Stitch and mitts

@mjmucklestone

In anticipation of the cardigan I going to knit, I need to build up my skills. To relieve the perfectionist pressure I am putting on myself I've taken the advice of brilliant knitting guru Karen Templer and put myself in training for the Big Knit by making hats and fingerless mitts.

Karen says that once you've learnt the fingerless mitt with a thumb gusset you're pretty much halfway to a cardigan, and she sings the praises of this pattern: the Muckle Mitt from Mary Jane Mucklestone (check out her website for gorgeous Fair Isle patterns).

See the cute thumb gusset?

Using up odds and ends

I'm on my second pair already and Karen is right, they're great fun to make; plus they're a great way to use up left-over bits of yarn, thereby helping me clear my 'stash' and the possibilities for patterns and colour combinations seem endless!

Also, alongside making cosy mitts as gifts, I finally get to be a person who can wield four needles and two yarns of wool at the same time!   I used to think that this was some kind of Dark Art of Knitting - and now I've mastered it, its a deeply satisfying, highly creative and fun way to knit.

Socks may move up the knitting leader board yet!