Dane's Guitar Mitts

 I designed this one on my own for my son for Christmas. Sorry, I really don't want to write up the pattern. I used a guitar motif that I found in my massive index of patterns. It is doubled knitted so you get two mitts in one!

My son Dane graduated from CU Boulder with a degree in classical guitar and sound engineering. Since there were not many jobs listed on Craigslist for classical guitarists, he went back to college an got a masters in accounting. He is now a CPA, but his first love with always be guitar. He is really, really good too, but being good at something doesn't mean you will be able to make a living at it. At least he can keep his hands warm.

Cable back fingerless

Sometimes, I just want to do mindless knitting. We may go for a drive and I need something to knit while in the car. I don't want an intricate pattern but rather one I can just move my needles, sometimes without even looking at them. This is one of those patterns. I use double-pointed needles which I understand many people do not like. But you have to remember I learned to knit very young, so it was never an issue of liking or not liking; it was just what you needed to use. 

The only problem with using double-pointed needles in the car is if you drop one, it usually goes under the seat. Then we have to pull over so I can crawl under it to retrieve it. Anyway, I made these gloves while we were driving through the mountains to see the aspens changing. It has a simple cable stitch up the middle. They fit very nicely so they are on my list to do again. 

The free pattern is in Ravelry. You can find it by searching fingerless gloves called Claws by Tera Johnson. I made these a bit longer than the pattern called for.

Double knitting - part 2

 My previous post about double knitting was about double knitting fingerless gloves with a cat motif. This one is done with a dog motif. I still forgot to take a picture of the final gloves turned inside out to show the beige side. Oh well, next time.

Trying double knit -- oh boy!

 I have been knitting since I was about 4. My mother and grandmother would spend afternoons knitting while talking and planning. I grew up on a farm and only had brothers, so I would watch them instead of playing cops and robbers with them. They finally decided I needed to learn and taught me. I honestly don't remember any of this. I just always knew how to knit. My first grade teacher had to explain to me that the K and P in the alphabet were not pronounced "knit" and "purl." It was too long ago to try to make comments about "yo."

I didn't play with dolls, but I did knit clothes for them. If I wanted to play with something, I had about 100 cats outside who wanted my attention. 

My point is that I am a very experienced knitted. But every now and then, I tried something new. This time, it is double knitting. I made these fingerless gloves and gave them away as gifts. But I can't believe I didn't turn them inside out and take a picture of the reverse! Guess I am going to have to make some more. The spots around the top and bottom are supposed to be paw prints, but it didn't quite work out so well. That's why I changed it to a heart border on the next pair.

These are the kitty gloves. I made a puppy one and will post that in the next few days.

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cheshire-cat-mitts-2

Celtic Fingerless Gloves in Teal

 More fingerless gloves. This pair have a Celtic design on the back of the hand, made in a soft teal yarn. I ended up giving this pair away to a friend of mine as well. One of these days, I'll keep some of these gloves for myself!

This is a free pattern available on Ravelry, link below. It is a German pattern but it is translated well. It is a great pattern if you have never tried cable knitting before. It is a great pattern for those of us who love Celtic designs too.

 

 

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fingerless-gloves---stulpen

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fingerless-gloves---stulpen?set=&_rfoff=1

Kitty Cuffs

Once again, my love of cats and fingerless gloves combine. This pattern is also from Cat Knit (See post of November 20, 2022). I wish I would have used a darker color for the cats on the cuffs, but it still beautiful and comfortable. I used Woolike yarn from Loops and Threads. 

 

 

I'm Back

 I have neglected this blog too long. I have mainly just been knitting so I felt like I had nothing to say. We are all healthy, the kitties are happy, and my sons are successful. What more can I say?

So I decided I need to just post the projects that I have completed even if I have nothing earth-shattering to say. So just get ready for lots of pictures of completed projects and even some links to patterns. 

One of my favorite projects is fingerless gloves. This pattern is from the Knit Like a Latvian Accessories book which I got at the library.

 So I am just going to post pictures of projects I have completed throughout the last couple of years, so be prepared for lots of posts over the next several days and weeks.

The Sandie Fingerless - Free pattern

 

This is a very soft novelty yarn I purchased several years ago. I was happy to see it still available online since the yarn store where I purchased it is long closed. It is a little tricky to work with though. You have to be sure to knit through the thread holding the fluff on. It is very easy to knit some of the fluff instead. The other hard part is that it is very difficult to frog --  just a warning.

Sandie Fingerless Gloves

 

MATERIALS
1 skein Sirdar Snowflake Ultra light Chunky

(100% Polyester; 125m/137yds) 50g
Size US 5 (3.75mm) Double Pointed Needles
Yarn needle

Stitch markers

Gauge: 8 stitches per 2 inches.

Two sizes: Medium (Large). Both left and right hands are made the same.

 

Cast on 30 (34) sts. Place marker and join.

Purl one round.

Work in stockinette (knit every round) for 4½” (5½”).

Thumb hole: Turn your work. Slip first stitch as if to purl. Purl around to the gap.

Turn. Sl1. Knit to the gap.

Turn. Sl1. Purl to the gap.

Repeat the last two rows until the gap is 2” (Total work is 6½” (7½”)

Knit to the gap but do not turn. Knit over the gap and continue to work in stockinette (knit every round) for 2½” (3½”) or the desired length.

Purl one round. 

Bind off. Cut yarn, leaving a tail. Weave in end.

 

Teal, not Blue

 Remember a few days ago I told you about Lion Brand's yarn called Amazing Lace. I especially like the bright colors. This is actually a bright teal color, but it shows up more here as a blue. But it is TEAL!, bright teal.

Black Fingerless with Silver Roses

 My favorite lace cuff is so fun. I use it a lot.

Fingerless in lavender again

 Just a basic fingerless glove with white flowers applique. I use a fabric glue to attach the embellishment.

Overload of Lavendar

This is also a commission of lavender fingerless gloves for my sister-in-law. Flowers and lace for three generations.

 

Still at it ....

More fingerless ...

I can't seem to stop!!

Can I call it Knitting-Related OCD?

Whether you call it "on a binge" "going through a phase" or "in a rut", I have recently noticed that I tend to knit the type of garment over and over until the "feeling passes." I have gone through many hat binges, as well as socks, baby booties, scarves, shawls, and baby hats. You can even see it on this blog if you go back through the titles.

Right now, it's fingerless gloves. And this phase has lasted a while. Right now I am making simple, straightforward gloves so I am put an iron-on applique on back of the hand. I have also been toying with lace cuffs to add a bit of flair.

This also includes the purchase of the appliques. I haunted the craft stores for appliques, but they don't stock much, and what they do stock is unexciting. So I turned to the wonderful world of the internet and Etsy. Now I have appliques of cats, unicorns, dragons, sunflowers, flower strays, bluebirds, and music staffs. (I kind of went overboard).

The truth is I can't knit as fast as I can buy appliques, so I hope this phase lasts awhile. These are first of several to come so check back often.

By the way, I will be listing these on my Etsy page myself, and I will be writing up the patterns I use to makes these too. You can check it out at http://www.etsy.com/shop/KniceKnittiesShop

Fingerless gloves just to show off.

And one for the guys