persistence mitts

FINALLY... these fingerless mitts are done. For me, these gave a brand new meaning to the whole "if-at-first-you-don't-succeed" adage. I can't even COUNT how many times I tried to finish them: at first, I started using Paula McKeever's Cafe au Lait mitts pattern (with the crosshatch lace stitch, found here), but the wool I was using just kept sliding off my DPNs... over and over and over and OVER again. Each time, I found myself unraveling the entire project in a fit of knitting rage. (I'm sure many of you have experienced this at least once, yes?) After an estimated 15 attempts (and about two weeks of precious craft time), I finally switched to a simpler pattern with my trusted Sugar 'n Cream - in a pretty, almost spearmint-y color - and that made all the difference.



I ended up casting on 30 stitches onto three size 7 DPNs, knitting 4.5 inches of k1, p1 ribbing, keeping the main section (with thumb gusset) in plain stockinette stitch, and finishing off with more ribbing. (The ribbing at the top serves a practical purpose too - it stays a bit looser than stockinette stitch, so your fingers are free for cozy tasks like reading or sipping a cup of coffee.)

A great video tutorial for creating a thumb gusset can be found here. (It comes in parts - watch them all!)

<3 N