Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Speaking of Mittens...
My recent preoccupation with mittens began simply.
Now, it's become something much more.
Thanks entirely to a collaboration with the mitten giftee, the humble mittens have evolved into a strange (but charming) pair of new friends.
May I introduce Rufus & Bargy. (Rufus is taller).
These boys began as a pair of mittens adapted from the children's mitten pattern in the Elizabeth Zimmermann book, The Opinionated Knitter. I fiddled with the pattern a bit to make them the proper size for a small child and I gave them extra inches at the wrist for more warmth. The yarn is a hand-dyed, worsted-weight that I got at the Wool Festival in Taos. It reminds me of fall and crayons. Sadly, I was too dazed by beautiful yarn to note the vendor's name.They fit perfectly and there's a little space to grow.
The best part of knitting them? Creating the adorable curled-tip. This feature is uniquely Zimmermann's and it lends a quirky elfin personality to the mitts. For a more technical explanation of my pattern modifications please visit my post on Zimmermania, post title: Rufus & Bargy - of course.
I recognized their charm right away. What I did not see was the obvious need for eyes. My four-year-old pointed out that their eyes were missing. "How can they talk with me if they can't see me?"
Good question.
The curled tip.The backs of Zimmermann's mitts are embroidered with handsome chevrons. I decided that little x's were more little boyish.
And finally, Rufus and Bargy have a kiss:
Until next time. xoLabels: mittens, Taos Wool Festival, Zimmermann
¶ 5:44 PM
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Haha! Those are awesome! And how could you not know that they can't talk if they can't see? :) That curled tip is adorable, I might need to adapt this pattern for adult sized hands...eyes and all.
# posted by 
: November 09, 2006 10:27 AM
: November 09, 2006 10:27 AM
Oh Molly,
What a creative soul that has sprung from your loins! I love the mitts!
What a creative soul that has sprung from your loins! I love the mitts!
# posted by : November 09, 2006 11:20 AM
: November 09, 2006 11:20 AM
They are sooo cute! What a lucky boy (and a lucky mama). I love the way that yarn turned out.
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# posted by : November 10, 2006 8:38 AM
: November 10, 2006 8:38 AM<< Home
