Fingerless Mittens? Yes, Please!
When Sebastian and I traveled to Paris in what seems like another lifetime, he bought a pair of fingerless gloves from a street vendor on the Left Bank one particularly cold, gray day. These gloves were so soft and so cozy, and I promptly lost one. Since then, I’ve been scoping out possible replacements on etsy, dreaming of the fingerless gloves that could possibly replace the ones that have achieved epic proportions in hindsight. When I saw the knitting projects in the January issue of Martha Stewart, I knew I was staring at my creative destiny. So what if the only thing I’ve ever knit are scarves, and if I have no idea how to fix my mistakes, and everything I makes turns out a little warbly-looking? That’s part of the homemade charm of crafting, right?
So you knitters, tell me: is this an acceptable “moving on from scarves” project? What was your second knitting project? Was it so intimidating that you immediately went back to scarves, or such a successful exercise in confidence-building that you moved on to big, bulky fisherman’s sweaters? This project seems simple enough but involves increasing and decreasing, which is probably not as scary as it sounds. And look how cute they are! Your sage counsel is sought.
lisa: yes, this is a great next project! the only skills you need are increasing and decreasing (which your pattern will likely tell you how to do), knitting in the round (unless they’re seamed), casting on, and binding off– which you already know from scarves.
you can totally do these. they will go quickly in the round, too, since there is no turning and purling.1 year ago
Lisa (dinner party): Sarah, can you explain to me how your fingers stay warm? No matter what kind of gloves I wear my fingers are always frozen stiff. Although getting my iPod and metrocard out of my bag would be much easier with these..1 year ago
Sarah: Lisa I, Awesome. Yeah, I think they’re doable. They might not be the best looking mittens on the planet, but they’ll be mine.
Lisa II, Ha, good question. I usually kind of fold my fingers back into wooly part, and have a habit of walking with my hands in my pockets anyway. Somehow it works out…1 year ago
Anonymous: oooooh sarah, do it do it do i!! so long as they are not knitted with dpns, which are the devils work till you are a) very talented or b) a grown up! if they are knitted on the flat then you are good to go, my friend! x1 year ago
Alison: Yup- go for it! Fingerless gloves are perfect! Too bad my sassy grandmother doesn’t live in NYC- she’s taught me to knit mittens!1 year ago
sara: If they’re knit in the round, you may have to learn how to knit on double-pointed needles.
Increasing, decreasing, binding off/casting on are all pretty straightforward. Knitting on DPNs? I have never done it and I consider myself an experienced knitter!
My second project after a scarf was a blanket comprised of different coloured squares. Now I can knit fairisle cardigans but I have always avoided DPNs. Magic-loop is easier for me… you’re gonna do some research on the pattern, I hope!1 year ago
Betsy: I’ve made several pair for friends and family. PEOPLE LOVE THEM! A very logical follow to a scarf. At Christmas time I made sets of gloves like these with a matching calorimetry from Knitty.com. One skein of Cascade 220 for the whole set.1 year ago
Sarah: Whoa, whoa, whoa. You guys lost me. DPNs? Are those double pointed needles? Because these are knit in the round with double pointed needles.
Betsy, What pattern did you use for your gloves?1 year ago
Christine H.: I went from scarves to hats then onto gloves (fingerless, too!). I think it’s a great “next step”. And as for knitting in the round or on DPNs or magic loop or learning cables or whatever!—I taught myself to knit (through this site, mostly) and I never knew any of that stuff was supposed to be “scary”, so I just jumped right into it. I honestly believe those are really basic techniques that anyone can do–really!—just take it slowly.1 year ago
Sarah: Christine, that’s the kind of attitude I like. Just take it one step at a time and it’s possible. Will definitely check out that site. Thanks for the recommendation!1 year ago
Stephanie: It’s a great next step project, not least because you really *want* the finished object so you’ll be more likely to put in a little extra effort to puzzle through the steps that are new to you.
Really, though, the hardest thing about knitting is the first couple stitches you ever did. Once you’re comfortable (or at least familiar) with that motion, everything else is just a variation on a theme.
Good luck! Be fearless! It’s just yarn!1 year ago
Kate: I can’t offer any expert advice, I’m afraid, but I am in the exact same position of needing new fingerless gloves and not being able to find any! I did find a fabulous pattern at the purl bee (http://www.purlbee.com/knitted-fingerless-gloves-patt) which might interest you…1 year ago
Anna: This pattern looks excellent for a relative newbie — I’ve already seen one other non-knitting blogger make these, with good results.
Please don’t be scared by double-pointed needles! They are not hard to use, but the first few rounds will be more challenging as you figure out how to manage 4-5 needles at a time. After that, however, it is super easy. If you’re really not having luck juggling DPNs, you can always use two circular needles.1 year ago
Andrea: I haven’t made these but they seem like they would be pretty easy - just take some time to read and understand the pattern.
DPN’s (double pointed needles) can seem intimidating but they’re not so bad. Basically when you get to the end of a row, instead of flipping your work over to do the next row you continue on to the next needle in an ongoing circle. I learned this technique from a Martha Stewart pattern for Christmas stockings - I don’t have the link but I know it’s still up on her site if you want to look for it.
The bright side of messing up on DPN’s is that when you take your work off the needles (to scrap it) you end up with a crazy knitted “headband” that is good for a lot of laughs with your roommate (just put it on and continue conversing as normal until they notice it and nearly wet themselves laughing). Have fun!1 year ago
Sarah: Stephanie, “Be fearless! It’s just yarn!” should be someone’s blog tagline or would make an excellent t-shirt.
Kate, I think the Martha pattern looks slightly easier than the Purl pattern because its buttonless. Both seem totally doable. Shall we make a pact?
Anna, I’m always up for a challenge.
Andrea, You are too funny. You win the prize for “best mental image” of the day.1 year ago
Leah: I am in the same exact situation… I have only knit scarves, but as soon as I saw the Martha Stewart article, I knew I had to try the fingerless mittens.
I started about a week ago, and it’s going pretty well. The instructions are pretty straightforward, and I have had no problems using the double pointed needles. I haven’t gotten to the part where I have to add in the thumb yet, which seems like the most difficult part, but knitting in the round is really just like regular knitting. I definitely have a few holes and spotty looking patches, but that would have happened even if it was just a scarf!1 year ago
Sarah: Leah, Yes, exactly! I went to go get the needles and yarn today but the knitting shop was closed. But I definitely want to do it now. I’m glad you’ve found it pretty easy — that gives me hope.
1 year ago
Anne @ Pink Galoshes: These are fantastic. They are adorable and functional!1 year ago
Brenda Colleen Leyland: Fun mittens! I tried this womanly and comforting art of knitting several times over the years, but my soul never really knit or purled to it. But I can appreciate and admire the handiwork of other people.
BTW, I’ve given you an award so please check out my post on my blog today.1 year ago
Emily: Sarah- you can totally do this. My first ever non scarf project were Fetchings from knitty.com. I have since made over a 100 pairs for friends and relatives etc. This was in 2006 when a friend of mine got me over my fear of dpns at the bar, yes that’s right we knit at the bar and in restaurants…pretty much anywhere…
I have since knitted many other things but fingerless gloves in the recipient’s fave colour, never fails to please and put a smile on people’s faces.
First scarves are good, but you never forget your first non-scarf!1 year ago
Angela: My second ever project was a hat knitted in the round on double pointed needles. It really wasn’t as scary as I thought it was going to be - and after that I did mittens (also in the round) and socks and a shawl. I’ve never done anything garment sized though.
I think you will get on fine with the fingerless gloves! Go confidently
1 year ago
Samantha: Sarah-
My first project beyond scarves was a simple hat and fingerless gloves. I still have to work on the knack of knitting the thumb, but I found a pattern that only required me to knit on straight needles, and then stitch up the inside, leaving a hole large enough for the thumb to go through the fingerless glove. My soon-to-be neice loved them as one of her Christmas presents this year. So I would have to say a resounding “yes!” to making fingerless gloves as a first non-scarf project!1 year ago
Andi: thanks for stopping by my blog. I’m glad you were inspired to download the MTM theme - it’s good stuff!
good luck with this knitting project!1 year ago
Sarah: Alright, guys, I think these comments equal a resounding “go for it!”1 year ago
Anonymous: Sarah-If you are not ready to take the plunge into dpn’s, there is a pattern for fingerless gloves in Weekend Knitting that are knit flat on two needles and seamed, they are really easy and cute. Good luck, and the dpn’s are not as scary as they look.1 year ago
jill: I’m working on a pair of socks for my husband (they were supposed to be done for christmas) but I really wish I were making a pair of those instead!1 year ago
Emily: My first non-scarf project was a fingerless glove! “A” fingerless glove - pretty and rainbow colored. I never got around to making the second one.
1 year ago
sarah: Ha! It sounds lovely, but yeah, that’s probably what will happen to me.1 year ago
Martha Uniack: My first project was a sweater! Just forge ahead and you’ll do fine. In fact I’ll bet this leads to bigger and better projects - certainly more interesting than scarves. Good luck.1 year ago
k a t: I haven’t seen the martha pattern, but generally fingerless gloves are a good project. Knit in the round, learn to increase and decrease and you can do a simple top down raglan sweater next!1 year ago