Friday, March 07, 2008

I Have a Yarn Thing

Hi Knitters,
Have you seen this new book by Robin Melanson called Knitting New Mittens & Gloves? It's a winner for sure. When I saw it at Barnes and Noble I had one of those moments. I stopped cold when I saw the Welig gloves, the last pattern in the book. You know the kind of moment where you have to run home and immediately start a project before you even get your coat off. That's what this was for me. I love that feeling beyond description.

Welig is an Old English name for willow. Perfect. The yarn is Julia (mine are in the color Geranium) which the pattern calls for. I am knitting on US size 7 dpns instead of the suggested US size 6. For some reason I can't stand tight fitting gloves so I always make sure they will be loose enough for my liking. These fit just right.
I got one glove done yesterday and this morning I got the second one started. My daughter laughed at me when I took her to school because I slapped on my right glove to drive her. She gave me a, "Mooooooom." We giggled. That glove is making me happy, nothing wrong with that. That's why I have to finish the other one right away. I can't be the one glove wonder or I will cause embarrassment for the kids.

I wish you could feel this glove on your hand, it is squishy and exquisite. Don't you love the way the cables run straight up the index and pinkie fingers? And those bobbles are excellent, love 'em. Robin has a very clever pattern here including the thumb technique using scrap yarn which I haven't done before. There is one cable twist that uses 2 cables needles at a time which I haven't done before either. Fun, fun, fun. That's what I say to myself as I learn something new like that. Bravo, Robin!
I ordered yarn yesterday for a couple more of the projects that I adore. Can't wait and I will surely be sharing those as I go along. The lace arm things on the front cover, although pretty and interesting, don't represent the many practical and beautiful projects on the inside pages. There are some really great patterns in here.

Oh my gosh, I have to share this. When I just looked up the link for this book on amazon there was a review that commented on the tiny print in the book. I have really good eyesight, and I always have, but for this book I have had to turn on a bright lamp and wear low grade reading glasses to read the text and chart. I was feeling kind of like my time had come but now when I look at the book it does have teeny tiny, light print. It's all about space when it comes to books. Phew, I may have just narrowly escaped a life with reading glasses for a little while longer.
Other exciting news is that the wonderful Marly of the Yarn Thing podcast has just uploaded an interview I did with her a couple of weeks ago. She is cute and full of life and love for all things knit and crochet. She is an exclamation point and I love that. It was fun to chat with her. Check it out if you get the chance.

I also purchased and downloaded the fiddlehead mittens pattern by Adrian Bizilia. I ordered the yarn for these yesterday, too. Yesterday was not a good day for the old wallet I'd say. I am knitting the tweedy option with the Rowan Scottish Tweed DK weight. I am forever a sucker for tweed. The inside of the mitt is knit in Blue Sky Alpaca's Brushed Suri in the colorway called fudgesicle. Yum, yum. I had to order from three different online shops to get all of the yarns and colors. Persistence pays off sometimes, my friends.

Okay, Knitters, you have a great weekend if I don't pop on here before it's over. I'm going to try my best to keep warm around here.

Knit on.
best, susie

11 comments:

jennysue said...

I always make a copy of the pattern I am using so I can make notes and keep track of where I am. Since my copier has an enlarge feature I also often make the pattern larger so I don't have to wear my glasses to read it. The main problem I seem to have is when some of the directions and headers are printed in a lighter ink that doesn't pick up well when copied ( ie: Itty Bitty Hats ). I do understand the reasoning - most publishers don't want their books easily copied. But when you have spent the money to purchase the book it should be something you can easily copy for personal use. Too bad they can't publish personal editions and "library" editions that can't be copied.

Susan B. Anderson said...

Good point, Jennysue. I know that in the Itty-Bitty books the publisher did use colored print on the headers. As the author you have very little to no say in the actual design of the book. Maybe for my next book I will try to raise this issue before the design is set. The colors add interest on the page but aren't good for copying or for poor eyesight.

Becky said...

The Welig gloves are amazing! They have so much character. I am going to add this book to my wish list. I am not a skilled knitter - yet! I will have to work my way up to the cables. Thanks for sharing the pictures as I agree the lace picture on the front of the book is not that inspiring.

peaknits said...

Your glove(s) is amazing!! I love that you wore one to pick up your daughter - hey, if Michael JAckson can do it...I may have to get that nifty book! I am a mitten/ fingerless mitt addict. I am so excited about the Fiddlehead Mittens - I was thinking about the Jamison (?) Spindrift at Lakeside being a good substitute - but I love that you ordered from three websites to get what you wanted - nice! You are King Midas when it comes to yarn and what you can do with it, you know?!:)

Faith said...

Oh my goodness, that red and blue look so fantastic together! I'm really impressed with the gloves- I'm one of those weiners still frightened of complex cables. One of these days...

coffeechris said...

I was thinking of Micheal Jackson as well, Susan doing the moon walk with one glove, really embarrass those kids. Those gloves looks so wonderful - I have your One for All Hat Pattern, thinking those gloves would really compliment the hat. These days in the Midwest (as you well know) we may be needing them in April. Love that you have the podcast on your IPOD in the photo...so clever.

YarnThing said...

LOL..somebody already said the Michael Jackson comment :-) The gloves are FANTASTIC! I haven't seen that book and now I just have to have it!

You know, I have never made a pair of gloves before...is it hard? I am dieing to try it now :-)

Susie (giggling to think that I can call you susie :-), I had so much fun chatting with you for the podcast. I hope we get to do it again really soon.

You keep my number and if you ever want to just call and shoot the sh...you know...well, go ahead and give me a ring!

xoxoxo
Marly

Dianne MacDonald said...

I bought that book at the local B & N yesterday,also. I hadn't even heard of it. Usually I have things pre-ordered way ahead of time! Love your cabled gloves out of Julia. Isn't that the nicest yarn---and great colors. Many years ago Rita Buchanan had a great article on knitting gloves in Spin-Off magazine. It got me over my fear of fingers!

peaknits said...

p.s. :)

I ordered that book! I had a gift certificate from Amazon burning a hole and I needed to order "something" else to get my free shipping right?

AND I only had to order from TWO places to put together my Fiddlehead "kit" ha ha! :) I also ordered the Suri in Fudgcicle, delicious! I've never tried it. We'll have to compare notes once we get going - I'm a stranding newbie, so I may become a pest:)

Cloudberry said...

Your glove is beautiful!!
I'll have to order that book :)

Have a great weekend!

Tracy Batchelder said...

I'm going to look for this book. Perhaps I'll be okay with the print as I just updated my glasses and contacts.