Sunday, November 16, 2008

Your Gloves, Ma'am

A few weeks back Southern California had a blast of unseasonably cool weather which caused to me wonder ~ why ~ had I not spent all Summer knitting fingerless gloves?


So I got busy and knit myself a pair of Lace-Up Fingerless Gloves from Alterknits. This is a simple and fun pattern to knit and the only modification I made was at the behest of my knitting group who (to a one) felt the ribbons were much too Medival for their taste and suggested I try using a lacing made from the matching yarn. Thank heavens for friends who prevent you from going out looking ridiculous! Not that there's anything wrong with looking Medieval, mind you. Nothing wrong with that at all.

Specs: Alterknits; Tilli Tomas Aspen yarn (yarn left over from my Cabled Down Raglan sweater); modifications: dropped down to US 7 needles due to yarn substitution and instead of lacing with ribbon I made a twisted cord with tassel (method explained in Last Minute Knitted Gifts) If you don't have this pattern book, a similar free on-line pattern is Toast (compliments of A Friend to Knit With).

To jazz them up a bit I might (I only said might) try adding a black ribbon.



Speaking of my knitting group, it was my turn to host last week and the roses in the picture below came from Jane's garden. It's a complete mystery to me how my neighbor's gardens thrive whilst I can't seem to grow a single flower on my property. I strongly suspect that I'm experiencing a unique micro-climate of stronger winds and hotter days. It's really too bad as I would love to have a flowering garden and would, if only I could, but obviously I can't, for the aforementioned reasons.



Even amongst the many beautiful gardens in Topanga, Jane's rose garden is a standout. When asked her secret she will hint that it somehow involves a special aphid-killing talent. She might just you her secret if you ask and you can find her on-line at T Ching (a blog about tea, design, and life) where she is one of several contributors of amusing articles on tea and life. Check out her first published article The Moaning After.

Are you a Procrastiknitter?

I am a procrastiknitter. I am calling myself this because I can't seem to get started on my Cabled Riding Jacket (a Teva Durham pattern in Loop-d-Loop ). I love the pattern and I love the yarn (Mostly Merino). The cause of my proscrastiknitting is that the pattern will be difficult to downsize sufficiently to fit me well. I have gotten some helpful suggestions which I'll explain more about if they work out well. This phenomenon takes place when you avoid a project because it will be hard to knit in some fashion or another. As a result, you find yourself knitting on easier projects instead. But this week I am going to conquer my procrastiknitting. Unless I find another excuse to procrastiknit.

In Closing, A little About Beagle Antics

Have you ever wondered how your dog was able to get into something when left alone? This video will explain a lot about how dogs behave when left alone and is a must see video for all dog owners - The Amazing Escape of Sophia the Beagle.

Whenever we leave Mr Puffy alone we implement a procedure called "beagle proofing" the house. Beagle proofing the house involves placing furniture upside down, covering furniture with noise making contraptions (we swear by a sofa scam) and checking that the doors leading to bedrooms or food storage areas are shut. The procedure is pretty quick at home in Topanga but can take much longer at other locations. I, frankly, would be embarrassed if my Mom and Dad had to go to such extraordinary steps to leave me alone. But, that's just me.


In our family, when someone laughs when called on a matter, we call that the laugh of guilt. What's this, is Mr Puffy actually exhibiting the laugh of guilt?

23 comments:

t does wool said...

it does seem like it's a laugh of guilt...very delightful post! and I love,the mitts...yes...(please don't go out looking too medieval)you would have to wear a laced up corselet or something...lol!!!

jillian said...

Your gloves are beautiful. Love the idea of the twisted cord for a more casual version.

I'm a procrastiknitter too!

knittingdragonflies said...

You are reading my mind. I've been learing at that pattern, you knitted it up beautifully, I like your modifications.
Vicki

Monika said...

Those fingerless mittens are lovely! I like your mods too. As we've got snow last night, they would be great to have right now. The pictures are great as always, I like the one with the roses especially. So far all we had to do to keep the dogs in check when we leave the house, was to close the baby gate, and they would sleep in the kitchen on their pillows until we get home. Now that Sam is all dopped up, he opens doors, crashes through gates, openes boxes with treats and even lifted the lid on the platic box with treats in it. He also rades the garbage cans. It's not so much fun now,to always wonder what he'd done this time. Darn drugs. :o) Mr. Puffy looks so innocent in this picture! :o)

Anonymous said...

Great Post!

Renee said...

What lovely fingerless mitts! Just beautiful. They look so elegant.
I'm not a procrastiknitter so much as I start so many projects it's hard to get them all done, lol.
Of my 3 dogs, only one needs house proofing. I swear he stays up late at night trying to think of things he can do while we're gone. The other 2 rat him out as soon as we walk in the door if he's been a naughty boy. lol

Sue said...

Oh isnt he just so cute. I really like those gloves you made too, they look beautiful. I wonder if your neighbour uses more composts and mulch to keep her garden looking and growing good. If you lack moisture perhaps you need a wetting agent in the soil too.

A South Park Republican said...

The gloves are great and I totally think you could rock a black ribbon if you so desired!

SissySees said...

Love the gloves, and yes that does appear to be a wicked smile at the very least.

We crate, because Fred and Mugsy taught us that the one thing we overlooked in our departing preparations was the one thing they couldn't resist. So far, the girls don't mind a bit.

Anonymous said...

the gloves are lovely! I too am a procrasiknitter. I'll skip over some pattern that I have all the yarn for, and start something on a whim. Sometime you can work yourself into pattern fear! BTW, I wore my Cabled Riding Jacket today, and I do love it...

Anonymous said...

These are so pretty! You have beautiful hands!

Anonymous said...

Your fingerless gloves are beautiful and I think the mods makes them perfect! As for beagle-proofing the house when you go out - don't forget to disconnect the phone and unplug the computer.

Bubblesknits said...

I like the modification on the gloves. Mainly because if I had ribbons, the girl-child would be running off with them every time my back was turned. lol

Definitely a laugh of guilt. My cats give me a "Yeah, I did it..so?" look pretty often. ;-)

Lara said...

The mitts are gorgeous. I love the color and they look really soft! So pretty.

I LOVE the cable riding jacket from Loop-d-loop! I can't remember what the sizing is like but it is a great pattern.

Denise said...

Absolutely Gorgeous! You always make me want to knit the things you knit :-) I love the pic with the roses.
I'm not a procrastiknitter when it comes to casting on, but I am one when it comes to FO's! I have a few things in hibernation to prove it.
xxx

kasiaiscarly said...

Our beagle proofing is never QUITE enough. . . which is why the dogs must live in the garage if we are gone - no free run of the house. Last night Zosia somehow got a bag of M&Ms out of my purse by standing on the staircase, sticking her head through the rails and getting onto the foyer table!

Tracy said...

Oh, I LOVE those gloves...they are so elegant. My fingers and toes tingle to want to knit some. I like your alternative with the matching yarn for the lacing, pretty tassels. But I may give the ribbon a go! Be brave, be bold, look ridiculous...why not, we only get one ride here! :o) Guilt...*tee-hee*...Mr. Puffy looks so sweet though...Give him a kiss from me! Happy Day ((HUGS))

Hilary said...

Ooooh...I love the gloves with the twisted cord lace-ups! And of course having the option of a black ribbon is great. Maybe for a fancy night out?

Yep, I hear ya about the procrastiknitting. I also put off things that I know will require several mods. Though sometimes I get myself going by just casting on and telling myself I'll worry about the mods when I get to the area that will need them.

Anonymous said...

I love your lace fingerless gloves!
Lately, I have been procrastinating on Dan's knee warmers. Hopefully, I will break through my barrier too. Grin.

amanda said...

The gloves are just lovely...how perfect for CA weather.
I totally understand doggie proofing the house. It may be annoying but definitely worth it when we come home!

Ally Jay said...

The gloves look delightful. I'm sure Mr Puffy is very pleased to have trained you so thoroughly and is laughing at how easy it was. He's just making sure you have a job to do.

Windyridge said...

Who would have ever thought the charming Mr. Puffy could be such a devil.

Firefly Nights said...

You mean Mr. P doesn't have perfect manners at home?

Poor little Sofia. Almost stuck.

Even in a photo of fingerless gloves you always look like a model.