Reader Participation Day! Yeah!
I sucked it up and just kept going on fingerless mitt #1. All the knit grrls (as Margene would say) thought it seemed good so I plugged along. Ultimately if I’m going to wear them while computing a snugger fit is probably desirable so they aren’t getting in the way and pressing keys on their own.
That brings me to reader participation question number 1 - How do you use your fingerless mitts? I have a knitting friend who just “doesn’t get it.” She sees patterns for them and asks what good they are for. I tell her I like to wear them while computing because I have poor circulation and my hands tend to get quite cold. Then I remembered using such things for football and hockey pep band. What other uses can I offer her to make her see the light of fingerless mitts and gloves?
I’ve also been going round and round about whether to offer this pattern. But after much deliberation at SnB last night it was decided there were many neat details and techniques to this pattern that would make it of use to people. I’ve been doing a lot of free patterns and test knitting for others lately so it is getting about time I put out another pattern.
At first glance I’m sure this mitt just looks like another Fetching. It was certainly inspired by all the gorgeous Fetchings I have seen around blogland. However, I had wanted to use my handspun which was a far cry from the gauge used in Fetching. Then, since I was going to have to retweak that much I decided to use a different cable and put in a thumb gusset for a more comfortable fit. While doing all of that I decided to knit it on 2-circs and skip the waste yarn often used for thumbs. I also figured out a way to skip all that pesky picking up or casting on of extra stitches to close gaps between the thumb and the main mitten body. The result of that technique is a really nice fitting thumb join that I find quite comfortable.
So, reader participation question number two (prizes are involved) - What should I name this pair of mitts? The person who suggests the name I choose (or stimulates my arrival at the chosen name) will get a free copy of the finished pattern. I’ll also throw everyone else in a hat and give another copy of the pattern to that person.
So, reader participation question(s) number three - Do you have 200-225 yds of fingering weight yarn in your stash calling your name for some fingerless mitts? I’d say Mountain Colors Bearfoot, any of KnitPicks sock yarns, perhaps the mid weight Socks that Rock etc. would work. I wouldn’t recommend the finer sock yarns like Lorna’s Laces, Wildfoote, or Anne and the like unless you have petite hands. Do you have any pairs of circs on hand? You don’t have to be experienced in knitting on two circs, but you’ll need a size that you can achieve 7 sts/in in st st on with your yarn. In fact, I’d like at least one person who will be knitting on 2-circs for the first time if at all possible. Would you like to test knit the pattern? I should have the draft completed by the end of today. I’d like someone who thinks they can get through the first mitt and get back to me with any questions or point out unclear areas in the next week. This means you probably need to have the circular needles (or a nearby LYS with them) and the yarn on hand so you can jump right in. I can only offer up a free copy of the final formatted pattern in the end and of course you’ll get to knit it before anyone else :-)
EDIT: I have all the test knitters I need. Thank you all so much though! I really appreciate the offers. I am enjoying the name options as well, please keep those coming! :-)
