I Am Yarn's Bitch

I'm not a fast knitter.  I think if I were better at Continental method I might be able to lay on some serious speed.  And these days, I really need it.

In the last few weeks I've been very fortunate to have received yarn sponsorships for a number of projects, leaving me with a knitwear designer's version of a ton of homework!  Believe me, it's a good problem to have.  With the craziness of my life, the holidays coming, and a job, knitting is a creative outlet, peaceful, and a point of pride.  Yet, let's face it.  It's also pressure and deadlines.  Yarn has made me her bitch.

Mountain Colors Crazyfoot in Juniper

I hate that to protect publishing and ownership agreements I can't show you finished projects, but I can at least show you the yarn!  In order (I think) -

Mountain Colors:  I've made one of two mittens I designed for them.  The yarn is Crazyfoot, and I particularly love the green.  "Juniper" is the colorway.  I'm seriously thinking this could be a Knitty submission.

Holiday Yarns:  A pair of "Man" mittens for the upcoming season.  The pattern is largely written, but is likely to change as I knit it up.  Ideas always hit me mid-project.  This DK weight yarn has lovely shproing to it.  It's got a nice loft, a high twist, and I love the Cafe Au Lait colorway.  It looks like a variety of kinds of mocha desserts to me!

DirtyWater Dyeworks: Socks or mittens in a semi-baroque pattern.  This pattern is fighting me a bit, but I will prevail in the end. These two colors together feel very French Provincial to me.  The yarn is Julia, 50/50 merino and tencel, and seductively soft for its strength.

A Christmas Stocking for a "shall remain nameless" company.  The group of colors feels very Normann Rockwell, doesn't it?  I'd like to do something that looks vintage without being campy.  Editing well will be key.


An outstanding design for Buffalo Gold, colors yet to be determined.  I love this pattern. I know I'm not supposed to pick favorites, but sometimes it can't be helped.  I can't wait to see the color choices they make!

Plus, because I'm silly, I grabbed some yarn at a festival so I can knit up my next free mitten pattern.  It's from Into the Whirled. 

An embarrassment of riches.  Or a guillotine over my head, depending on whether there's a deadline looming.  I think I need to go have some chocolate.  To bring balance to the universe.  You know.

Digital Chain Stitch Mittens

This is the last if the Mitered top mittens for awhile.  The remaining mittens I intend to post are conventional tops.  These were designed and knit for my son a few years ago, when he was big on Legos and computer games.  Naturally, now that I want a photo of them, he can't find them.  (I've learned, no mittens for teens until after  the pictures!)  I made them in black and a vivid blue.  They are slightly different dimensions from the last couple of pairs, being slightly longer and wider. 

Materials: Size 5 needles

Cascade Yarns 220 Worsted Wool

White - Main Color
Dark Grey - Contrast Color

Makes Men's Medium mittens. For smaller or larger size, decrease or increase needle size respectively.

Medium Grey and white - Rib stitch in Contrast Color

Cast on 52 st in contrast color and work ribbing as indicated, or three inches.  In the solid color row before the main mitten pattern, increase one stitch every 4 stitches 12 times, then knit remaining 4 stitches.  64 sts.

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.

The pattern for the back and front of the thumb is the same, so it is listed only once above.  Remember to use the Right thumb chart for the right mitten and the Left for the left!  (I've had to rip back a couple of thumbs for this reason, and it makes me crazy!) The blue lines on the palm of the mitten body represent where to knit with scrap yarn for thumb placement. 

If your mitten recipient has longer hands or thumbs than the chart indicates, repeat the existing graph to add length.  If you need help modifying the pattern, please write, and I will send you a customized graph!  

Happy knitting!