Friday, January 10, 2014

Tardis mittens

I finished the second fingerless glove for the set that went to my daughter. Here they are.



This evening I finished the second of two additional gloves made for myself. As I said yesterday, I adjusted the pattern slightly because my hands are small. I decided to try making the white windows in hdc instead of dc since that section is what is above the thumb. Here is the result. (Thanks to my hubby who took the pictures and please ignore my ugly fingers.)





I love them! Still a little long for my fingers but I think they will be fine. I didn't want to change the hook size because the blue section fit my arm well. 

The color is sort of in between the pictures. It's not as light as the first pic but not quite as dark as the second and third pics. The yarn is I Love This Yarn royal. The pattern calls for 110 yards and there are 355 yards in my skein so I'm thinking you could get three pairs from one 7 oz skein of this particular yarn. Of course you need the white too. I used Vanna's Choice just because it is what I had on hand. It doesn't take that much white.

As I said yesterday, the pattern can be purchased from Carrissa Knox at either her Ravelry or Etsy shops.

Now my tips on working the pattern. First of all, chain 28, not 27 (unless she's corrected that this week). The pattern is written pretty clearly so really no need to expand on that very much. When you are working the windows, I suggest dropping the unused color to the back and bringing the working color to the front. That way any loose bits or things that show will be on the inside. I preferred to cut the white between the first and second sections for no particular reason.

The thumb area, as you can see, is quite sufficiently large and comfy. 

It is important that you do follow the instructions clearly and do those post stitches as that is what makes the divisions stand out. It's actually quite clever. Besides that, it makes the gloves nice and warm.

Happy crocheting!
Sandie

Monday, January 6, 2014

Mittens

Mittens/gloves are not really my thing, but over the years I've completed a few with more or less success. I don't remember what pattern was used for these blue ones but I think these are the ones I sent off to Sandy and she did the thumbs.



I believe this was a pattern I saw at The Bridge and Beyond at one time but I remember that pattern page was lost and had to be rebuilt. I don't see this pattern with the squared off top there now. I really didn't find it fit well anyway. It's entirely possible I didn't do it correctly. I think this was my first foray into mittens. I don't remember the designer. There are some other great patterns there now though. 



I THINK these are Red Heart pattern LW2017 Crochet Lace Fingerless Mitts  http://tinyurl.com/m7vmany 



Then there was the time I completed ONE mitten. This was a decorative thing, but I've always wished I'd have completed the other one. The above are long gone and I have no idea what pattern this is or where I got it.



This morning I finished another mitten. I do intend to make a second one. This one is a pattern I purchased on Ravelry. You can find it here http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crochet-fingerless-tardis-gloves .

Carissa did a nice job on this pattern. It's easy to understand. It is intermediate difficulty I think because it uses front post and back post stitches. The only problem I had with it was it gives a  foundation chain of 27. That should be 28 as the first row ends up with 28 stitches. Other than that, smooth sailing.


I think if I made another pair I would use sport yarn or otherwise adapt it as it was a little long for me. I have short fingers and short, fat arms! heh The mitten stretched fine over my arms and I think in its relaxed state would still fit a smaller person. 



I actually purchased two patterns. The other pattern that I purchased was also a TARDIS glove but after I purchased it I discovered that the mitten is made in small squares and assembled together. This was not noted in the description of the pattern so if you want to make one inquire first if the pattern is made in one piece if that matters to you. It did to me. I did write the designer and suggested she note that in the description.

What inspired me to make gloves? The unusual freezing weather we're having here in the New Orleans area. It is 32 right now. I know there are lots of places that are colder, but in THIS place I'M cold. LOL

Hopefully I'll get the other one made while it's still cold.

Happy crocheting!
Sandie

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Pretty Pink Afghan

I completed the pink afghan from the Project Linus pattern. The pattern itself is very easy. Simply (sc, ch 2, 2 dc) throughout. There isn't a lot of detail about the edging but easy enough to figure out with some finagling.

I was using Simply Soft yarn and, honestly, this is not my favorite yarn by any means. It's a light worsted, meaning if you are using a worsted pattern not intended specifically for this yarn, you'd best go up a hook or two and be sure to check gauge to get the desired size. It splits and is slippery, doesn't hold the tails in well. I have to say it is indeed soft though.

Sadly, I did not check gauge and that was a mistake. If I had, I would have increased the foundation and made it larger. Hindsight is 20/20. I worked two rounds of edging which did help. I would have done more but I hurt my shoulder this weekend somehow and have limited function.

I think it looks good though and I hope it will please the little miss for which it is intended.


 Here is a closeup. I greyscaled it because I thought you might be able to see the stitch better this way.


It's been just one thing and another here and I've not been spending as much time with my hook lately. Maybe the new year will be better.

Hope you and yours had a very Merry Christmas and that 2014 will bring you many blessings.

Happy crocheting!
Sandie