Mittens aren’t exactly linear.
Unlike socks, where the knitter starts at either the top or bottom and just plows on through, Mittens always need a detour for the thumb. Gusset or set in--I’ve done both--they always mean knitters need to circle back and enclose the thumb.
This only enforces the basic truth of sock, glove, and mitten knitting: reaching an end doesn’t mean you’re done. Either you’ve reached the end of the hand and you’ve got a thumb to go; or worse yet--you’ve finished the left and you’ve still got the right to go.
Which brings me to an embarrassing admission. I’m not sure how it happened, but in following the directions for a left mitten I somehow ended up with a right. I think it had to do with how I handled the fingertip end--I don’t like round-ended mittens so I opted to kitchener stitch it up. I find the kitchner stitch gives the right balance between a pointed/flat mitten tip and the bunchy drawstring approach. I suspect this foible means I need to be extra careful which stitches I kitchener (is that a verb?) next.
The fit--even if it is snug--is very nice. A tailored, close-fitting mitten that doesn’t bunch up or make it impossible to grasp your car keys. Well done!
Two extra bonuses today:
1) "Colin Smith" and "Gina", according to the trusty random math at Random.org, each of you has won a copy of an Erica O’Rourke novel from our February Authors Who Knit feature--please email me at allie [at] alliepleiter [dot] com with your snail mail address so we can arrange for shipment
2) Here, for your viewing pleasure, is a little non-fiber art: a shot of me at the Chicago Auto Show in a car decorated entirely by Sharpie markers.
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