Sunday, November 25, 2012

Year of Projects: Merike's Gloves


Folk Knitting in Estonia: Aino's Gloves • Anu's Christmas Gloves • Anu's Mittens • Anu's Stockings • Avo's Mittens • Ellen's Stockings • Helgi's Mittens • Hilja's Mittens • Ilmar's Socks • Juta's Stockings • Kalev's Mittens • Kristi's Mittens • Laila's Socks • Landra's Gloves • Liidia's Gloves • Liivi's Stockings • Maarja's Socks • Maimu's Mittens • Marko's Mittens • Meida's Mittens • Merike's Gloves • Rita's Stockings • Sander's Mittens • Tiit's Socks • Ulla's Gloves • Virve's Stockings

On Friday I posted my finished picture for Helgi's Mittens. Despite a false start and new yarn choices, all's well that ends well. There was one more project finished by Friday, but I've saved that post for today. Finally, here are Merike's Gloves finished. I cast these on in mid-September so they've been on the needles for almost two months; that's an awfully long time for me. As you can imagine I'm pretty happy to have them done.

Following the suggestions of other Ravelers in their project notes I thinned each finger by a couple of stitches to make them less "sausage-y". It was the right thing to do because now they fit beautifully. I also lengthened the distance from the end of the cuff to the beginning of the thumb gusset by a handful of rows, which was totally unnecessary. Now my cuff is longer than it needed to be, but that's still okay. I love the way one section of the vikkel stitch patterns travels up each finger and thumb - the pattern is really well thought out!

For yarn I used Loopy Ewe Solid Series. It's okay but the yarn is not as soft and smooth as I'd like and it was quite annoyingly splitty to work with. I'm hoping that the gloves will soften up with a soak in Eucalan. Fingers crossed. The great thing about the Loopy Ewe Solid Series Yarn is the wide range of solid colours but it won't be my first choice otherwise.

At some point in the coming week I'll be casting on for Sander's Mittens. I've picked up some really bright colours of superwash baby wool from my stash, so it'll be a test of my nerves. These colours are really outside my comfort zone, which probably explains why they remain in my stash. Over the next few weeks, though, I do expect that work on my Year of Projects will slow. Christmas is coming and that's a whole different set of priorities.

12 comments:

laydilyke said...

Lovely gloves. Great work, jealous. LOL

Unknown said...

I love the bright solid red colour of these mitts, I'm sorry to hear how splitty the yarn is and I hope they do soften up for you. I love the look of the Sanders mittens and I can't wait to see what colours you've chosen to work them in. Christmas always brings with it a different set of knitting projects and best of luck with yours.

Thank you for your kind words, its not the first time I'v come across such trolls on the net and I'm sure it won't be the last its just annoying when you do as they taint what is fun.

Mona said...

The mittens look beautiful! And because of the last few posts I've seen about mittens that you have done, I'm looking into getting the book the mittens are from.

Stefanie said...

These mitts were meant to be in that holiday, poppin' red! They are gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

They are gorgeous! I love that beautiful red.

I don't think two months is very long for such a detailed project. Congrats on another great finish.

Caffeine Girl said...

Those are beautiful gloves. I'm impressed by anyone who has the patience for gloves.

I routinely lengthen the distance from cuff to thumb gusset when I make mittens. Maybe it's just my hands.

Sam I Am...... said...

Those are beautiful and look difficult to me but maybe someday I'll be ready. The color and pattern are simply lovely.

Unknown said...

Love them! Almost makes me want to cast on a pair. But then I look at those fingers and I remember and decline. LOL! Beautiful.

WildflowerWool said...

Wonderful gloves. I have saved the pattern :)

Marie/Underground Crafter said...

These look so great! It does sound like a well thought out pattern. That extra cuff length will probably come in handy when it is super cold.

Sarah ~ Crafts from the Cwtch said...

They are so lovely and oh so festive in that beautiful red!

Hope you have a great week
x

MagicalJane said...

Beautiful!