Happy Giftee

My dear friend, Pemma, was the recipient of the Composed Mitts I knit for Christmas.



I think she likes them...

Christmas Prezzie #1 done!

The stranded fingerless mitts are done!



I have so enjoyed this project, my first colourwork knitting!

In fact, I got so much enjoyment from it that I've purchased some colourwork books that should arrive next week, and I'm on my way to pick up a couple more from the libary. Reviews to come!

In the meantime, here are the FO details:

"Where do Generals Keep their Armies . . ." (Composed Mitts)
Pattern: Composed Mitts by Michelle Rose Orne from Interweave Knits, Fall 2007

Yarn: Blue Sky Alpacas Sport Weight, Alpaca Silk, and Melange to get the colours right

Needles: 3.5mm (US 4) Addi Turbo circular needles, using magic loop

Ravelry Page: click away!





Yep, it's going to be hard to give these away.

One mitt done!

IMG_0090
Originally uploaded by linzknits

Ok, I am in love with colourwork. This project has been so much fun, and SUCH a learning experience.

I think I am going to do a lot more stepping out of my comfort zone to learn new techniques.

I am now knitting two colours with one in each hand! I'm 'picking' the one in the left hand, and 'throwing' the one in the right hand.

There are fabulous technique explanations out there, and the ones that really made the process click for me are this post at Knitting in Color and this TechKnitting tutorial.

I can't wait to work on the next mitten -- hopefully with new and improved even tension!

Faux Fair Isle

Apparently, I'm not knitting Fair Isle at all.

My composed knits are just knitting stranded colourwork, and there are GRAND debates all over the internet about what you're actually allowed to call Fair Isle. Fair Isle is a type of stranded colourwork, but not all stranded colourwork is Fair Isle. And you can have woven colourwork... don't get me started.

Doh.

If you are interested in Fair Isle and knitting accuracy, first of all, I apologize. Then I direct you to this fantastic blog, Knitting in Colour so you can read the entries on Fair Isle vs stranded colourwork parts one and two.

Fair-Isle Frenzy!

Yep. First little bit of Fair-Isle, and I am so hooked.

So very hooked, that I had to take a crappy webcam pick to show off. I am absolutely in love.

Somehow I managed to get all this done (about 1/2 the first wristwarmer) last night. It feels like this is going so quickly. I guess compared to giant lace, it is going to be a quick project!!

Yarn Bouquet & Back Join

If I'm going to be talking technique, you at least deserve a pretty photo: a yarn bouquet of my alpaca for the Composed Mitts.

I am concerned (or shall I say petrified) about the number of ends I will have to weave in at the end of this project. On each mitt. That's TWO mitts, with about a bajillion ends.

Therefore, I've already been looking for ways to avoid this problem, even before casting on.

I have found what appears to be the perfect solution: the back join!

I promise you, it is well worth your time to check out the posts at TechKnitting. The Series Index is an excellent overview of the techniques on this blog, and my mind has already been blown by thinking about charting charts, and i-cord hat topper cast-ons.

First Fair-Isle

I had a blast this afternoon picking out Alpaca at Lettuce Knit, my favourite LYS.

I may know absolutely nothing about Fair-Isle, but I know I love picking out 6 skeins of Blue Sky Alpacas, my favourite yarn on the planet.

The project will be the Composed Mitts from the Fall 2007 Interweave Knits for a dear friend for Christmas. I think this is the perfect excuse to learn a new knitting technique.

I managed to purchase the pattern online from Interweave -- quick and easy!

As usual, Ravelry Notes here will likely have more frequent updates than the blog.