Saturday, January 19, 2008

19. Bird in Hand & weekly cocoa topic

As I mentioned, I purchased Kate Gilbert's beautiful (and popular) Bird in Hand mitten pattern. I mastered the braid and think I'm rather genius for it! If you're knitting this pattern, just take it one word at a time, and it was easy. Although it was easier for me to knit into the back of the second stitch with a crochet hook.

Of course, genius does have it's problems. Dreaded gauge. Mind you, these mittens do need to fit a specific person, so size is important. I haven't made it past the first few rows before ripping out twice now. I was no where near gauge. And near doesn't really count in knitting. I was afraid the wrist would fit several people at the same time. So I sent off an email to Kate. Now, I realize the time difference is in my favor. But within hours - two max! - I received a reply. And was told that the listed gauge is over colorwork. I am just going to have to take the mitten pattern at face (hand?) value and knit at least part of the colorwork area. And then have someone with the same size hand try on the mitten to be. So I may have just ripped out Rows 1-10 for nothing - twice!

Weekly Topic

In both the cocoa swap and the dishcloth swap, we have a weekly topic. Not mandatory to post, but a way to get chatting. The cocoa swap topic reads:

Now that we’re in the thick of ‘Winter’… has your knitting changed to match the season? Are you moving on from dishcloths, and tank tops to afghans, hats and mittens? Has your yarn changed from silk or cotton to wool, superwash or heavier cottons?

Well, I think most of the summer was spent knitting dishcloths and socks. Fall saw me move to socks and mittens. I've been working on Mr. Greenjeans (in a wool/mohair blend) and almost have that finished. Just a couple more rows on the second sleeve and the neck band. But I sure have been enjoying the warmth on my lap! I just might have to rethink knitting some kind of afghan! I don't have any socks OTN. And for the life of me, I can't remember the last time that happened.

Totally aside - I also crochet. But I didn't buy the Interweave Crochet issue with the popular Babette pattern. And it's been released as a single pattern in their Knitting Daily on-line store. Yum.

1 comment:

Minerva Zee said...

Now that you're on Ravelry, I'd suggest you join the Bird-in-Hand KAL, if you haven't already. Lots of useful tips. See http://www.ravelry.com/groups/bird-in-hand-kal