It's undeniably colder this week, and the boys are beginning to baulk at having to wear their uniform shorts to school. Thankfully, half term marks the point beyond which long trousers are acceptable attire, so their knees should be warmer shortly.
Chilly knees are not really an issue for me, but I loathe having cold hands, so as soon as Autumn hits in earnest, there is always a pair of gloves or two about my person. And since I lerned to knit, these have often been Toasty mitts. They are the perfect simple pattern - incredibly straightforward and forgiving of almost any yarn substitution I have thrown at them.
But I had a hankering to extend my mitten knitting repertoire, and Fetching mitts have been in my knitting queue for a considerable time. When I rummaged through the stash, there were two balls of Cashmerino Chunky. And so I cast on, and got to grips with my very first cables.
I'm pretty pleased with them (though I might modify the thumb if I knit them again). Small projects are perfect for trying a new technique - because I'm all about knitting instant gratification. And these proved cables are as easy as everyone told me they were. A couple of evenings and a quick visit to the new 'needles and natter' group at Rosie's Tea Room, which I've been enjoying and they were off the needles and wrapped up ready to post off to a friend. And I'm thinking another pair to keep is definitely on the cards. Unless there's another great pattern you know of that I really should try.
Oh they look fab! And so glad you found a good knitting group :) I better start working on some mitts now too--brrr!
K x
Posted by: kristina | 18 October 2011 at 21:16
Very wise to knit gloves - these mornings are chilly now. I like the look of Rosie's: what a find!
Posted by: Louise | 18 October 2011 at 21:46
These look very cozy - and well done for expanding your repetoire, cables are on my list to conquer soon too!
Posted by: lina | 18 October 2011 at 22:08
They look lovely! (I must learn to knit, I must learn to knit, I must learn to knit....)
Posted by: Thrifty Household | 18 October 2011 at 22:16
Gorgeous colour, they looks so soft. I have made a few pairs of them - I love them.
Posted by: Kate | 19 October 2011 at 00:15
They look fantastic! I'm impressed that you were able to gift them. The first hat I knit was supposed to be a present, but I ended up keeping it. :)
x Katherine
Posted by: Katherine of Kitten's Lost Her Mittens | 19 October 2011 at 06:07
They look lovely! I knitted them a while ago for my niece and found they came up very small. Not keen on the thumb either - but Maine Morning Mitts have a great thumb gusset, and are easily modified to add cables..... mmmm, I'm giving myself an idea!
Posted by: Pebbledash | 19 October 2011 at 09:03
I love them and have added them to my list but want to know what the problem is with the thumb...too small maybe or something else? x
Posted by: Pipany | 19 October 2011 at 09:38
oooh those cables are lovely. I am learning cables at the moment and knitting these mitts
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mitt-envy
the gusset is good, I haven't finished the thumbs yet, but so far so good. x
Posted by: driftwood | 19 October 2011 at 09:42
They look lovely! Congrats!
I have 2 patterns that I have already made to recommend you:
1. Endpaper Mitts:
(http://www.eunnyjang.com/knit/2006/11/endpaper_mitts.html)
It is a free colorwork pattern, but don't let the colorwork frighten you! If I was able to finish a pair even though I hadn't knit in over 3 years and never in the round, with a little patience and perseverance you will be OK!
2. Aran Gauntlets:
(http://www.vogueknitting.com/free_patterns/aran_gauntlets.aspx)
It's a pattern from Vogue Knitting, that you can download with registering. They are also quite easy and really stunning. I've made 2 pairs, one for me and one for my Mom.
Both patterns, highly recommendable! All you have to do is google "fingerless gloves/mittens" and you will find tons of stunning patterns! But, I have to warn you...they are addictive!
Happy knitting!
Posted by: Liz | 19 October 2011 at 10:28
Very cosy, and I love the colour :D Lucky friend!
Posted by: Annie | 19 October 2011 at 11:14
Lovely gloves! I need to make some more typing gloves, I lost one from my last pair, very sad. I'll be checking out some of these links people are posting. :)
Posted by: Anna | 19 October 2011 at 13:11
very very fetching! (and toasty too no doubt)
I bought mittens in Stockholm. the husband said they look like golf club thingies... but what does he know? eh???
Posted by: Monica | 19 October 2011 at 14:17
Super cute!
I keep getting fooled by the bright sunshine and heading out hatless. Time to rummage through the big pile of knitwear and move some of it nearer the door... and then through the door...
Posted by: mooncalfmakes | 19 October 2011 at 15:47
Next stop Kristina's cable throw. You know you want to.
Posted by: Alice C | 19 October 2011 at 23:56
I have a friend on Ravelry who has recently posted this free pattern for a great pair of mitts. They are simple, easily adaptable, and have a brilliant thumb gusset that looks really neat and tidy. I've just finished a pair and love them! http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/graffiti-on-the-metro
Posted by: Wendy | 20 October 2011 at 12:23
Oooh I love them! Just gorgeous - and I'm planning to switch from socks to mittens for a little while, so they may well be a pattern I could try out. Love the colour too!
Posted by: Helen in Switzerland | 20 October 2011 at 21:57
Gorgeous! Especially your version xx
Posted by: Helen King | 21 October 2011 at 07:51
For the men in your life, you might check out the Dashing (I'm pretty sure that's the name) version. . . Made a pair for a gift swap and the recipient was very happy with them!
Posted by: Rebecca | 21 October 2011 at 23:44
My confidence is boosted by the news that cables don't kill you.
Posted by: The Coffee Lady | 22 October 2011 at 08:49
Ooh - and what yarn substitions, out of curiosity, have you tried?
Posted by: The Coffee Lady | 22 October 2011 at 08:52
What beautiful mittens Ali! I need to get out of my sock obsession so that I can knit myself some mitts before it gets really cold. Lucy x
Posted by: lucylocket | 27 October 2011 at 18:28
Cables are easy, aren't they? I remain unconvinced that this is a good project to first attempt them on, though. I remember double ended needles sticking out everywhere and adding a cable needle to the mix just made it seem more menacing.
Posted by: UK lass in US | 29 October 2011 at 15:17