These days it seems like writing a blog post is a 3-4 day ordeal, and I’m not really sure why. Usually it begins with me deciding what to write about (1 day), then taking pictures (1 day), editing, tagging and uploading those pictures (1 day) and then finally sitting down to actually do the writing (another day). This is also assuming that I even do these things on consecutive days, which hasn’t really been the case lately. I don’t think it has anything to do with blog doldrums or anything…I just think life tends to get in the way, and I often thing of blogging as something that “I’ll get to later.”
At any rate, later is finally here, and I have a lovely new knit to show off.
My first ever mittens, and I am smitten indeed. The pattern is just perfect, and the final result is quite eye catching, in my opinion. I really enjoyed working with the BFL also, it just has such a different feel. I almost can’t describe it in words, it feels so lustrous and organic to me, like working with yarn fresh off the sheep. It’s definitely wool, but not the wool you’re used to.
- Pattern: Herringbone Mittens, from Elliphantom Knits
- Yarn: Yarn Nerd 1200 MHz BFL, dyed in custom shades of Dijon Yellow and Chocolate Red
- Needles / Gauge: I used US #4’s, and got 6 sts / in and 8 rows / in.
- Modifications: To compensate for the shorter row gauge with the sport weight, I worked a few more pattern repeats in the body and thumb. See Ravelry for more details.
They definitely came in handy last weekend, as I went up to CO for a bit of skiing. It was my first day out this season and the mittens were quite nice for those chilly CO mornings. Nothing like warm hands while you shush down the powdery slopes. I’m terribly uncoordinated in everyday life (I fall down stairs and walk into walls routinely), but for some reason, when I have some sticks strapped to my feet, I’m as graceful as a swan. It’s one of those mysteries I don’t think I’ll ever solve, but that’s alright with me. I try not to question things, as skiing is about the only athletic thing that I can do with any aptitude. Granted, I am getting better at the bike these days, but before bike commuting, I was known for biking into trees. Yipes.
Thanks for your reassurances on the coffee smell too, it’s nice to know I’m not the only one who thinks confusing coffee and skunks is impossible! I’m not too concerned about it, since the guy who works in the lab with me isn’t bothered by it, the only complaints have been from people walking through, so they’ll get over it. Besides, they wouldn’t want to have to work with me sans caffeine anyway ;)
Alright, I think it’s about time for me to wrap this post up, since it’s getting a bit late. Not a terribly exciting post, but it should suffice. I hope everyone has a good Sunday (isn’t it the super bowl or something tomorrow?), and I’ll see you next time knitting fans. (Yeah, that was the worst sign off ever. I’m aware of it.)
They’re super cute!
You did a fantastic job!
Oh, those mittens are gorgeous. Nice work!
I usually have the same problem with my blog, only now I have my mom on my tail to post more often! I definitely have the the mitten bug too! And with the mitten bug comes the overwhelming desire to knit matching hats… and then matching scarves. Would matching socks be too much?
Your color combo is very appealing to me. Great mittens!
They are awesome! You colour combo is wicked!
No–super-adorable sign off! You’re motivating me to finish my Herringbones…
Your mittens are fabulous! Really nice! Better to be a klutz in every day life than on the slopes! You’ll never break your leg walking into a wall (ask me how I know) ;-)
The mittens came out great! I need to make mittens sometime…
Do you use the flickr uploader tool? It makes everything so much easier.
I’m one of those people who is clumsy, too. You should have seen me trying to snowboard up in Santa Fe!
I’m a klutz in bare feet and on skis and everything in between!
Great mittens…I’ve got to put those on my to-do list. It just keeps growing!
Ooooooh, what lovely mittens, I LOVE the colors! Way to go on your first ever pair…(my first were very very plain). I do very much like the BFL, have a sweater made in it (an old Berroco sample!), but haven’t worked with it. Have worked with some locally spun Coopworth, and like that very much. I am totally with you on the clumsy thing, trip over my own feet, and yet, do very nice martial art forms. Go figure.
Thanks for the post…you know how impatient I get when you go too long between postings. Love the mittens…it has been cold the last few days so I am sure they are coming in handy. I do believe it is Super Bowl Sunday, although I have no idea who is playing. I am just looking forward to a nice afternoon of knitting. Hope you are coming over so I can have some company as everyone else will be focused on the game. Maybe I should have organized a “Knitting Bowl!” Anyway love the mittens, and the pictures were great too! Love ya~
Smitten indeed. They’re wonderful.
My first knitting project when I started the “sport” again in 2000 was a pair of bulky mittens! I have yet to do colorwork, though. That’s high on my list of things I want to try … when I have time … whenever that will be! :) Yours look fantastic!
Love the mittens!!!! BFL is my favorite–better than the cashmere it’s compared with. I found a quote once: “I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several attack me at once.”
are you kidding me? those mittens are amazing!
Great mittens! I’ve made fingerless gloves but haven’t tried mittens yet. Guess I’ll have to put them on my list!
Those mittens are gorgeous! We are going to Durango for some skiing at the end of February so I’m hoping the snow just keeps on falling in that area.
Love those colors! The mittens look great, and I am SO jealous of your ski trip in Colorado. That’s a dream of mine. I’ve spent two summers there, but that doesn’t really help with accomplishing the “ski” dream.
nice mittens adam! that’s a great shot of them in the wild, too.
Ummm…maybe you are just overthinking the blogging? I mean, I’m a perfectionist in recovery but I’ve learned that sometimes you just have to learn to relax and enjoy the process without stressing over the end product.
I absolutely love the way your mittens turned out! Gorgeous colors,especially how the gold changes shades throughout. They fit you perfectly and just really look like an overall great finished project–You’ve made me anxious to cast on!
the photos are beautiful and the colors in those mittens are yummy.
it takes me forever to write a post too. but i always take the pictures first.
Mitteny goodness it is! Gorgeous photos Adam!
Great looking mittens! Love your pictures!
i too am smitten with your mittens. and your photos.
Your mittens are stunning! I love the colour combination you chose … so uplifting when the weather is dreary. Nice work!
Nice mittens! But that wasn’t what made me want to leave a comment (and I am one lazy commenter lately, let me tell you!). No, I wanted to say that I too am terribly inept in the “Everyday Grace” category. Recently, I sliced my finger open while unpackaging a knife (yes, I knew it was a knife and, yes, I knew it was brand-new and therefore sharp) and two hours later I was still holding an on-the-fly bandaid (read: tissue) to my finger. Earlier that same week, I bruised my toe on a shopping cart at the supermarket and then I saved my boyfriend from falling over by kindly providing my face for cushioning (it worked brilliantly. He didn’t fall down.). Bicycling has with it a whole big set of stories that include bushes, trees, light posts, and a fractured elbow. Glad to know I’m not the only one…
Hello Adam! Just discovered your blog, those mitts are fab. I am going to knit them someday so hope they turn out as good!
Wonderful mittens! Too funny about strapping the sticks on your feet. I ski too, but I’m not so graceful at that either. Not too bad, just mediocre. But I’m not too much of a klutz without the sticks too. Perhaps it’s just a life of extremes you live!
I really like this color combo,they are fantastic in a spicy kind of way. Yeah, that makes no sense, but I really do like the mittens.
Me TOO! I’ve had the same problem with the ol’ blogosphere (in my case a lot of it is technical; I’m not very facile with all this computer and pictures and technology stuff). I haven’t tried any stranding or colorwork or two-color stuff ever, but those mittens are STUNNING (and my daughter did houndstooth successfully too recently). You’re an inspiration, all the way around! (Well - as soon as I’m off my Dedicated Project Monogamy). ::sigh::
I love red and yellow together. Superb job for first mittens. Mine are in the works but other projects get in the way. I’ll need to dig them out before winter is over! You’ve got lots of great knitting. I enjoyed your blog.
What a lovely pair of mittens! The color combo is perfect!
You are talented indeed! Love those colours, must do those myself now. I also LOVE schnauzers esp. the small ones. As to skiing, I had to give up cos I kept going right, usually into someone! My friend called me Bumper as well cos I keep bumping into people I walk next to. Is that strange or what?
Hey Adam~~
I just want to say wishing you best Valentine’s Day!
Love, Charles
Adam, what a great pairing of yarn and pattern!! Those mitts are lovely!!!