Wine, roses, and gravy
Emily’s gift mitts are, at last, finished and have been sent to her with hugs, kisses, and best wishes for a happy and bright holiday season (and belated birthday).
But not before a few tasty photos were snapped:
Let’s review the specs, shall we?: Interweave Knits Winter Issue, Wine and Roses Mitts pattern by the marvelous JoLene, Colonial Rosewood DPNs in U.S. Size 1.5, and Jade Sapphire Mongolian Cashmere 2-ply in color Plum-Rose, approximately half the skein consumed, almost certainly enough left for another pair.
Artistic shot with sleeping dog:
Don’t worry, I let her lie.
I didn’t block the mitts, actually. I rather liked their more textured, kinda scrungly appearance (that is, compared to the sample, blocked mitts in IK). I hope that Emily agrees.
I like this pattern and the product so much that I have started a second pair in red for myself, although this time I am doing the cuff and the hand parts on two circular needles, the way I invariably knit socks. My relationship with DPNs has always been a troubled one, and I’ve decided once and for all that it just wasn’t working out between us.
There remains the nagging prospect of the thumb, however.
But we will cross that double-pointed bridge when we come to it.
Due to the Dickensian conditions in our home, however, which I’ve discussed in painful detail previously, I’ll do anything to get those mitts finished—including working with DPNs—because I need something to wear in the house to keep my fingers joints from seizing up in the cold.
The cold, that is, inside the house.
I try to remind myself many, many times a day that we are doing our bit to save the environment through these energy conservation strategies, even though that is only incidental and the truth is that, as graduate students, we are so poor that we’d have to eat kibble along with Shelley all winter if we turned the heat up over our agreed-upon 55 degrees at night (or when we are out of the house)/60 degrees during the day.
There is some heartening news, however. Those of you who were sentient at the time may recall the charming Alpo commercials from the 1970s in which they helpfully pointed out that if you add water, kibble will “make its own gravy!”
Mmm, gravy!
December 6th, 2006 at 12:12 pm
The mitts look great! I love the color.
I read in “New Scientist” magazine recently that one reason modern cultures weigh more than our ancestors is because the ambient temperature is so comfortable. It takes more energy to live in a too cold or too hot environment. So maybe you can “drop a dress size” 😉
December 6th, 2006 at 2:19 pm
Ohmy. So beautiful! I really love the unblocked look, Ellen. The texture is definitely prettier. They look great against Shelley’s fur, too! (Just watch out for Zeno while you’re wearing yours. I can imagine the thoughts. “Hmm. She’s got furry stuff on her paws. I wonder…if I just flick out a paw…”) I’m with you on the 2 circs method, and for the thumb – what about the i-cord method for fingers and thumbs, where after you knit them in i-cord, you hook up the loose section with a crochet hook? Isn’t that an EZ unvention? I can’t remember where I saw it, but it sure sounded like a nifty alternative if 2 circs were too long for such a small tube. Frankly, I can’t imagine doing a thumb on dpns. Gaaahhh! Points everywhere! Hats off to anyone who manages it.
Gee, I was going to double it and use it for sock yarn, but you know, I have a big skein of KnitPicks Bare laceweight merino, undyed, 880 yards…and dyes should get here tomorrow… [eg] That’d be a lot of mitts!
December 6th, 2006 at 2:51 pm
Hi Ellen! Just found your blog from Tope’s link, and those fingerless mitts are GORGEOUS! Anyway I hope all is well with you… are you still going to the Somerville knitting group? I haven’t gone in months… since I moved into Boston over the summer, it’s hard to convince myself to take the train all the way out there. Hopefully I’ll see you again at some point though!
December 6th, 2006 at 6:31 pm
I still think these look completely different – if I’d seen these in IK, I’d have bought the magazine! They are lovely, and I’m sure the pair you get to keep will keep your hands toasty warm! If not, move that dog just a bit closer.
December 7th, 2006 at 10:52 am
Lovely mitts, dear. Can’t wait to see the red pair, if you don’t succumb to hypothermia first. I see that you are living in the manner of our forefathers and mothers in Boston. I read once that the first settlers lived with deathly cold in their homes–no insulation. So knit much, stay close to fur and get out to places with heat as often as possible. If all else fails, burn the truck sitting in the driveway.
December 7th, 2006 at 2:27 pm
“If all else fails, burn the truck sitting in the driveway.”
::falls down in hysterics:: Ok, I think Lorinda gets the best comment award for the month! Brava, Lorinda!
Not to mention, wouldn’t that make a great sigline? Wish I’d come up with it, I’d use it in a story somewhere!
December 7th, 2006 at 10:30 pm
As a recently graduated ex-poor-graduate-student I have only one comment on the heat…balance the modest monetary savings against the monstrous monetary debts that would occur should someone get sick from being worn down due to constantly being cold. a suggestion to combat constant coldness too, block off all but one room in the house, warm that room to comfortable, and relax for an evening. this is easily achieved by hanging blankets across arches and doorways where there is no door…Good luck and keep warm!
BTW, The mitts are beautiful! I may have to make some for myself, it does occasionally get cold here in Texas.
December 14th, 2006 at 1:57 am
WooHoo! They look wonderful and the dog is a great back drop. We have two dogs ourselves. Have you and your sis done any knitting poetry lately? VBG. Hope they help you stay warm. I need to knit a pair for myself as our house is always a little too cool for me. But then, I freeze if it is less than 70.
Cheers!