What a week. Between babying my newly-finicky computer, trying to learn the ins & outs of my new camera and hosting painters in the house, it's taken me a few days longer to get this post together than planned, but here I am, finally. With a finished mitten...ta-da! The good news? It's so pretty...I could look at it all day. The bad? It doesn't fit as I'd like, but it's pretty close. Close enough that I've made some adjustments to my proportions and have started on another.
The three main fit problems on the black mitten all are related to the thumb area. First, Latvian mittens are knit as a tube...very easy, little shaping necessary...but the thumbs are knitted in without gussets. Therefore, when planning the width of *the tube*, consideration needs to be given to the measurement across the palm and the lower thumb joint, not just the palm. I wish I could illustrate the slight stress at that area but the mitten's too dark to capture the snugness there. Suffice it to say, it's wearable, but uncomfortably tight across the lower hand at the lower thumb. The black mitten was knitted on 66 stitches, size #0 dpns with Finullgarn yarn. On my new mitten, I changed the number of stitches to 72, just 6 more, but you should be able to see the difference in the photo above.
The second thumb problem was that I inserted it too high for my taste. I didn't want the cuff to extend quite so long on my arm but when I was deciding where to place the thumb opening, I opted to put it at a natural break in the pattern in a one-color row. Again, it's hard to illustrate on the dark mitten so in the above photo, I've inserted a knitting needle at its base. The thumb opening is 6 rows lower on the new mitten (closer to the cuff.) Problem #3 is minor, but worth mentioning. The actual thumb is a little snug, too. I used a 13 stitch opening with 2 stitches picked up on each end (13+2+13+2) but on my new mitten, I put 15 stitches on hold. The carried yarn on the backside of the patterning adds to mitten's thickness, which because of its relative small size, impacts the thumb area more so.
One positive surprise in these mittens, however, is the comfortable fit of the thumb considering the lack of a gusset. Aside from my sizing issues, the addition of those picked-up side stitches on the thumb (which are knitted together after a few rows) add to its shaping and I'm pleasantly surprised at how nice it looks and feels. When photographed, these thumbs look flat and kind of primitive, but not so on the hand.
So, does my new mitten look familiar? The piece on the right was my initial effort in this type of knitting when I plunged into this in December. Of course, I unwittingly chose one of the more difficult patterns...5 colors and many 3-color rows. Additionally, I had been so confused by the many options in the Upitis book that I decided to just pick a pattern, cast on and see what developed. This particular pattern called for an 84 stitch cast-on, which of course, was huge for my hand, but I was having fun with watching the pattern develop so I forged on.
After knitting the black mitten, I decided to reformat the design to eliminate 3-color rows (best left for more experienced knitters...maybe next pair!) and chose a different red/white pattern for the wrist which would look better, visually, on my smaller mitten. I have lots of tips for how to switch out designs and how to figure that math so that patterns repeat around the mitten and don't come to a dead stop, but I don't know how many of you would be interested in that. If you are, let me know and I'll write about it.
I still can't believe how long it took me to try these mittens. They look intimidating but if you're willing to go through a little trial and error, they're really pretty simple and give you a lot of creative bang for your time and effort. If they've been on your *someday* list, don't deny yourself the fun! I can hardly put them down for wanting to see what a few more rows will look like.
The weather here in the heartland over the past few days has been downright frightening. Changing from moment to moment, it's dark/it's sunny, it's warm/it's freezing, it's pouring rain, pounding, pounding against the windows/it's suddenly as still as can be. I know it's been like this for many in the US in recent days. I hope that you all are safe and sound as this system takes its toll across the country this week.
I love all your Latvian mittens. If you keep going you'll have a pair to go with every outfit. :-)
Posted by: Anina | February 06, 2008 at 03:22 PM
You are just cranking along! There's a group of elderly Latvian ladies around here who get together and knit mittens every week - some of the things I've seen from them are amazing.
Posted by: Chris | February 06, 2008 at 04:50 PM
Beautiful! You got me going on this, they really are fun, I have kept going to just watch the patterns form. I only hope it fits in the end. Yes, I'd love for you to write about making it and your tips.I,for one, need all the help I can get.I just ordered a bit of yarn from Nordic Fiber Arts, she has really quick service. Beautiful colors. I see many more mittens in my future!
Posted by: Wendy | February 06, 2008 at 05:56 PM
I'm awestruck by the black mitten! And, you made my day! http://laurieg63.blogspot.com/ to see what it's all about.
Posted by: LaurieG | February 06, 2008 at 09:59 PM
Those patterns! All that color! What a visual treat...
Posted by: KathieB | February 07, 2008 at 09:41 AM
they are gorgeous! thank you for the pictures, they brightened my morning. :)
I love the Upitis books -- it's inspirational!
Posted by: jess | February 07, 2008 at 10:37 AM
I have to join in with the others to say, "What beautiful work!" All three patterns are stunning. What fun it has been to watch you work through this project. I hope you do add more tips. You've just about convinced me to give Latvian mittens a try. A few more words from you and I can see myself falling into the Latvian mitten stream. Your work is definitely inspiring (as always).
Posted by: Heather | February 07, 2008 at 06:23 PM
They are just so beautiful...no wonder you want to make more :) Hope you sorted that thumb issue out!
Posted by: Cascade Lily | February 08, 2008 at 04:37 AM
wow they look great i love all the pattern and im sorry to hear the thumb is causing you some trouble but i know you'll sort it out lol. they really do look fab!
Posted by: sammyjo | February 08, 2008 at 08:06 AM
Oh, how beautiful! The black one is awesome, but I simply love the orange mitten.
Posted by: Anna | February 08, 2008 at 09:03 AM
Hallo from Berlin/Germany!
I can honestly say that you have made my day, because I wanted to knit such mittens for a very long time - and had no idea of how to get started. i find it very easy now after you have explained it so well with words and pictures and I am looking forward for your "pattern-maths"!!! Thank you very much, it was a great help!
Ulrike
Posted by: ulrike | February 09, 2008 at 12:08 PM
They are georgeous! I'd be in love to if I'd made them! So beautiful, specially the rose one - magic!
Posted by: iHanna | February 10, 2008 at 10:33 AM
i bookmarked this post ... so, if you do feel like talking more about the technical aspects of mittens, i am hear to read!
i have trouble with colorwork. especially when changing needles and stranding ... maintaining even tension.
i love the look of colorwork, but i might have to rely on my variegated yarns a bit longer ....
i do love the mittens! i can see a wall of single mittens! (and, on the opposite wall, all the single sockens)
=)
Posted by: gray la gran | February 10, 2008 at 02:07 PM
Just Beautiful! Thanks for all the tips.
Posted by: DeDe | February 12, 2008 at 03:18 PM