Instant Gratification Weekend

I didn't have as much knitting time this past week and it had a strange effect on me. Rather than wanting to buckle down and squeeze some time in on an existing project, I really wanted to start a quick, one skein project. I think the little bits of time on things like a sock just didn't feel like I was making much progress and it felt like my knitting time just disappeared. So I caved and ended up with these little beauties.

Pattern: Susie's Reading Mitts
Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Twist in Liquid Ambar
Needles: US 5 / 3.75 mm metal
Completed: January 17, 2010

I had a lot of knitting time during the Saturday family/football gathering, so I already had the first mitt and part of the second finished Saturday night.

Because the Twist yarn didn't have as much yardage as the pattern recommended, I made these about a half inch shorter in the hopes of making sure I would have enough yarn. I ended up with a small ball of yarn left over, but I'm not sure I would have made it with the extra half inch and they're plenty long on me as is anyway.

The pattern didn't specify a distinct cast on or bind off method, so I started with the Long Tail cast on and tried a standard *knit 2, pass first stitch over* bind off on the first mitt. I hadn't done a picot edge before so I wasn't sure what to expect. Turns out that bind off is a bit more restrictive and not as stretchy as it should be. So for the thumbs and the top of the 2nd mitt I did a *k2tog, slip stitch back to left needle* bind off and it’s much better. If I get ambitious enough I might rip out the picot top and rework the bind off on the first one to match the stretchier one (but that sounds awfully ambitious). They both fit - a bit loose, but comfy and soft - and the tighter top is mostly just noticeable when wearing them to type as it makes it harder to stretch out my fingers on that hand.

All in all, a nice, quick distraction and a chance to work with something other than sock yarn for bit. They've already followed me to work. But now I better get back to working on socks before the sock yarn mountain overtakes me!