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December 10, 2006
Squirrel and Oak Mittens
I already got one project under my belt (which is flipping amazing since I am so horrible at keeping up with knit-alongs) for Stranded: The Colorwork Challenge KAL. I present to thee. . .
[Clicky on the pic for some notes.]
Yarn: Two balls of Knitpicks' (and one of my new favorite yarns) Telemark (one in "Pesto and the other in "Drift")
Needles: US 5 32' Addi circs
Modifications: I decided to knit up the year "1983" instead of "2006" like the pattern calls for. These are gonna be an extremely belated birthday gift so I thought it would be more fitting.
For: My pal Stephanie
So the thing I noticed about making mittens that included any sort of colorwork is that it seems to impress the heck out of people. I'd be working on these mittens on the bus or subway, and strangers would come up to me and ask me all sorts of questions about the skill and time needed to knit up a pair of elaborate mittens like this. People are always surprised to hear, "Not hard at all, any knitter" and "I dunno, a weekend."
So that is why mittens of this nature make for great hand-knitted gifts to the non-knitter. They require very little yarn, effort, and time, and the recepient will think they're real fancy and think you're the swellest (word?) person ever. Hee hee.
But anyhoo, I already casted on for another pair of mittens today. I'm hooked! I'm having a lot of fun contributing to the Stranded Colorwork KAL, as well as seeing and getting inspired by what everyone else whips up. You should join if you haven't already, the water's fine.
Posted by Sandra at December 10, 2006 01:20 PM
Comments
Those are beautiful! The squirrel's birthmark is adorable; it gives him character. I love Hello Yarn, and have been admiring those mittens (and the piratey ones!) for a long time, but the colorwork sort of frightens me. But "I dunno, a weekend" makes me think I ought to try them! :)
Posted by: Julie at December 10, 2006 03:31 PM
I really have to try my hand at some of this mitten madness, those are cute squirrelly mitts. Sure they will be really appreciated.
Posted by: Schrodinger at December 10, 2006 03:39 PM
they turned out great! i love the squirrel and oak leaf motif. stranded mittens are very impressive! i've loved all of the ones the spiders have been cranking out lately.
Posted by: gleek at December 10, 2006 04:13 PM
Gosh, I love them! I have some plans for stranded mittens... I don't know if I will be able to turn them around as fast as you, however. They look great in the green ;)
Posted by: Lolly at December 10, 2006 04:43 PM
These are great, but girlfriend, you move FAST! Great job!
Posted by: Skylar at December 10, 2006 07:37 PM
Love the colors you used-beautiful!
Posted by: brooke at December 10, 2006 08:21 PM
unbelievably beautiful... both the patterns and the white and green combination! Great job!!!
Posted by: Barbara at December 10, 2006 09:44 PM
Those are awesome! Man, I have such stranding-envy! I would join the KAL in a heartbeat if I wasn't chained to two knitting deadlines. Maybe if it's still cookin' in January...
Posted by: Katy at December 11, 2006 08:23 AM
I think I will join that KAl as I have two stranded fair isle mitts in the pattern queue. Love the squirrel and the oak! How adorable - and original! Isn't it great how fast they work up/ Telemark is good stuff!
Posted by: Lisa at December 11, 2006 09:07 AM
Aiiii - more squirrels. I am seeing them all over the internet today and I fear them like I fear no other animal.
Posted by: MeBeth at December 11, 2006 10:24 AM
Wow! I'm impressed too. Colorwork seems really difficult.
Posted by: Amy at December 11, 2006 11:23 AM
So cute! Yes, colorwork mittens do seem to impress--have you gotten a lot of "You should sell those!"'s as well? (Groan) I love that little squirrel, he's a cutie.
Posted by: Jessica at December 11, 2006 12:55 PM
great mittens! I think colorwork projects go lots faster for some weird reason....
Posted by: Stacey at December 11, 2006 01:50 PM
i like the colors you used for yours! that telemark is great stuff. i see many more projects used with it in the future...
Posted by: melissa at December 11, 2006 03:25 PM
i haven't seen these yet and they are so damn cute! i need to try colorwork. any suggestions for a first project?
Posted by: carrie m at December 11, 2006 05:32 PM
The color combination you've chosen looks great. I've never made mittens before, but I'm in love with this style.
Posted by: Nik at December 11, 2006 05:32 PM
They do look very impressive! Well done :)
Posted by: BrownPants at December 12, 2006 11:41 PM
wow... your mittens are terrific!
Posted by: Mary at December 21, 2006 10:33 PM