Jan 2013
Yarn: Socks That Rock Lightweight in HRH Crown Princess of Purple, Violetta
This is the Jan 2012 Rockin’ Sock Club yarn, in the “not a sock” pattern. I am thoroughly in love! The cinched cable is delightful, and I love the buttons-as-seam closure (they are just sewn in place — the mitts do not unbutton, they just slide on). Nicely shaped wrist and thumb, high marks all around.
I’ve cast on a number of new projects over the last two weeks. The first pattern is from the new “Jane Austen Knits” special-edition magazine from Interweave Press. I’m making the Kensington Mitts with a skein of tonal green Dream in Color Smooshy.
I also cast on (and finished) this adorable Bubble Hat using some Swish Tonal left-over from my Marilla Shawl. Meg, if you’re reading this — this hat is for Susan, of course!
Have I mentioned that I recently started working at the Hub Mills Store, now in Billerica, MA? In addition to the retail work, I’ll also be teaching knitting there. And, making samples for the shop! While we were setting up the yarn in the new shop, a shipment of new yarn came in, with packs of an unusual fiber called Bodega. I took some home to make a sample for the store — it is very, very interesting! Below, you can see my first attempt at a Bodega scarf, using the pattern that came with the yarn. I wanted something fuller, so I started over yesterday … just wait until you see the jellyfish awesomeness of the new version.
Last but definitely not least, I cast on for the Advent Garland that Frankie Brown is offering for Christmas 2011. Every day of December until Christmas, Frankie is releasing a new tiny ornament pattern, and a bunch of my knitter friends are all doing the ornaments together.
Happy Monday! Time to look back at the previous week’s recently added knitting patterns on Ravelry and pick a few favorites.
What really, really gets me is this combination of robot-trendy purl ringlets, and Victorian-ish colorwork roses. Love it, times a million. Great, now I sound like the judges on American Idol!! I could see these looking great in a number of palettes … how about pinky roses with grey-green leaves on a rusty-brown background, and creamy rings?
Really charming two-color mitts that look like they have a lot more going on than they do. I really love the clever increasing-diamond clocks on the thumb gussets. Clever! I would of course make them in deep purple and light teal blue.
What is not to love? Simple, stylish, elegant … and in worsted, a crazy-fast knit. Is it too early to think Christmas??
Introducing my latest pattern: the Photog Mitts! This pattern for palmless, fingerless mitts in squishable Happy Feet DK is all about maximizing warmth while leaving the hand free for work. Great for photographers, sailors, and anyone who wants to keep their hands both warm and unencumbered.
Pattern: Photog Mitts
Designer: Rachel Henry (that’s me!)
Available: 
for $3.50 at Ravelry
Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Happy Feet DK
Inspiration: I designed these for my friend Donna (of Donna Kelliher Photography) — she specializes in photographing dog sporting events, which means she is outside in all kinds of weather. Handling a camera with full mittens or gloves on is dicey at best, and regular fingerless mitts cover the palm in fabric, which bunches up and makes holding the camera difficult.
Design/Skills Needed: The cuff is worked in the round, starting with a simple scalloped edge that comes to a point and continues in a subtle line of slipped stitches all the way up the wrist and hand. Stitches are cast off at the base of the palm, and the remainder of the mitt is worked flat with slip-stitch edges that hug the palm. A thumb gusset provides superior fit. The top is finished with i-cord edging that runs around the pinky and pointer fingers to hold the mitt in place – the thumb is also finished with i-cord edging.
Yarn: Suitable for the most colorful hand-painted yarn, but stylish with subdued colors too, these functional yet charming mitts are quick to knit and fun to wear.
I would be delighted to answer any questions or help any knitters working on this project.
Happy Monday! Time to look back at the previous week’s recently added knitting patterns on Ravelry and pick a few favorites.
I absolutely adore the unusual shape of this hat. The gathers, the close-yet-casual shape, the nifty decreases opposite mimicking (but not repeating) the gathers — it all works. For those averse to pompoms, perhaps a crocheted flower or big dramatic button could substitute. This pattern looks like it would work with hand-painted yarn quite prettily.
I was lured in for a closer look by the allusion to “Les Miserables” — I mean, who doesn’t love Cosette? These fingerless mitts have something interesting going on every few rows — exactly my kind of pattern.
I had a hard time settling on a “free” pattern this week — but this little cardi is just fine. Looks like it has some interesting construction, with right and left front panels curving to meet at the neck and lower back, with the upper back panel bridging the gap. I’ve heard about DROPS patterns being terse — this one is no exception! Definitely no hand-holding here.
Remily Knits 