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.
It's a lovely mitten! This technique is next on my list, right after I actually manage to knit a sock.
Posted by: Anina | November 14, 2007 at 10:42 AM
The mitten looks swell. Good save!
& they actually make graphed index cards, which are handy.
Posted by: Melanie | November 14, 2007 at 11:20 AM
Oh it is so pretty!
Posted by: Michelle | November 14, 2007 at 12:36 PM
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...
Posted by: katie | November 14, 2007 at 12:37 PM
A perfect addition! Good work.
Posted by: margene | November 14, 2007 at 01:54 PM
oh my stars this is so pretty it makes my head spin! i can NOT imagine knitting up something like that. truly beautiful jan.
Posted by: susan | November 14, 2007 at 03:15 PM
Nice work! I'll trade you a stripey scarf for a pair of mittens!
Posted by: molly! | November 14, 2007 at 05:00 PM
Pretty mitten! And those cards are very cool. Who knew?
Posted by: Chris | November 14, 2007 at 06:24 PM
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.
Posted by: Mariko | November 14, 2007 at 09:12 PM
oh i love the colors. good job there, girlie.
i had the hardest with knitting which is why i have *almost* given it up....
Posted by: christina(apronstrings) | November 14, 2007 at 11:54 PM
They are quite beautiful! Not enough to pique me into trying them but beautiful and good for you for sticking with it.
Posted by: Geri Barr | November 15, 2007 at 07:20 AM
wow!! I's all greek to me... but thanks for adding the nice chunk O' cheddar!!!Just gorgeous!!!
Posted by: Schnoobie | November 15, 2007 at 01:55 PM
It looks wonderful!
Posted by: Kristin | November 15, 2007 at 10:11 PM
it looks great and im glad to hear that you havent given up because i cant wait to see your finish.
Posted by: sammyjo | November 16, 2007 at 07:03 AM
I must say I love those colors together!
Posted by: Caron | November 16, 2007 at 11:39 AM
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.
Posted by: Kathie | November 16, 2007 at 04:49 PM
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!
Posted by: aurora fox | November 18, 2007 at 07:14 PM
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.
Posted by: kathy | November 21, 2007 at 05:34 PM
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
Posted by: Bev Q | November 22, 2007 at 10:31 AM
The prettiest mitten ever!
Posted by: mary jane | November 26, 2007 at 08:23 PM
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 ;)
Posted by: Ann | December 01, 2007 at 03:57 AM