@HisGirlFriday13

KeptInStitches

I'm making my first pair of mittens - any advice for a near-novice in shaping?

HisGirlFriday13

Yes! You're an experienced knitter, so you shouldn't have too much trouble.

When you yo to add a stitch and create the gusset, pull tightly so you don't create a gap.

When you go back and work the thumb, I usually find it easier to p every row than to k. I don't know why, really, and as long as I make sure the k side is out and the p side is in, it looks right.

What pattern are you using?

KeptInStitches

This. She seems to have given a lot of notes, so I think I'll be all right. Thanks for the tips on gusset and thumb work!

HisGirlFriday13

Wow, lady, you are seriously ambitious! I have never done a Fair Isle pattern, and that one looks bad complicated! On-balance, though, the pattern (at least with the update) looks like it's fairly straight-forward. You did that impressive pattern the other week in red and gold, though, so you will be fine

Post a pic when you get one done! I'd love to see them.

KeptInStitches

I've done quite a bit of Fair Isle, so it's the construction that makes me nervous. I will be sure to post once I finish one!

ETA: Though I will admit in all fairness that controlling two strands plus the double-points has been daunting and I might have cheated on the earliest rows and only controlled one strand.

HisGirlFriday13

I have never, ever done Fair Isle, because it looks daunting and scares me. Like, a lot. I might have to be brave and try it next year, though.

Yeah, I feel like dpns AND Fair Isle is a lot all at once. I'm going to try Fair Isle on something else first, THEN try it on dpns. I'm good at dpns, though, after having done a bazillion hobo gloves* or leg warmers or hats or whatever.

* I straight-up refuse to do real gloves, or even fingerless gloves, because I always get confused on the fingers and end up doing them backwards, k'ing when I should be p'ing and etc. So I just k until they're a good length, bind off, and have done with it.

KeptInStitches

I recommend a pattern worked in the round - then all you have to do is knit with two strands. How do you knit? English, Continental? I knit English and was told I could never Fair Isle - pack of lies! You'll have to learn to control tension with your non-dominant knitting hand, but once you've got the rhythm, it's fun! It's like learning to knit all over again - it opens up this great big world of patterns.

Do you have a LYS nearby? They might be able to teach a class.

KeptInStitches

Okay, I simplified the pattern a little ... a lot ... but I made a mitten!

And I have no clue why my arm looks so hairy, but I'm blaming the flash, that's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

KeptInStitches

I can't sew to save my life, so I can't even imagine quilting, @alisonmarie658!

KeptInStitches

alisonmarie658 said:

KeptInStitches said:

I can't sew to save my life, so I can't even imagine quilting, @alisonmarie658!

If you can sew in a straight line, you can quilt! I do almost zero work by hand and do everything by machine because it goes so much faster and is so much more secure.

Nope, can't even manage that ... I'm really sad, the seam ripper is my best friend and it's pathetic.

HisGirlFriday13

I'm finally getting to this thread -- it's been a crazy day at work! I love, love, LOVE the mittens, @KeptInStitches. They're adorable. I'm going (to try) to attach a photo of both the fingerless gloves I made my nephew AND the mending project I did on my SIL's fingerless gloves over the weekend.

@alisonmarie658 -- I would LOVE to learn how to quilt!! Any tips??

HisGirlFriday13

*sigh* file attach fail.

HisGirlFriday13

See, sewing I can do. I've made pillows and napkins and placemats and table runners and Hallowe'en costumes and aprons and all kinds of stuff.

Quilting intimidates me.