Monday, February 28, 2011

A Work in Progress

A Work In Progress

As much as I love making socks, I enjoy other knitting too. This next project combines the element of socks and sock making yet it's not a pair of socks. I joined a group on Ravelry that loves to use sock yarn to make projects but they don't knit socks. I have seen some really nice projects with sock yarn, especially shawls. I have made two shawls with sock yarn that I enjoyed, but there are other projects that interest me. I have a lot of sock yarn so finding other things besides socks will help to use up my stash. So the next project fits that bill to a T.

My friend Jen has done some designing and I have fallen in love with her design Lillyfield. On my list of things to do this year is to do two color knitting and use charts more. Lillyfield helps me with two of my three challenges for this year. I love the Lillyfield mitten because they are so well done and I love the fact that I can just change one color and use the cream for the backround and make the gloves for anyone (more than likely females).

Right now I am working on my Feb. socks so the mittens will get worked on between socks projects but I wanted to show what I have done so far. I have gotten one cuff done and are about to start the chart work. Here is the cuff...
Can you see the scalloped cuff? I love that added design element. Plus the cuff is lined. Yes, lined.
The pattern says to knit about 15 rows in the CC (contrasting color).
After add the MC (main color) and the knit more rows the that color, turn the CC (in this case it will be white) up inside the cuff and pick up stitches so that they are attached to the MC (in this case the blue/green). The only part of the mitten that are lined is the cuff.
Such a clever idea. It took me a few minutes to understand but when I finally got it, I was so pleased with the way it turned out.

I wanted to show you how the colors look in a caked skein. I am using this yarn from KnitPicks. The name of the colorway is Northwoods. I used Chroma's Bare colorway as the contrasting color. That's the color of the lining of the cuff.
Here is the outside of the caked skein. It's a single ply. I don't have a lot of yarn for socks that is single ply. I don't usually buy a lot of KnitPicks yarn but I have to say it's been a pleasure to knit with so far. I am using size 2.25mm needles or US 1s. I love how the tiny stitches give it such a refined look. So stayed tuned as I knit these mittens between all the other projects over the next few months. I think they will be a joy to knit and a feast for the eyes once they are done.


4 comments:

Jen said...

love it so far! can't wait to see them!

Cheryl in AZ said...

This totally looks great. Does Jen have her pattern out there on Rav? Can I get it. They would be a great gift for the boys' girlfriends for next year. Lord knows I don't really need mittens out here (at least not yet - as I am not yet acclimated)

vlb5757 said...

Jen-Thanks! I forgot to bring my one cuff yesterday. It was all I could do to get there. I promise you will see them as they are being knit! It's been so easy so far!
Cheryl-Yes, Jen's pattern is on Ravelry. I did link to it in this post. I think I paid $5 something for it.

Paula said...

Wonderful work, dear! *Sigh* You amaze me...