Sunday, September 16, 2012

Year of Projects 2: Merike's Gloves 01

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

The patterning of these gloves is worked with Vikkel stitches which are tiny pairs of stitches crossed to create traveling patterns of zigzags and diamonds. I've done them before on another Nancy Bush pattern - Estonian Traveler's Stockings from Knitting on The Road. Somehow or another they feel easier this time. Maybe because this yarn is less splitty? Or maybe because with these Blackthorn carbon fiber needles I can knit without fear of snapping them?

After a couple of hours of knitting time here and there over the last few days, the cuff of the left glove is done as well as most of the thumb gusset. I'm adding almost half an inch to the gusset length as I'm guessing that the woman for whom these are intended has almost as large hands as mine. Not bad progress so far, but I suspect that the fingers are going to be fiddly. More than one Raveller has noted that they adjusted the stitch counts for the fingers to thin them down. I guess I'd better plan on some lifelines until see how it works out for me as written. With this much time and effort invested I want them to be perfect!

13 comments:

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

Gorgeous! I would love to be able to knit like that some day....practice, practice, practice! That is a beautiful pattern for gloves. I also love your yarn choice...I too have big hands or rather long fingers. It's amazing how many talented people are in this group! Good luck!

Jen said...

Gorgeous gloves! Can't wait to see your progress on these.

Anonymous said...

They are beautiful.

Wanderingcatstudio said...

I've only made a pair of fully-fingered gloves once.. I much prefer knitting fingerless! Your look lovely! Nice colour too!

Andria said...

Gorgeous! You are so skilled.

Unknown said...

I love how you use so many stitches I have never heard of...I just kkeep adding them to my list! I don't know if I'll ever become accomplished at them..but it's a great reference..

Keri said...

Those are going to be stunning and I love the colour.

Marie/Underground Crafter said...

Great color! These are stunning so far. The lifelines sound like a good idea.

Stefanie said...

Oh wow, the intricacy of the sts is amazing.

kate said...

That is so pretty. I love your almost clinical needles and the stitch markers too.

* said...

Love them...I like the red you've chosen perfect for gloves and to show off the detail.....I feel sick at h though of having to rip back that beautiful knitting to get the size spot on, I'm such a wuss!

RobinBrz said...

Such intricate pretty stitching! I'm sure they are going to be wonderful. Maybe they're feeling easier just because you've done the stitch before?? Great color yarn by the way!

Emma (GirlAnachronismE) said...

Those cables are beautiful. I'm doing a sock with cables like that, and I know how much work they are, so I hope it all works out easily for you and there's no frogging!