Since I had finished up the Milkweed Shawl, I also cast on for another stash-buster project on our travels to and from Texas to get the horses picked up. These aren't the best easy knitting project, as I do need to follow a chart pretty closely, so I think my next project on the needles that isn't a design-in-progress will need to be something that requires less mental effort.
At any rate, I dug deep into the stash - I think this kit is around 5 years old? Ish? It's a pair of colorwork mittens from Blackberry Ridge Woolen Mill, a pretty pair from their sportweight wool/mohair yarn blend. The kit came with the pattern and the preselected color choice. I finished up one of the mitten pair last Friday sitting with my IV running.
The pattern is Blackberry Mittens and they are a fairly quick knit on size 3 US needles despite the colorwork. I like the design a lot - I find it quite pretty, but I don't care for the thumb shaping at all. I have a very deep thumb joint, and these don't sit down in the bend of my thumb very snugly. If I were to make them again, I think I'd probably modify the thumb increases/shaping, but they ARE nice and warm with the colorwork, so I think I will probably finish them up and pop them into the give-away box.
I've got the cuff knit on mitten #2 and I'm going to work on getting the second one mostly, if not totally done this week.
I've also gotten the big project of the 3 I'm working on for the April Ennea magazine edition finished (just need to finalize the pattern), but I am trying to keep a sort of clean slate as I'm going to be also test-knitting for another designer, and her project is also a larger-sized one. I have a couple of other smaller designs for April also in the works, but while I have a wicked case of startitis right now, I am trying not to put too many things on the needles that I will likely not have time to work on in the near future with any sort of focus. It makes me wonder if startitis and spring fever are first cousins in some way.
All for now......
The stash busting is addictive! I'm working through my stash, as you know, and have found stuff I've spun from stuff you've sent over the years. Remember that lovely rambo fleece we split years ago? I need to do something with it...
Posted by: Cathy | March 02, 2011 at 06:32 AM
Startitis and spring are siblings! Ennui is a first cousin. I'm hoping to catch up with startitis soon!
LOVE the mitten. I've always loved that mitten. Someday I need to knit that mitten!
Posted by: margene | March 02, 2011 at 06:49 AM
I love those colours! MAkes me think of ice-cream with blackberries!
Posted by: Samantha | March 02, 2011 at 06:59 AM
very pretty mitts!
Posted by: StephCat | March 02, 2011 at 07:10 AM
Very nice mittens, but I agree with you on the thumb shaping. I also agree on the spring=startitis theory. I think I cast on close to 20 projects between March and May last year. Guess what? I'm trying to finish them this year. Oy...
Posted by: Laurie | March 02, 2011 at 07:47 AM
Beautiful mittens! I am starting similar (Norwegian snowflake) mittens in the same colors and gauge, nice cheerful colors to perk up my charcoal grey coat at the end of winter.
Fargo and Zel are such handsome fellas, Arabians have such grace and spirit. I'm sure they will fit right in with Sam and Behn. Hope you are feeling well and out riding soon!
Posted by: Julia G | March 02, 2011 at 07:53 AM
They are stunning - and I'm sure that someone would love them!
:) Just in case.
Posted by: Christina Scovel | March 02, 2011 at 07:58 AM
Too bad they don't fit better - they're really pretty.
Posted by: Cheryl S. | March 02, 2011 at 08:44 AM
I have this kit in my stash as well. In fact, I believe I bought it after seeing it on your blog. One of these days I'll feel ambitious and give the pattern a try. :)
Posted by: Toby | March 02, 2011 at 08:55 AM
I have only attempted a Latvian Braid once and, admittedly it was during a 3-hour class at STITCHES and we were exploring other techniques, but I consider them Evil Incarnate. They are completely counter-intuitive for me. And here you go, throwing them in my face! :D
Posted by: Marji | March 02, 2011 at 09:36 AM