Fingerless Mitts

Fingerless Mitts

Fingerless mitts.  What is their purpose?  If the office is too cold, they’ll help warm your hands and leave fingers free for the keyboard or paperwork.  If the bedroom is chilly, they’ll warm your palms and wrists while you read in bed.  Perhaps, they’re just for comfort or just for fun.

Whatever their purpose, I’m knitting fingerless mitts.  As with all my knitting projects, I follow a simple pattern and fingerless mitts are relatively easy.  I knit for pleasure not for production of works of art.  Plus I am unable to focus on challenging patterns without becoming enmeshed in mistakes, unravelling yarn and trying again, only to throw the over-knitted yarn away in the end.  Simple is better for me.  Then the knitting feels happy and comforting.

I bought some interesting yarn called “Twelve” because it combines twelve different kinds of yarn into each ball.  When knit, the variations create intriguing patterns in an otherwise plain mitt. The picture on the free pattern made the finished products look like fun.  And indeed the first pair of mitts was fun to knit.  They’re not supposed to be the exact copies of each other; I liked that.

The second pair was less fun because the balls of yarn were not consistently made.  The spots where the twelve different kinds of yarn joined each other were thin, too thin and broke easily, which created lots of cutting and repair work on the yarn.  Even worse, when one mitt was completed, close inspection showed that the knitted yarn had given way in some spots and was unravelling creating holes and gaps.

I wondered if I would have enough yarn left to complete the second pair.  I unravelled the holey mitt and saved what I could of the yarn; the yarn that was sturdy enough to hold together.  After a bit of swearing and re-knitting and pulling on the yarn to ensure it would hold, I managed to get two pairs of fingerless mitts made from the balls of yarn.

I should have shopped at my regular yarn shop which always stands behind the products it sells.  I should have made a larger fuss about returning the faulty yarn to the other yarn store where I purchased it.  I should have warned people about the pitfalls of buying yarn from a chain store just because it’s cheaper…oh wait, I am doing that.

What about the mitts?  I like the pattern.  I like knitting.  I’ll get better yarn from my favourite wool shop and make more.  I’m sure that the mitts I’ve knit will hold together.  Well, I’m quite sure. Kind of sure…

OK, if you receive mitts from me for Christmas, give them a good going over and return them to me if they are coming to pieces. Unlike the chain store, I’ll stand behind my work, allow you to return the faulty gift and I’ll knit you another sturdier pair of fingerless mitts.

Merry mitts to you!

Photo and words are copyright Carol Steel.

Vampire Knits

Winter means knitting and knitting means rummaging through my yarn stash, and seeking out a suitable pattern.

Knitting pattern books can be expensive so I search for free patterns on Internet sites.   Those I most often use are: http://www.knitty.com  and http://www.ravelry.com.    If a book is what I crave, my favorite source for knitting pattern books is the New Brunswick Public Library Service.

I’ve currently borrowed the intriguing title Vampire Knits, Projects to Keep You Knitting from Twilight to Dawn.  Author Genevieve Miller dedicates her book to “knitters and vampire lovers everywhere.”   Vampire Knits, which acknowledges its connection to Stephenie Meyer's “Twilight” series and to other vampire stories, includes more than 25 knitting projects designed to appeal to vampire fans.

From the section called “Protect Me”, this pattern for pulse protectors (otherwise known as scarf and fingerless gloves) vows to “keep your most tempting veins and arteries under wraps.”

This hooded cowl promises protection for the neck from bloodthirsty vampires, while helping one blend into the midnight shadows when worn as a hood.

Each pattern has a vampire theme, includes vampire lore, with an occasional quiz thrown in to test your knowledge about the historical evolution of tales of the un-dead.  You’ll discover clear knitting patterns and solid practical pointers with easy-to-follow diagrams for everything from gloves and scarves, to shawls, sweaters, capes, pillows, totes and jewellery. 

I’ve been fascinated by vampire movies since childhood, years before the current romanticized cult following of all creatures vampire-ish and werewolf-y.  For me, the book is a fun read.

Vampire Knits is available from the New Brunswick Public Library Service.  If you would rather purchase your own copy, you’ll be comforted to know that a portion of the sale proceeds is donated to the Red Cross, “who’ve been helping humans get the blood they need since before Edward Cullen was born.”

Thanks to Genevieve Miller for this sensational knitting pattern book.

Copyright belongs to Genevieve Miller, of course.

For additional information, click on words in colour to go to another website.

Knitting Book Review

Three years ago when I stopped working at paid employment, I decided to cease buying books.  It wasn’t a hard decision; I no longer had any cash to spare for purchasing books. 

Since then I have begun a growing relationship with the Public Library System in New Brunswick.  http://visions.gnb.ca   I cannot obtain every book I want, and some I can get, I have to wait a few weeks to take out.  Because of the library, I have been able to keep myself supplied with good reading materials. 

It is easy!  At the library, I applied for a library card, so they can keep track of me and the books I borrow.   I request help from the pleasant librarians, in finding authors and books I want or I can go online at  http://visions.gnb.ca  to search, to request a hold on a book and to check on the due dates for returning those I have at home now.  The library system is most cooperative; they will deliver the books to Riverview Library, the closest one to where I live.

The library provides me with a place to do research, to work on my writing, to use a computer, to attend workshops, to participate in authors’ readings, to learn about writing contests and publishers and lots more.

It is fun to take out several books by the same author, to have the luxury of reading a variety of that person’s work back to back to back.  A great learning experience about their style, as well as their evolving talent.

Currently, I have borrowed a book on knitting.  Doesn’t sound exciting?  But it is!  In addition to the practicalities of patterns, knitting how-to’s and instructions (most of which are aimed at more proficient knitters than I am); this book is full of fascinating stories and facts about global traditions, techniques and design.

Its title is Knitting On Top of the World, written by Nicky Epstein.  The book divides traditions into subsections: Far North, Windswept Isles, Old World, Around the Mediterranean, Far East and New World.  Each subsection begins with the history and techniques that are indigenous to that particular area, complete with stories of the men and women who developed these basic historical styles of knitting.

Nicky Epstein herself says that this book is “not meant to be a scholarly approach to knitting.”  Her book bounces around from Scotland to Iceland to Japan to Sweden to Russia to Latvia and around the globe exploring the history of the designs produced by different climates and cultures.  

 She then designs newer pieces to be knit based on those historical works.  And, labels them with “degrees of difficulty” (novice knitter, intermediate knitter, skilled knitter, master knitter) for those talented knitters who will use the book.  While I would love to be able to knit complicated designs, for me, knitting functions as a way to relax.  It is not relaxing for me to count stitches and to have to pay minute attention to each tiny stitch on my needles.  Perhaps I am at the pre-novice knitter category?

Having stated my bias, I still enjoy reading the information about the creative history of knitting and will be returning this book to the library soon, so that you could enjoy it too. It is an inspirational read and if you're a talented knitter, you'll really enjoy Nicky's designs and clear instructions. Happy knitting!

Photos of the book and page are mine.  Copyright belongs to Nicky Epstein, of course.  Click on links to learn more about Nicky Epstein and her many books of knitting designs.

Weekend Activities

Weekend Activities

Our weekend was quiet.  G. wasn’t feeling too perky after an intense work week and entertaining company twice for dinners.  With the past few days of idyllic autumnal weather, we had trimmed hedges, weeded and mowed, transplanted greenery, leaving us both tired and needing down time.

He rested, slept, watched TV and searched the Internet for cars.  Each fall, he is hit by the “I wonder if I should sell the car and purchase a newer model?” bug.  So he searched for deals on used vehicles.  He fancies a Toyota Rav4 this time; if he finds one, we’ll be selling our Matrix.  Or maybe not, he just enjoys the search, loves looking for cars.

The whole weekend was rainy and cool, great incentive for staying indoors and close to the fireplace.  I muddled around the house doing odds’n’ends of house tidying, the usual laundry, meals, catching up on paper work for volunteer commitments and knitting, plus some waiting on the husband...maid-like, as I said he wasn’t feeling well.  I don’t usually wait on him; he is extremely capable and competent around the house and is an excellent chef, but he was whiny, so what could I do?

I’ve not knit much since last winter, therefore am rusty.  I am a slow, careful knitter.  Though I enjoy it, I am not terribly proficient at it.  Knitting requires the full focus of my attention; it feels like a meditative activity of sorts.  I literally cannot carry on a conversation or watch a TV program or listen to the radio when I knit.   There is something about following instructions to the letter that throws me off.  Is my head so busy composing stories and writing that I don’t concentrate well on direction-specific tasks?

I did complete two small knitting projects.  I started the hat and unravelled it three times before I got the pattern right.  Argh!  The mittens had to be adjusted so that the pair was the “same”.  I do like the challenge of projects I’m not good at, even though they try my patience.  I used to think that I would get really proficient at knitting if I kept at it.  A delusion; hasn’t happened...doesn’t look like it will.  I am not a fantastic knitter, must restrict myself to simple projects, though I do enjoy the meditative activity…especially on a quiet weekend when the man is unwell and so whiny.  Knitting is better than strangling.

London-Wul Fibre Arts

The days are shorter and the nights are cooler; time to begin knitting again.  To get started, I visited London-Wul Fibre Arts, on the outskirts of  Dieppe on the Melanson Road.  “ London-Wul is a fibre farm in New Brunswick Canada where animals are neither destroyed nor sold - without exception.   It is also a national award winning Fibre Arts Gallery, supply and equipment shop and home to the studio of Heidi Wulfraat.”

Heidi was tidying her dye shop, and customers were few at that moment, so she spent time with me discussing the patterns and needles I needed, as well as giving me a tour of her delightful array of yarns.

Being at London-Wul is a visual and tactile pleasure.  I love wandering and exploring the piles and bins of vibrantly coloured yarns, many created by Heidi herself, darks, brights, pastels, variegated.  I touch each one and revel in the textures, coarse, fine, lumpy, thick, thin, fuzzy… my fingertips caress. Blissfully, I imagine finished projects!

The shop’s walls are covered with Heidi’s fabric art, unbelievably finely detailed, a gallery of her talents.  I am contented, just to stand and stare and dream, to appreciate the textures, colours and designs.

Heidi is nothing if not enthusiastic about her work, her sheep, her wool and her own artistic growing edges.  She is supportive and keen to encourage anyone who is struggling along at basic levels of knitting, like me.  She patiently points out the best possible choices for making my mitts and hat, finds me patterns and discusses the merits of various weights of wool.

When I am there, I want to buy everything.  Of course, I cannot!  I appreciate that Heidi creates yarn from her own sheep, dying and spinning her own wool; wool that is of soft texture and delicate, variegated shades such that knitting with it is a total pleasure, an experience of creation and a visual and tactile thrill.  I love the way the colours slowly meld from dark to light and back again, and delight in the surprise of knitting as the patterns, colours and designs develop in the knitting.

            I love London-Wul!