OhSewCrafty Blog

• Pattern by Karen Adams, via Rav download
• Yarn: Knitpicks Stroll Tonal, Blue Violet, 185 yds
• Needles/Size/Gauge: 8 st/12 rows/1″ 2×2 rib on US 0, to fit S/M size
• Time to knit: About 1 week in December 10/January 11

The Glorious Cabled Mitts were chosen as part of SKC’s 2010Q4 KAL, and I cast on rather optimistically on December 27th, thinking I could wip them up quickly.  However, I’ve never knit on size 0 needles before, and the project ran over into 2011.  Happily for me, the theme of the 2011Q1 KAL is “texture” aka knit/purl combos such as ribbing, so these mitts qualify! 

The pattern is fine, no errata.  I worked on dpns as I don’t enjoy the magic loop method.  Dpns worked fine (N1 + N2 = pattern N1, N3 + N4 = pattern N2), though I did have to move a few central stitches between N1 & N2 a few times to accomodate the cabling.  For the bind off(s), I did a sewn bind off for 2×2 ribbing as described in “Vogue Knitting”.  Completed with a yarn needle, it’s basically a tubular bind off.  No matter what I do, my tension is wonky in the initial bind off, so I have to go back and tighten up each stitch.  The whole process is a bit tedious but it provides a lovely edge, subtle and completely elastic, so it’s worth it. 

The yarn was subbed as I didn’t feel like spending the money on a skein of Malabrigo sock, particuarly since I’d use only half the yardage.  So I subbed the Knitpicks Stroll Tonal, which I’d been wanting to try anyway, plus it was 25% off in the Knitpicks Cyber Monday sale!  Stroll is a lightweight fingering yarn, and knits up fine on size 0’s, but the stitches were so small I had trouble executing some of the cable crosses without a cable needle, as is my custom.  I kept dropping stitches and splitting the yarn.  I don’t have any cable needles small enough, so I used a paper clip with one ‘leg’ slightly bent.  Anyway, Stroll is quite soft with gorgeous tonal color variegation, and I’d love to use it in a sweater project, albeit at a slightly looser gauge. 

This is my first project knit at such small gauge and I’m very happy with the FO.  They’re warm yet light, the cable motif provides interest, plus the allover 2×2 ribbing creates a great fit, snug yet comfortable.  I found the tubular bind off to be key in extending the comfort and practicality of the mitts.