FO: Axel Mitts for moi
When I first learned to knit I excitedly realized I could make myself some pairs of fingerless gloves to stave off the perpetual freezing office chill. Had I actually made myself a single pair since then? Nope. Now with finally a slight nip in the air (well some days) here in Texas I decided it was high time I whipped up a pair.
I've had these in my queue for some time. They're the Axel Mitts by Blue Garter and are one quick knit. I like the folded over ribbing which can allow for either more dexterity or more warmth depending on what you're doing, cozy!
The pattern calls for bulky yarn (handspun used in sample) but I had a good portion of a left over skein of Blue Sky Alpacas Worsted Hand Dyes which always seemed more on the corpulent side. I have mentioned I'm a little compulsive about using left overs right? This skein is from the Newsboy Cap completed way back.
This is also why I love my digital kitchen scale. Not only is it great for its intended application (*heart* Alton's Brown's books and metric weight cooking!) but it let me know I had exactly 76 grams to work with. So I figured I'd knit the first glove, weighting it until it reached as close to 38g as possible and see if it would be enough. Can you believe it worked out just near perfect? It helped I seemed to have a larger row gauge than the original.
See how much I had left over? Less than 1g, it didn't even register on the scale. Awesome.
Comments
I love the mitts! I've been looking for a way to use some of my handspun, and those mitts may fit the bill.
Posted by: Jennifer | November 14, 2007 05:56 PM
Ha ha! I also hate leftovers, but I don't think I've ever been as industrious as you to ensure I don't have any. Great job! :)
Posted by: connie | November 14, 2007 06:07 PM
I love using up all the yarn. Great pattern - I have some bulky that I'm looking to do something with, and it can't hurt to have another pair of fingerless gloves! my office is like the Arctic!
Posted by: stacey | November 15, 2007 07:24 AM
Those are awesome- I may have to make a pair!
I bought a digital cooking scale just for weighing yarn- it comes in so handy for "leftovers" projects!
Posted by: Nichole D. | November 15, 2007 08:26 AM
and that little bit left over? makes for a great leader yarn in drop spindling!
Posted by: susan | November 15, 2007 10:21 AM
I've been reading this for a long time, I check in from time to time but I've never commented (I don't think).. But I
Posted by: Hanna | November 15, 2007 03:44 PM
They're beautiful - I love that cheerful blue! And I'm so glad you had exactly the right amount of yarn.
Posted by: Sarah | November 16, 2007 11:17 AM
Hey, lady! I hope you remember me from Yarn School. I slept in the bed beside you!
Your patterns are so lovely. After the holidays, I am definitely shopping.
Sorry it took me so long to check out your page. I got wrapped up in stuff at work as soon as I got back from Yarn School, but I saw your pattern on Knitty last night and had to hop over!
Shalom!
Posted by: Ginny | November 17, 2007 09:11 AM
Those are so pretty! And it's great that you can actually use them, too. I'd love to make some fingerless gloves, but they'd never see the light of day! So props for usefulness. : )
Posted by: sarah | November 27, 2007 08:31 AM
These are really cute! I'm gonna have to make a pair for me...it snowed here last night.
Posted by: Jenna | November 27, 2007 10:03 AM
LOL - I'm the same way about leftovers - good for you! The mitts look great. That was a good idea for the office. I have made I-don't-know-how-many pairs for other people, but I don't have a set myself yet. Maybe after the holidays!
Posted by: Carrie | November 29, 2007 06:33 AM
I just finished knitting these. They are a great knit. I used bulky yarn and after I was done I thought they might be a tad more comfortable with a lighter weight.
How satisfying to only have that wee little bit of yarn left! Perfect!
Posted by: SpiderWomanKnits | December 11, 2007 08:33 AM
Do you think I could make these out of one full skein of Blue Sky Alpacas Worsted Hand Dyes? You said you made them from a "good portion of a leftover skein" Did you end up needing more than that?
Posted by: Julie | January 22, 2008 09:39 AM
Also, what needles did you use? I love these and want to make them.
Posted by: Julie | January 22, 2008 09:44 AM