"Properly practiced, knitting soothes the troubled spirit, and it doesn't hurt the untroubled spirit either." ~ Elizabeth Zimmerman

10/1/10

Well, That Was Quick!

Tuesday I had a thought (yeah, that happens sometimes). Saturday is the 10th annual Parktoberfest. It's a party the Parks have every year for family and friends just because we can. There is much eating, drinking, talking, laughing, and games. We have the caber toss, the frying pan throw, the Goof ball tournament, the log sawing contest, etc. etc. It's usually a lot of fun, even when some of us get stinking drunk.

The idea was bandied about to not have it this year because Chet won't be there, but it was decided we need to have it anyway. Especially it being the 10th one. Anyway, to get back to the thought I had, usually it's pretty cold on Parktoberfest day. I always take my knitting and always end up with frozen hands. So Tuesday I thought about making myself some fingerless mitts for the occasion. I chose something that would knit up really fast, and boy, did it! I cast them on Tuesday night, I finished them last night. I spent about 6 hours total on the project, and I LOVE them. I don't know why I didn't make some for myself sooner than this. They keep the hands warm while letting my fingers knit.


Fuzzy Fingerless Mitts ( for me) 

Pattern: Maine Morning Mitts  by Clara Parkes
Size: Womans
Yarn: N.Y. Yarns Fluff in black
Content:
100% Nylon
Yarn: Lionbrand Microspun in black
Content:
100% Acrylic
Needles: Addi Turbo Circular size 7.
Cast on: September 28, 2010
Bound off: September 30, 2010

Comments: The pattern is well written, easy, and knits up quickly. It calls for Noro Kureyon, but I wanted black fuzzy ones, so I substituted. At first I tried with just a strand of Fluff, but it was way too thin and floppy, not anywhere near gauge (too small), even though the label says it should be knit on size 10 needles and I was using size 7. So I added a strand of sport weight Microspun and it worked perfectly.


I will be knitting this pattern again. I've already bought the yarn, though I intend to remove the weird little purl column that goes up the outside of the thumb. I can think of no reason why that couldn't be a knit.

There is irony here. Today it is so warm that I am seriously thinking about turning on the air conditioner. We're having a heat wave that is rather unusual for this time of year. I probably won't need the mitts tomorrow. Urg.

I finished the first sleeve on the Navy textured pullover.
 

It's one of those pick up at the armhole and knit toward the cuff kind of sleeves.


There is a part of me that wishes I'd reversed the order the 3 stitch patterns are in so it isn't upside down from the body when the arm hangs down. That is the way it should be done, but oh well. 20/20 hindsite and all that. I was just following the directions and didn't even think about it. I plan to take this with me tomorrow and work on sleeve two.

I have a new wireless mouse. It's purple. I really like it. It has this cool feature where I can click on the scroll button and a little magnifier appears on the screen for those occasions when my old eyes just can't see what's on the screen. I won't let Tommy break this one.


Live long and prosper. \\//





2 comments:

  1. Have fun at the 10th annual Parktoberfest! And enjoy the last few warm days of 2010. We're expecting a cold, rainy weekend here.

    Love the mitts. And that sweater is very nice. I'm amazed you can drink and knit. One drink for me and my knitting is impossible.

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  2. I don't knit when drunk. Never mix knitting with drunkeness. A disaster, guarenteed! I knit first, then I drink.

    Actually, this year I had every intention of getting drunk but I didn't. I was eating too much of the fabulous food and having too much fun to think about drinking. I'm just not one of those heavy drinker types. I get too interested in whats going on. Besides, I had my knitting with me. Oh yes, and my trusty jug of cherry limeade Crystal Light. Yum.

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