Put down your needles and step away from the mitten

I thought I may have met my stranded knitting waterloo the other night, sitting in the midst of a nest of tangled yarn, all strands leading to the project in my hands.  Continuing into the body of the mitten, the long floats required by the new patterning were slowing me down and the more I knitted, the more I was losing my rhythm.  Arghh.  Why did I choose one of the most complicated designs to knit first?  I put it down and worked on squares for Kay.

I seriously contemplated stopping there at the cuff and knitting a plain stocking below for holiday use.  But it nagged at me.  I've been lusting over Latvian mittens for years and if I stopped on this project, I might lose my steam.  The next morning, another lightbulb moment in the shower...rechart the mitten body with a different, easier pattern.  (I'm going to electrocute myself in there one of these days!)  After poring over mitten pics, I found a small motif that actually was a repeat of the center of the snowflake in the cuff.  A few little mockup color studies later and I had decided on a simple, 8 square repeat.

Can you believe these great little graph cards M left on the kitchen counter this week?  Talk about timely!!  Much better than a floppy piece of paper to work from.  Something similar could be made by mounting graph paper onto a small piece of cardstock.  Or you could make friends with an engineer.

I couldn't wait to try the new plan.  I tore back several rows to the cuff pattern and started working from the new chart.  And promptly realized that despite its simplicity, it has the same long floats and three-color rows.  Sheesh. 

I, however, had benefited from some time away from the mitten while I puzzled out a solution, and picking it up with a new attitude made all the difference.  No problemo now!  And I like the new little pattern better than the original.

       

Comments

[Anina]

It's a lovely mitten! This technique is next on my list, right after I actually manage to knit a sock.

[Melanie]

The mitten looks swell. Good save!

& they actually make graphed index cards, which are handy.

[Michelle]

Oh it is so pretty!

[katie]

I am loving the colors in that mitten--wonder if there's anything in my Christmas todo list that I could use that combination in...

[margene]

A perfect addition! Good work.

[susan]

oh my stars this is so pretty it makes my head spin! i can NOT imagine knitting up something like that. truly beautiful jan.

[molly!]

Nice work! I'll trade you a stripey scarf for a pair of mittens!

[Chris]

Pretty mitten! And those cards are very cool. Who knew?

[Mariko]

Holy cow that is the most gorgeous thing I have ever seen! You are brave.

Had a great time with your lovely daughter. She is a really good egg.

[christina(apronstrings)]

oh i love the colors. good job there, girlie.
i had the hardest with knitting which is why i have *almost* given it up....

[Geri Barr]

They are quite beautiful! Not enough to pique me into trying them but beautiful and good for you for sticking with it.

[Schnoobie]

wow!! I's all greek to me... but thanks for adding the nice chunk O' cheddar!!!Just gorgeous!!!

[Kristin]

It looks wonderful!

[sammyjo]

it looks great and im glad to hear that you havent given up because i cant wait to see your finish.

[Caron]

I must say I love those colors together!

[Kathie]

These are gorgeous, cheddar and all. Those colors are tugging at me. So tempting, but I HAVE to stay on task: no new projects now.

[aurora fox]

these are lovely!--I miss making mittens--I now live in California where it rarely gets cold enough to need mittens----anyhow these are quite gorgeous--love the colors and pattern!

[kathy]

You are so talented! I love the colors and pattern of the design. I can't even imagine knitting something that complex. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

[Bev Q]

I am so impressed! These mittens are absolutely gorgeous! My mum used to make pretty things like that with charts. I am a pretty basic gal when it comes to knitting, but I love to see what others can do!

Bev
http://bevq.blogspot.com

[mary jane]

The prettiest mitten ever!

[Ann]

Gosh! It's so beautiful, and you are doing a great job. It must have been hard to change the course, the plan, and then it came out so right!
Let's exchange latvian pattern some time ;)