Summer sure is speeding by, isn't it? Last week was more crazy than lazy. (Hazy? Too distracted to notice.) Honestly, if I didn't have a heart attack last week, I never will. Just the recounting would get me started again, so instead I'll share the efforts of some *somewhat* relaxed knitting time on the porch.
After I made that first Norwegian mitten, my blue and white practice piece, I was pretty hot to get started on another pair before I lost the rhythm of my newly developed two-color knitting skills. I didn't really like the yarn I used though (Satakieli,) so I had been poking around shops and the internet looking for a worthy substitute in interesting colors. By this weekend, I still hadn't put my hands on what I wanted, so I just picked some red and white Satakieli from the stash and started knitting. I still don't care for it (it's a bit thready,) but I do love working on these, which are children's mittens, Annemor #5, from the Selbuvotter book. Aren't they charming? I did find a small error in the chart...only 9 stitches are shown to be saved for the thumb, contrary to the 11 indicated in the written instructions. I guessed wrong and went with the chart the first time, but after tinking back and holding the 11, the pattern fell together correctly and it was full speed ahead. I did email the author with my observation.
What did we do before Post-it notes?
I was surprised recently to receive some comments on my early Selbuvotter posts from Terri Shea, the author, who said that my blue and white mitten was the first she'd seen from her book patterns on the blogs. Come on, people, give them a try! They're so lovely and easy to knit. A very satisfying project for a summer's day on the porch. Even Sandy's thinking about mittens again!
I just posted on -- and started a Ravelry group for -- Knit Like A Latvian! Something about mittens is DEFINITELY in the air...
Posted by: Vicki | July 23, 2007 at 05:30 PM
I love the red and white version! Personally I tend to use quite untraditional colours, but once in a while, I return to basics. And red and white is certainly a basic for me. :-D
Posted by: Inga Helene | July 23, 2007 at 06:04 PM
I'm not a knitter but think your mittens are charming.
Posted by: Diane | July 23, 2007 at 06:21 PM
Oh, they are lovely! I'm not tempted to make those sorts of mittens, but I do admire them greatly when others knit them.
Posted by: Chris | July 23, 2007 at 06:25 PM
Your mittens are so pretty! I'm surprised to hear about the Satakieli. I've never used it but was planning to someday. I've successfully substituted Louet Gems Pearl (fingering) for a Nancy Bush mitten pattern that called for Satakieli. Not exactly traditional but washable and dryable!
Posted by: Janet | July 23, 2007 at 06:30 PM
Thank you for visiting my blog. I need to do some some research on the paper lanterns and will keep you posted. I had meant to give the link, but now, months later.. oh my...
Posted by: corine@hidden in france | July 23, 2007 at 09:22 PM
I wouldn't mind thready yarn if only I had a porch...!
Hope that porch knitting will Do you good, Jan.
The mittens will look so adorable - love the red and white colour combination!
Posted by: Alex | July 23, 2007 at 09:57 PM
i would, but unfortunately that is one art that is lost on me. i was knitted a scarf that was zigzagged...and not on purpose. oh and by the way, i have that same tablecloth. given to me by my grandmother and i think that it was her mother's. is yours vintage? what a coincidence!
Posted by: cindy | July 23, 2007 at 11:24 PM
Thankfully winter is whizzing by here! Gorgeous mitten Jan - fancy the author of the book spotting it!
Posted by: Lily | July 24, 2007 at 04:30 AM
Loving your red and white mitten! :) I do need to get that book. Perhaps one of the only mitten books out there that I don't have? Maybe..
Mitten knitting makes me happy. And I often forget that!
Enjoy!!
Posted by: sandy | July 24, 2007 at 08:40 AM
Neat! I def. want to give colorwork a try. I just keep wanting to wait until I'm less stressed out. (uh-oh, I guess that means I'll never get to it.)
Posted by: Scribbles & Bits | July 24, 2007 at 09:10 AM
that book is on my *wish list*, but it's temporarily unavailable from knitpicks at the moment (i keep waiting for all three books on the *wish list* to be available at the same time, for one order, one shipment).
so, in the meantime, i will have to admire your wonderful progress :)
i would love to try some of those yarns you are knitting with ... perhaps someday i will place an order to nancy bush's store for the 'real deal' in rustic wools!
Posted by: gray la gran | July 24, 2007 at 09:19 AM
I am working on mittens too! Stranding and all - I thought people would think I was crazy for summer mittens, but now we can both be "crazy", Jan! :) Yeah, post-its are so great.
Love the progress so far!
Posted by: Lolly | July 25, 2007 at 08:52 AM