A couple of weeks ago, I had a birthday because I have yet to figure out how to get out of having them without actually dying. I'm sure there's a way to do it, and, with luck, I'll figure it out sooner rather than later.
The day after, I received a message on the Ravelry Machine from a designer I actually like. She had been looking at the member list of her group to see who had a birthday when and saw me. She sent a very sweet note and gave me one of her patterns as a thank you for being in her group/etc.
Only it wasn't just one pattern. It was two patterns. Green Memories. Of course, I'd been eyeing the mitts for a while, was thrilled with the surprise and wanted to cast on straight away. After some poking around the stash and reading the pattern, I went with Kroy Sock yarn in the sexily named color way of Flax. (Yeah, I know how to have a good time.)
I had to go up a needle size or two because there was no way that I could make arm warmers to actually fit me on US 1s. Plus, with the way I knit, the fabric would have been a bit on the dense side. Since we're not having much of a winter this year, that didn't make sense.
The pattern uses three different colors. The next time I knit this pattern I will do that. This time, I wanted boring, neutral, go with the wardrobe color. Bonus points for using a yarn that can go in the washer/dyer.
I love how they turned out. Love how they fit, and kind of wanted a pink pair as soon as I finished this pair. (Still might do that. I did wind the yarn.)
Btw, that's the color work hat I'm thinking about knitting. Thinking and rethinking because last time I had gauge issues and ended up with something that didn't really fit a person. I'm tired of collecting things that I can't wear or use, therefore, all the pondering.
Did I mention that I love this pattern? That I'm wearing these mitts as I type this? That I'm only blogging because I'm tired of knitting 1x1 rib?
Yeah...
Those are really classic. Love 'em!
Posted by: CindyCindy | Sunday, January 26, 2014 at 06:01 AM
People who knit by throwing are not overly fond of 1x1. I know as I'm one of them. The mitts and hat are really cool in color work. A friend made the pair and they turned out very great. A hats a great way to try color work. You can do it, you're smarter than the pattern (and the yarn). Yes you are.
Posted by: margene | Sunday, January 26, 2014 at 06:09 AM
Stay young at heart...it doesn't matter what the number is as long as you think young!
Cute mitts! And the hat will be too. I'm acquainted with sizing issues. o.0 Hope it turns out. :)
I still have a colorwork hat/cowl combo that I could tell you about...it's really cute and the kit is purple and grey. Tempting???
xoxo
Posted by: Marilyn | Sunday, January 26, 2014 at 07:03 AM
Those are great. Personally, I adore gray so I think you're right on trend. If you made a multi colored it could be a good way to use up those little bits of yarn one ends up with...unless you're not at all like me.
The hat pattern is great too. I hope that you get around to that one too. You are apparently my pattern trail blazer today.
Posted by: silvia | Sunday, January 26, 2014 at 10:34 AM
1x1 rib sucks for pickers, too!
Posted by: Datagoddess | Sunday, January 26, 2014 at 10:36 AM
Oooh! Please knit the hat! I love it! I look terrible in hats, so I love that other people get to knit and wear the ones I like. And you know, you knitting this hat is all about me. ;)
Posted by: Teresa C | Sunday, January 26, 2014 at 12:03 PM
I love armwarmers.
Posted by: Cheryl S. | Sunday, January 26, 2014 at 12:43 PM
So beautiful!!! and the color is one of my favorites.
xxoo
Posted by: Kathleen | Sunday, January 26, 2014 at 04:05 PM
Your arm warmers are lovely! I have this pattern and will have to knit them now that I've read your review:)
Posted by: Karen | Monday, January 27, 2014 at 06:28 AM
I love those... very subtle. I am working on the car seat blanket and only the car seat blanket until it is done. I say that because the other things that I am working on are in time out for behaving very badly. One project actually added 50 stitches all by itself...because I can't have counted wrong in my 961 stitch cast on.
And I am with you on the how to not have birthdays while still being alive bit. Mine was about a week before yours and I draw the at 55. I cannot be 55 I tell you, so any more is out of the question because in my mind I am not a day over 40, even if my joints are telling me otherwise.
Posted by: Doris | Monday, January 27, 2014 at 09:44 AM
What a lovely surprise. Nice arm warmers too. Emjioy.
Posted by: Melissa | Monday, January 27, 2014 at 09:49 AM
They are just lovely. Love the little detail and the color. Nice job girl!
Posted by: Patty | Monday, January 27, 2014 at 12:23 PM
Very nice. And I'm sure you can figure out a way to manage that birthday thing!
When we were much younger, DH worked for a minor league baseball team, and sat in the booth next to the scoreboard keeper. Every time I went to a game, it was magically my birthday. I would be 105 if all those birthdays had counted. Your issue is the opposite, but I'm sure there is magic there, too!
Posted by: pdxknitterati/michele | Monday, January 27, 2014 at 03:47 PM
Cute! Now you need to knit a sweater.
Posted by: Carrie#K | Monday, January 27, 2014 at 03:54 PM
oooo
Posted by: KellyS | Monday, January 27, 2014 at 07:49 PM
Sweet! Cute patterns, too.
I forgot I was a different age number until last week. It really doesn't matter. Age does not define you. Especially you. xox
Posted by: Angie | Wednesday, January 29, 2014 at 06:48 PM
Love the little stitch detail.
Posted by: Stacey | Wednesday, January 29, 2014 at 07:58 PM