With Limited Computer Access

At Ohio University we are now on Winter Break and will be so until January. I am remaining in Athens in order to work as a production assistant at a local publishing company. Hurray! However, my internet access is limited to the times I can go to the library, so no pictures until January unless things change. I did finish off my own pair of Rannoch gauntlets, and wear them every day at work (where the office is freezing!). I'm going to start the Adamas shawl for my grandmother and I ordered the new KnitPicks harmony wood needles! It will be my first shawl and I'm a bit nervous. I hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving and I wish all a merry Christmas to come! (Just hopefully not to stressful with knitting gifts!)

Rannoch Pattern

Apparently people are actually interested in this pattern. I've never written one out before, so hopefully this is intelligible and I don't over-explain everything.

Materials:
worsted weight yarn, roughly 180 yards on the safe side
U.S. size 7 dpns
bit of waste yarn (contrasting color helps)

Abbreviations:
CB: place next 2 stitches on dpn or cable needle, hold to back, K2, then K2 held stitches
CF: place next 2 stitches on dpn or cable needle, hold to front, K2, then K2 held stitches

Staghorn Cable:
Row 1 (and all other odd rows): P2, K16, P2
Row 2: P2, K4, CB, CF, K4, P2
Row 4: P2, K2, CB, K4, CF, K2, P2
Row 6: P2, CB, K8, CF, P2

Repeat rows 1-6 for Staghorn Cable

2x2 Garter Rib:
Row 1: K across needle
Row 2: K2, P2 to end of needle

Repeat rows 1 and 2 for Garter Rib

For both gloves:
CO 42 sts

Divide sts as follows: 10 on 1st needle (needle where your cast-on started), 20 on 2nd (this can be split to 10 & 10 if you prefer a set of 5), 12 on 3rd

Join to begin working in the round. K1, P1 ribbing for 4 rows or longer if you like.

Keep in mind that your join will be the center back (or underside) of your mitt.

When you have finished ribbing, begin working Garter Rib across needle 1. You should end on a knit stitch. On needle 2, work the first row of the Staghorn Cable. Needle 3 will be Garter Rib again, ending on a purl stitch. It helps me to remember that rows where I knit on needles 1 & 3 are the "simple" cable rows.

Continue working in this manner until you have repeated the Staghorn Cable 9 times.

Right Glove:
Work across the first two needles in pattern. K the first 2 sts of needle 3, then, using waste yarn, work the next 6 sts in pattern. Then slip these 6 sts back to the left needle and using working yarn, work them again in pattern and finish round. Skip to both glove finish.

Left Glove:
K the first 2 sts on needle 1, then, using waste yarn, work the next 6 sts in pattern. The rest is the same as Right Glove.

Both Gloves:
Repeat the Staghorn Cable 2 more times, then switch back to K1, P1 ribbing for as many rows as you began with. BO all sts.

Carefully remove the waste yarn from your thumbholes. You should be able to find 6 sts on both top and bottom. Insert dpns. Join new yarn. You can work this in whatever pattern you want, but my thumbs were P2, K2, P2 (1st needle), pick up and K3 on first side, P2, K1 (2nd needle), K1, P2, pick up and K3 on other side (3rd needle).

Work in your chosen pattern 4 rounds, then switch to K1, P1 ribbing for 4 rounds. BO all sts. Repeat for other glove. Weave in all ends.

Enjoy!


Please let me know if there is any problem you find with this pattern. I appreciate positive and negative input. Thanks.

New Mitts for Me!

So, today I finished this mitt. I made it up, though very loosely based on the Dashing pattern. I'm debating writing up the pattern for public use. Anybody actually want it? I'm still working on its mate, but I don't know if I'll be on the internet again any time soon, so I wanted to post it now. I'm calling it Rannoch, which if you've ever read Fire Bringer, you'll understand (Staghorn Cable). I'm cheap, so it's made from Caron Simply Soft in Deep Plum Heather. Enjoy!!!
P.S. Please excuse the crappy pictures...again. And yes, I am arranging my roommate's bonsai tree...

Product Plug

So, I might end up working at Bath and Body Works, but this is not a mindless plug. If you are a knitter and your hands get seriously dried out by working with yarn, I would suggest this Rose Salve. It says it's mainly for lips and dried knees, elbows, etc., but it is great for hands!!! That is all.

Progress and Computer Fun

This is part of a "Boyfriend Sock" designed by slippedstitch, but it's going to be a Christmas present for my sister. Sorry for poor pictures, but this is my first toe-up sock, and I did a short row heel! (After 3 tries) *grumble, grumble*. But I think it's pretty!

Also, please note the unfancy, but new banner!

Dashing, yes?

Life is currently crazy. I got an internship for winter break that will cost me more than I'll earn, but I'm thrilled. Wedding planning is beginning, and finals week is at hand. Christmas knitting is underway, particularly a pair of Boyfriend socks for my sister, a scarf for my uncle, and The Cat has asked for an aran sweater! Do I appear to be Wonder Woman? Mediocre knitter without much time. That's a big request. Anyway, an FO for my friend Sarah.


Dashing by: Cheryl Niamath for Knitty
Red Heart Super Saver in Real Teal and something cranberry-ish

Not so good with the pictures, but she loves them!