Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Knit-picky

I have to re-revise that thing I said about finishing four things before starting a pair of Vinterblomster mitts -- I've already started. Twice.


Wait, I'm going to back up a bit. I got excited about these mittens not only because they're just really sweet-looking, but also because I could use the red and grey Scheepjes Invicta Extra that was too thin for the Double Thick Mittens. For the third colour, I'm using yet more of the neverending blue Sisu previously seen in my Blue Herrings and Charades. There's not a huge amount of contrast between the red and grey, but I like the combo.

OK, so first I cast on with grey and started knitting away; I'd printed out the instructions but not the photos, so I hadn't thought to make the cuff in red. Oops. I got through Chart 1 and Chart 2, and was starting on Chart 3, when I really looked at what I'd knit so far, and I had to admit I wasn't happy. Not only was the cuff the wrong colour, but it was too big and loose -- the cuff and the stranded areas were knit on the same (2.50mm) needles, but gauge is automatically tighter in stranded areas, so the cuff flared. Also, several rows have only one colour, and I'd gone ahead and knit those rows as a single thickness; in these areas, the gauge was larger and the fabric was half as thick, and that was bugging me. Even though I'd already knit so much, I knew that the real waste of time was not going to be in ripping back and restarting, but in carrying on and knitting a pair of mittens I wasn't happy with. So rip I did.

I decided to change the garter cuff to a stockinette hem on smaller needles. Less flare and more flair, in my opinion. Also, for the rows that have only one colour, I carried the other colour along behind the work in order to keep the double thickness throughout. Much better! I don't consider myself to be a knitting perfectionist, but sometimes I'd rather rip than settle.


In other knitting news, have you looked at the new Knitty? I've already queued Lace Ribbon, Laminaria, and Salto. Oh, and in case you're wondering how I'm getting so much knitting done, I'm getting my reading done, too. Whether because of stress or something else, I hardly ever sleep anymore. And whaddya know -- when you don't sleep, you can read and knit. Funny, that.

14 comments:

Megan said...

I think that Lace Ribbon will be the Clapotis of 2008. (I've already printed out the pattern...)

Steph said...

"Less flare and more flair"... nice one! Very snappy.

Trust Meegie - she's a fashionista.

La Cabeza Grande said...

"Sometimes I'd rather rip than settle."

I need to take a lesson from you. You are wise beyond your years and a talented knitter, to boot. Now, if you could just work in at least *some* sleep...

Anonymous said...

Oh, you Vinterblomster temptresses! How am I supposed to stick to my resolve to finish at least one of my current projects before I cast on for these when I keep seeing alluring flowered cuffs all over the internet?

The red stockinet cuffs are very natty indeed.

spajonas said...

great edits on those mittens! i think that they'll be perfect when you're done with them!

Robin said...

your mods to the mitts look great. The red cuff is very nice. Glad to hear you are getting lots of reading (and knitting) done. Have a nap once in a while though - just because you can.

Anonymous said...

Love that red cuff. And if I ever start knitting again, I'm knitting that Lace Ribbon.

In fact, if I had the right yarn on hand, I'd *actually* start knitting right now!

Stacey said...

nothing wrong with ripping to get what you'll be happy with! I like the red cuff much better. those mitts are so teeth-hurting cute!

JustApril said...

You chose wisely! Very cute version 2.0 =)

Chelsea said...

I like the red cuff much better! Good decision.

Seanna Lea said...

Gosh, I've been waiting for the new Knitty to come out. Time to add too much stuff to the queue.

Thinks too much said...

Nice mitts. But I read somewhere that sleep is actually necessary for survival.

Scrappy Raven said...

I think it was time worth spent redoing the cuff. Your new version looks stunning and good luck with the sleep and reading.

pamela wynne said...

you know I love those mittens. Cannot WAIT to see the pair. xo