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Monday, January 23, 2012

The Best of Christmas Knitting: 2011

I've been meaning to show you guys these since like 8:45 pm on Boxing Day (when they were given to their very sweet owner, my sister in law). They are, at this point, my proudest achievement in knitting.


The photos are a bit sub-par (I didn't get a chance to take pictures until we were visiting family; I forgot my real camera at home and had to use my phone) but I think you can get the gist. The reason they are such a source of pride is in the yarn - I dyed the fibre, then spun it exactly to the grist I needed (this is a big deal for me) in multiple skeins of equal length. It knit up perfectly.


The pattern is "La Joie du Printemps" by Heather Desserud and it was worth every cent of the $5 I paid for it. I am in love with these mittens. I can't wait to make a pair for myself. They are soft, cozy, well sized, and insanely warm.


My only regret is not doing the thumbs at the point in the gradient where they join the hand. Well, that and running out of the cream with about 10 yards still needed and having to spin more. However, I'm exceedingly proud that I got all the yardage I needed, both of the main colour and the contrast colour, using less than 4 ounces of wool. I'm really getting better at spinning less densely.

Want to see the yarn? Of course you do.

All ready to begin knitting in cute little sushi balls

Half the spinning complete
I took the mitten photos in the elementary school library where my sister-in-law works, and this pic makes me happy:


So what are your proudest knitterly achievements? How about crochet? Spinning? Weaving? I'd love to hear about them!

6 comments:

  1. They are beautiful! No wonder you are so happy with them.
    My proudest acheivement is a hat I spun and knitted for my grand daughter. I guess it's because it was the first item I knitted with my handspun. You can see the hat here http://www.ravelry.com/projects/zenitude/bimple

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  2. Oh my gosh what a cute hat! There's something about little girls and rainbows that go so well together :)

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  3. I LOVE those mitts! I'm so jealous that you can spin. But then again, maybe it's a good thing I don't...I really don't need another hobby to get completely obsessed about!

    I don't think I have any knitting achievements that I'm the most proud of....yet. Nothing stands out for me. I do want to attempt knitting a garment in pieces and then actually sew it up to turn it into a garment. That's a goal for this year. I also want to try colourwork.

    For now, I bow at your greatness. Those mitts better be well cherished! Cause they are completely stunning!! And to know that you spun the yarn?? Your SIL better know how well loved she is!!! :)

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  4. WOW! Those mitts are beautiful, and knowing that that's hand dyed and spun? I'm so in awe!

    I think my proudest moment is probably the first doll-size adaptation of a human pattern I did, Rada's Silver Leaves. It turned out really well and was a lot easier than knitting without a pattern as I had been. I need to get some new pictures now that Rada has better hair and eyes you can actually see, though!

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  5. Melissa - you can add to your many achievements that you are my sweater knitting role model. You choose awesome colours, ideal patterns for your body and style, and then do a perfect job! I'm always jealous :)

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  6. Undermost Salamander - I love that tiny sweater! I was actually showing that one to my mum a while ago (just after you finished the Pevensie and posted it on Rav) so she could marvel at the tiny stitches and the impeccable, teeny icord! Rada sure is beautiful, but the eyes were still are a big improvement :)

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