It’s Furious Balancing

Pattern: Mitered Mittens,  The Knitter’s Almanac (May), Elizabeth Zimmermann

Yarn: Noro Kureyon, Color 265

Needles: US Size 6

Size: Children’s Large/Ladies’ XS.  I started with a cast on of 40 stitches.  After 5 rows of 1×1 ribbing, I decreased 4 stitches evenly on the first knit row, and worked on 36 stitches until the decreases at the top of the mitten.  They fit me very snugly, so I’m imagining these for a 8-12 year old girl.

Mods:  The gusseted thumb.  EZ’s pattern calls for an “afterthought” thumb.   After finishing the mitten, you’re supposed to snip a few stitches where you think the thumb should go and pick up stitches for it.  That was way too haphazard for me, even with my l33t steeking and yarn snipping skillz.

I found a write-up for a gusseted thumb on Kathryn Ivy’s blog, and did a 12-stitch thumb.   Putting the thumb on the side, I think, keeps the “spirit” of the EZ mittens, in that they can be worn on either hand. 

They were a quick and easy knit, and the color changes in the Noro kept me entertained.  I am easily amused by self-striping yarn — I do not deny it.

I’ve decided, quite on the spur of the moment, to participate in Blogtoberfest.

Yes, it is at bad as it sounds.  A blog post every day during the month of October.  If you feel compelled to point out to me that today is October 3rd, thank you.  I already know that, and the “rules” say you can begin on any day, including October 30th.

I’ve been in this gray, inchoate place in my mind with regard to blogging.  I think of things to write about, certainly.  I  never actually work up the energy to craft a post, or it just turns into a Facebook update. I’m growing weary of this and figure I need a kick in the pants to get me up and running, or rather, blogging.

I’m hoping I will be able to write a few things this month that aren’t “what I had for lunch today” posts.