No H8 and Peace Mittens

This is a free pattern that I've been working on for my daughter, Analisa.  She's facinated by the No H8 movement.  No H8 is the left mitten, and Peace is the right.  If you want to make them both the same, use the chart for the back twice, and use the chart for the right palm and left palm.  (This way the thumbs will be in the right places!) I'm really happy with how the motif knits up! If you make these, please send me a pic, or post it on Ravlery.  Thanks!

Materials: Size 5 needles
Cascade Yarns 220 Sport

White - Main Color
Black - Contrast Color

Makes women's size large mittens, 8.5 inches around and 8.5 inches long. For smaller or larger size, decrease or increase needle size respectively.


The cast on for the mock-rib wrist  (52 sts) is fewer than the stitches for the mitten body (60).  In the solid color row before the main mitten pattern, increase on stitch every 8 stitches to achieve the 60 sts needed.

This pattern is designed in the round, with a mitered top and a mitered afterthought thumb.  It can be worked flat, using the edges of the pattern for seaming.  Enjoy it!  And I'm always happy to see pics.  Thanks!

Mean People Suck

I spent the afternoon at Karma yesterday, and was the designated Knit Doctor. A customer came in with a small problem and a big attitude.  Angry Customer was angry about an error my free pattern in the newsletter.  Angry about the correction I published a week later.  She had started tha pattern, had made some mistakes not related to my error.  She wanted me to rip back and re-knit the 18 rows.  (I didn't.)  She explained to me I was "foolish" to have made any mistakes, and that I shouldn't publish original patterns.  I should copy other patterns and cut and paste them into the newsletter.  (???)

I'm sure this balanced the universe in some way, but I wish I knew how. (Pride and curiosity are two of my Karmic tasks to overcome.) I didn't take the bait and argue, though I was tempted.  ("Foolish"?)  I said, "I sincerely and deeply apologize for any trouble my error has caused you."  I meant it.  If a mistake in a pattern can cause this sort of vitriol and condescension to be spewed into the world, I hope I never make another error!

Later, a Mother-Daughter came with yarn from a dear and deceased grandmother, and wanted to work her yarn into their projects to commemorate her.  They were confused and happy, asking answerless questions. "I lost the pattern, started this project a year ago, and wonder what to do next.  I think it was gloves.  Or mittens.  How can I finish them?"  It was hard to meet their needs, but they were happy.  What a contrast to Angry Customer. 

On reflection,  I hope Karma Knitting offers Angry Customer some peace in her life.  I hope Mother-Daughter gets satisfaction out of their commemoration project.  And I'm really glad that Angry Customer was gone before Mother-Daughter came in.  It would have ruined their lovely gesture of respect.