Family & Hand Knits

My brother-in-law finally has his fingerless gloves, and just in time for the winter to almost be completely over. He really likes them, but won't wear them to work (which is why I made them for him in the first place, ironically!!) ... he's afraid of ruining them. Hand knits are great because there are always more to be made and give away.

In many ways knitting has fulfilled the spirit of generosity within me, but there just never seems to be enough time each day to devote to making things for others ... you know with life and all getting in the way ... but I find myself falling asleep at night thinking about what projects I have, or my new-found love for entrelac and what colors I will be able to work with next. I think it's gone from love to obsession to disease. There are times when I just want to stop and do something else, but something compels me to keep coming back. I'll see a baby who needs a burp cloth, a mother-to-be and want to make a cozy blanket for her new child, or someone who looks like they need a scarf.

Or ... my sister who keeps reminding me that I have yet to make her the scarf that I have been promising her for over a year. Sorry Sis, but I promised you pics of the scarf I'm working on for you. It might be hard to see what it's going to look like finished since it's still in its beginning stages, but let me know what you think. ;)

Fingerless Wonders

Not that what I have created gives a great representation of these two patterns, but at least they are cozy!!! [That's all that really matters, right?!?!?!]Sorry for these pics, a bit fuzzy, I know I should stop taking my own pictures and let someone else do it, scheduling issues. Oh well! :)

The slightly modified fingerless mitts are made from two different colors of Plymouth Brushed Suri Alpaca (100% Suri Alpaca) from my stash that were left over from a couple of other projects. I had two colors left and wanted to make opposite mitts, I knit them on US 7 dpn needles and modified the original pattern by picking up stitches at the thumbs and extending the knitting there in 1x1 ribbing, and also made them a little longer at the fingers to make mine a little more suitable for our Connecticut winters.....sooo warm and cozy!!! [Perfect to keep warm while knitting.] The free and simple pattern is from knit and tonic, I'm sure I'll use it again and again. [Both were knit in one evening.]

The huge fingerless gloves are for my Bro-in-law who works outside a lot. He requested something to keep his hands warm and dry while he's working, but still have the dexterity...so these fingerless gloves, from Marnie MacLean were a perfect solution. I modified the pattern to the size of my BIL's hands and the yarn gauge I was working with (Cascade 220, charcoal black, 1 skein, on the same US 7 dpn's as for the fingerless mitts). The first one took me forever, trying to tweek the pattern so that it worked with my yarn, et al...but the second one took me no more than a couple of evenings tv time.

I absolutely love knitting patterns like this, because they are functional of course, but also because they are quick knits and there's great satisfaction in having something finished within a night or two!!

I hope you enjoy the links to these two great designers and there equally great, yet simple, patterns.