Mmmmm . . . Handspun
What is it about handspun yarn that makes the most mundane project seem special?
I knit these fingerless mitts on the plane from Salt Lake to Boston last week. There are more photos on the project page on Ravelry. The project was based on this pattern I did for Knit Picks a couple of years ago, except I knit them in the round instead of flat and I also adjusted for the different yarn weight.
Admittedly, they look a bit odd until you put them on. Then they fit . . . well . . . like a glove:
The yarn was spun from some luscious merino roving I got from Copper Pot Woolies. (Yes, Beth, the yarn is a tiny bit purple; but it’s orange, too!)
I spun it worsted with a short, forward draw and then wet finished it to really soften up the colors and forestall the inevitable pilling that comes with merino.
In all honesty, I wasn’t sure about the colors in this roving until it was spun and plied. Then I loved it. Proof, yet again, that you should trust the wonderful people who blend batts to concoct something that will look fantastic spun up.
Best of all, I have more of the same fiber in a different colorway just waiting its turn in the spinning queue.
View blog reactions
Susan | knitting, spinning, mittens
I almost feel off my chair…purple? The mitts are fabulous and must be very warm, too. The second batt is amazing!!!
You can’t go wrong with purple - and adding orange to the mix? Genius!
They really are terrific. And the other batt is gorgeous!
That’s a great batt….purple and orange is a terrific combination!
OOH, pretty!
Ooh, pretty batt! I love how they turned out. I didn’t “get” the utility of fingerless mitts until the other day when I was waiting outside in a line (at Bostix in Faneuil Hall) and knitting with cold hands.
Wow…..Susan they are SO pretty! I may have to go check out some of that roving myself
I love purple and orange together, also a muted purple and buttery yellow… yum.
Your mitts are wonderful!
Indeed there is something about knitting with handspun! The gloves are lovely and that fiber is gorgeous!
Those mitts look great and show off the handspun really well.
Wow the mittens are really nice! Love the colour!
That really is a beautiful batt. I love it when you spin from a batt and it knits up sort of tweedy like that.
Ooooh, very nice! Started a pair for myself (different pattern) using my handspun, but hate how they’re coming out. Will frog and redo. Like the thumb gussett on yours. What’s the yarn wt of yours?
Lovely! Just in time for mitt weather, too.
They look great! Love the color, too.
Beautiful! I love the way the orange and purple look together. The other batt looks amazing too.
Perfectly beautiful!.
Yum! Gorgeous handspun - and a great little project for it too!
“Hot Rocks” says it all. That is some hot stuff you have there! And it made splendid yarn.
What’s next, a matching hat?…
I knit my very first pair of armwarmers from your pattern a few years ago, and wear them more than any other armwarmer I have knit since (and I have a few). They just fit so great!
The process is kind of magic by itself. Add a bit of creativity and it becomes very special each time.
Very pretty! They don’t look odd at all, not even just lying there. I love the way the colors came out, and the spinning looks so even!
And that Hot Rocks colorway… immediately made me think of lava.
Very, very pretty! Handspun does make any project special.
Very pretty armwarmers. The colorway is great!
YUM!! I need some of those…maybe John can knit them for me! HA!
Oh, wow, I love these! I’ve been looking for a nice fingerless glove pattern for aran weight yarn knit on two circs–now I’ve found them. Thanks!
Beautiful! The orange even gets past my filter. Going to look for Copper Pot pix.
My current mittlets are not half as cute.
Wet finishing for merino, very good idea. Did you beat the crap out of it?
It looks divine, and you know I love the colour.
Great fit! Thanks for the pattern suggestion, as I haven’t any for myself any longer and need to whip up a pair. What a great blend of colors too, you really can’t see the purple til you get that close-up view and they all blend into a lovely coppery red.
I’ve made so many of these mitts that I’ve lost count. They are the perfect little gift for anyone. I do them in the round too but I added a little ribbing on the thumb gusset to hold them a little closer on the thumb.