January 13, 2009

Smockies




Finally a successfully finished project! I was so determined to avoid the second mitten syndrome, that I cast on for the second one immediately after the first one was finished, and more than just enjoying the knitting I just wanted to get them finished. Now I have regained my faith in my knitting.

This is a free pattern called Smockies , and the main reason I wanted to make them was the beads and the way they were used to create a surface pattern. This is actually the first time I've used beads on a completed project. Another reason I wanted to knit this pattern was that it was finally a good reason to use some of the DROPS Alpaca I have that I've acquired in several different colors but, again, never used on a finished item. The needles I used were bamboo DPNs in size 2.5 mm. 

The modifications I made were changing the ribbing on the cuff to 2 x 2 instead of 1 x 1, because with my relatively loose tension and drapy alpaca yarn the ribbing just wasn't springy enough. I also made the section after the thumb hole 5 cm instead of 6 cm long, and the thumb is also slightly shorter than suggested.

Taking decent pictures in the daylight we have this time of year late in the afternoon was a challenge.

3 comments:

  1. Wow! These are fabulous, and the beads make the design so elegant.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lovely mitts! The colour and beads look terrific!

    ReplyDelete
  3. love them. the beads make it so special. i have been looking for an inspired knit, think i just found it.

    ReplyDelete