Finished Object: Magnificent Mittens
The Facts:
Pattern: Mittens 5/16 from Anna Zilboorg’s Magnificent Mittens
Yarn: 50 grams each of 2 unknown colors of Cascade 220 and a smidge of a third for trim
Gauge: 6.5 sts. per inch
Needle: size 3 and 1 Addi Turbo for magic loop method
Size: My size! 9″ circumference
Changes: I changed the yarn and colors and shortened the mittens by an inch or so.
Started: July 17, 2006
Finished: July 22, 2006
Thoughts:
I learned a lot from these mittens. They were my first ever top down, or Eastern method, mittens and I think there are some advantages to knitting this way. The tip of the mitten is so beautiful compared to bottom up mittens, even the ones with a graft at the tip. The way the edge stripe marches up one side of the mitten and down the other looks like magic. The thumb attachment seems to result in a much tider join than knitting the thumb in after. In particular, the three needle bind off used where the top of the thumb joins the mitten creates a nice fold line. It’s comfy and very neat.
The bad- I don’t like the look of the increases at the top at all. Decreases at the top of a bottom up mitten are so much more beautiful. The good outweighs the bad, though, and I think I’ll use this method a lot.
I ended up switching the colors around for the second mitten, which seemed like a good middle ground between matching and adding a whole new color for the second mitten. Mr. HelloYarn made a big face about the switch. I guess he’s even more into matching than I am!
One of the most pleasing bits about these mittens is that the thumb is patterned exactly the same as the mitten underneath it. It’s like camouflage.
The use of a solid worsted yarn made the pattern on these stand out like crazy. It’s going to be fun to experiment with different types of yarn for other patterns in this book.
The cuffs of these was made tighter by going down a couple of needle sizes. It’s effective and doesn’t even really show. The cuff was meant to be much longer for tucking underneath a coat sleeve, but I tend to take mittens off and put them back on over and over, so shorter mittens are good for me.
These aren’t quite finished. There’s a cone of cashmere winging its way from England towards its destiny as a lining.
Up next:
I dyed up some 70% mohair 30% wool for a second pair. After knitting a few inches, though, I see that I need to knit a different pair with a larger motif. I intentionally dyed the main olive and red at a similar depth, hoping for a subtle mottled Persian carpet look, but the motif isn’t as easily read as I’d like. Back to the drawing board!
Shop stuff:
There’ll be a shop update tomorrow. I managed a bunch of hand-dyed wool and yarn, but no handspun. The last week’s been a tough one around here, to say the least. Poor old Shambles the dog tore his ACL (the second one in 4 years- he can’t win) and Mr. HelloYarn was out of town, so my full time job for the better part of last week was keeping Shambles company, trying to get him to eat and drink, etc. He’s feeling so much better and now the challenge is to get him to rest, not run and jump, and not go absolutely crazy because he’s not getting his walkies. Any Adrian sanity vibes you want to send my way are appreciated!
PumpkinMama wrote:
Lovely mittens indeed. Poor Shambles! Hope you both have a better week.
Posted on 24-Jul-06 at 9:13 am | Permalink
Carol wrote:
The mits ARE magnificent! Nicely done…
Hope you & Shambles have a really good week, it should only go up from here!
Posted on 24-Jul-06 at 9:59 am | Permalink
PuppyMomma wrote:
If you don’t like those mittens you are more than welcome to send them my way! You do amazing color-work. I’m not sure I have the patience yet for that, but its inspiring.
And Conan and Sydney and I send Shambles puppy love. Get better soon Mr. Shambles!
Posted on 24-Jul-06 at 10:07 am | Permalink
Allegra wrote:
Great Mitts! Look forward to seeing the next pair.
Posted on 24-Jul-06 at 10:37 am | Permalink
Norma wrote:
I’m so glad you used the opposite colors on them. I love the effect. It’s subtle, but it’s like an eye trick or something…..an IQ test. How many people will do a double-take when they see them?
Posted on 24-Jul-06 at 10:50 am | Permalink
Beth S. wrote:
Those are gorgeous–I don’t mind the non-matching at all, and normally that would annoy me.
I really like the contrasting color at the wrist–it really finishes the mittens beautifully. And the thought of a cashmere lining makes my heart go pitter-patter. I want to try that sometime! 
Posted on 24-Jul-06 at 10:53 am | Permalink
Arleta wrote:
I love the color change/switch. Your mittens are beautiful. I can’t wait to see the next pair. The colors you dyed are gorgeous. Poor Mr. Shambles, and poor Adrian, hope everything is back to normal soon!
Posted on 24-Jul-06 at 11:29 am | Permalink
Lori wrote:
The second I saw the first mitten, I put all her books on my Amazon wish list! They look matched enough to me! Have a better week! I hope Shambles feels better!
Posted on 24-Jul-06 at 11:58 am | Permalink
michelle wrote:
I think you made the absolute right decision about the color. The effect is subtle, yet captivating. Love them.
Posted on 24-Jul-06 at 12:29 pm | Permalink
jess wrote:
Adrian sanity vibes travelling across the pond as I type….
I had to look at the photo of the mittens again after reading the bit about switching colours… I didn’t notice!
Posted on 24-Jul-06 at 12:51 pm | Permalink
Sue M wrote:
Those mittens are so beautiful you’ve convinced me to order that book myself! Your colour choice was fabulous too.
Torn ACL = not fun. I hope you two have a good week!
Posted on 24-Jul-06 at 1:25 pm | Permalink
Sarah wrote:
I love the mittens, and I actually think the effect of the color switch makes them even more awesome.
I’m so glad to hear Shambles is on the mend, poor old dude. No more cat chasing for him!
Posted on 24-Jul-06 at 3:24 pm | Permalink
j a r e d wrote:
oh oh OH i love those new colors you dyed up. can’t wait to see them knit up together into somethin luscious
Posted on 24-Jul-06 at 3:40 pm | Permalink
Karon Martinez wrote:
I have just started knitting my first pair of mittens. I hope my FO turns out as well as yours did. Please let me know how you will knit the lining and sew it in to the mitten.
Posted on 24-Jul-06 at 6:31 pm | Permalink
E to the M wrote:
These mittens are brilliant! I’m usually a stickler for matching as well but, truth be told, I didn’t even notice that the color was switched at first. They are truly a pair to behold!
Posted on 24-Jul-06 at 6:46 pm | Permalink
Becky / Knitting Int wrote:
You’ve outdone yourself. They are all georgous! Hugs to Shambles….. goood vibes for you!
Posted on 25-Jul-06 at 1:49 am | Permalink
Elli wrote:
The mittens look incredible, as always. I love your color choices…so totally unlike anything I would ever think to put together, but really, really lovely.
Posted on 25-Jul-06 at 8:49 am | Permalink
Amy wrote:
Magnificent!
The thought of a cashmere mitten lining made me swoon.
Posted on 25-Jul-06 at 10:37 am | Permalink
Monica wrote:
The mittens look great! So… socks are to most knitters what mittens are to you?
Sending happy Shambles thoughts. Or is that “happy Shambles” thoughts…
Posted on 25-Jul-06 at 11:10 am | Permalink
Erin wrote:
Oh Shambles! I hope he mends well, sweet pup.
Posted on 25-Jul-06 at 10:03 pm | Permalink
Linda wrote:
Those mittens are beautiful! Poor Shambles - I’m glad he’s up and running now.
Posted on 28-Jul-06 at 10:13 am | Permalink
Jenny wrote:
I love the mittens. Makes me want to knit some right now. Well done you.
Posted on 17-Jul-07 at 9:48 am | Permalink
Michelle at Scribbit wrote:
Oh those are beautiful. I’m just getting into knitting with more than one color and don’t know if I’m good enough to try it yet, but at least it will give me something to aim for. Bookmarking it.
Posted on 02-Nov-07 at 12:25 pm | Permalink