Claire Glovelettes

You will need  5 x 2.5mm dpns or 2.5mm circular needle, 3 markers, 40g of sock yarn (approx. 160 meters for a pair)

To fit palm circumference of 8” or 20cms, measured above the thumb joint

Gauge: 28 sts x 32 rows in stocking stitch over 10cms x 10 cms

M1: pick up the bar between the worked stitch and next stitch, and knit into the back of it. This method avoids holes in the work.

1

Cuff:

Using a stretchy cast on, cast on 60 stitches and put 20 stitches on each dpn. If you like, place a marker after the first stitch so you know when the start of each round is. This also helps  line up the rib at the top of the mitten.

Rib pattern: K3, p2, repeat until end of round

Work 30 rounds in rib.

Thumb gusset of mitten:

Row 1: Knit 21, place marker, M1, place marker, knit to end of round

Row 2: knit

Row 3: knit 21, slip marker, M1, k1, M1, slip marker, knit to end of round

Row 4: knit

Row 5: knit 21, slip marker, M1, k3, M1, slip marker, knit to end of round

Row 6: knit

Row 7: knit 21, slip marker, M1, k5, M1, slip marker, k1. Place the remaining stitches on another dpn to accommodate the increasing thumb gusset stitches, knit to end.

Continue in this way, on 4 needles, until there are 23 stitches between the markers. 24 rounds should have been completed.

Body of Mitten:

Row 25: knit 21 sts, remove marker, place 23 stitches between the markers on a piece of contrasting yarn, remove marker, knit to end. There should be 60 stitches now, which can be put back onto 3 dpns again.

Knit 10 further rows (35 rows from end of rib)

Then work 10 rows in the rib pattern as before. Cast off in rib, picking up the two loops of the first stitch cast off, to cast off the last stitch. This avoids a hole in the last cast off stitch. Break yarn.

Thumb:

Re-join the yarn at the base of the thumb, leaving a tail of about 10” for closing any holes formed when picking up 2 stitches.

Pick up 10 stitches from the contrasting yarn onto the 1st dpn, then 5 stitches onto the 2^nd dpn, then the remaining 8 stitches onto the 3^rd dpn, pick up two stitches from the gap at the base of the thumb, making 10 sts on the 3^rd dpn. Work 6 rows k3,p2 rib. Cast off using the method stated on the mitten body section.

Sew in ends.

2

Experiments in Spinning

I have been having problems learning to ply. At least, thats what I thought. As you can see from the sample below, I wasnt producing yarn, I was producing string. Hard, scratchy string with no drape. It was balanced, it hung correctly. But it was string.

So I went to Woolfest and asked several people how to ply. The spinners were their usual generous selves, and gave me the benefit of their experience. They allowed me to watch them ply, and one spinner even allowed me to have a go on her wheel.

Then I came home, did everything suggested to me, and produced the above sample. Misery and frustration ensued. I rang a friend to have a moan and she simply asked "Have you checked your singles? You may be over spinning them"

So I unspun some of the singles until they had about a third of the twist I usually put in, and then plied them half as much as I would usually do. As the above result shows, it was an improvement, but it was too loosely spun and came adrift in places.

Finally I spun these last singles. I used my medium whorl (about 11 ratio) and did 2 treadles for each 3-4" draft. Then I plied it with 2/3rds as much twist as I had put in the singles. Result!!!!  Soft yarn, gentle drape, balanced and just enough twist. Moral of this story? Dont assume anything and experiment, going back to the beginning.

It sounds like the Golidlocks story, but with yarn LOL

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Finally, this is my newly finished Wingspan shawl. I used 4mm needles and Kauni effect yarn to make it bigger.

A Bit More Making : )

 I finished some gloves for my friend Adrian. He has slim hands but long fingers, so he is thrilled to be getting some made-to-measure gloves.

And Mr Spin-a-yarn (DH) has knitted me this scarf. It is sock yarn, on 3mm needles with a garter stitch border all round and it is 6' long. I am very, very happy with it.

Flowering Cactus

Every year our Cactus flowers. It flowers for just 48 hours, then its over for the year. Enjoy : )

I Have Been Making

 I got around to plying these Shetland singles. It is approx 270 yards long and DK weight. The skein weighs about 80g

Then I plied my Merino singles. This skein weighs 90g and is 470 yards long, so approx 4 ply weight. I already have a matching skein, so enough for a shawl. The yarn was custom dyed for me by Freyalyn

And lastly, I finished a cardigan for my beautiful granddaughter. The yarn is Stylecraft Life DK and the pattern is Heidi from the book  "A Princess Tale #3198" by Patons. I adapted the pattern to suit myself. The details of my changes are here

Stuff Wot I Have Been Doing : )

 Firstly, my wonderful Eldest daughter has become a Biker. I am so proud of her achievement and courage to learn to ride a bike. And, to show my pride, I refer to her a Baby Darth Vader, when she is wearing her outfit.

Secondly, DH and I decided to do our first woolly show at Shipston Wool Fair last month. It was a great experience, very tiring and a steep learning curve. We were supported in our efforts by The Yarn Cafe, who let us share their stall, and were fantastic.

 Finally, I finished a new cardigan for my grand-daughter.

We've Been to Wales!!!

We went to Wales for a week, just me and Dearest Hubby. We left the sprog behind for the first time. He is nearly 18 years old, so he is safe to leave. Above are some Water Buffalo we found grazing in an RSPB nature reserve. We went there to look at the Ospreys. They were fantastic!!!  It was here: http://www.montwt.co.uk/dyfiospreys.html

I asked a keen twitcher about the migratory pattern of the water buffaloes and where to spot their nests, but my attempt at humour fell flat. They do take their bird watching very seriously......

 While we were there, we almost bought a cottage. Just look at the view!!! But we resisted bravely and took photos instead. Tantric shopping is such fun : )