I want to make a pair of mittens, and I am consumed with the thrill of the hunt. I’ve spent two days looking now and although I have seen many wonderful mittens, none of them are quite right. I feel like I’ll know it when I see it, but right now I feel pickier than a two year old. I click and click, look and look, and all that I keep thinking is “that’s not it, that’s not it, that’s not it… those are too big and those have too many colours and those have a funny thumb and I don’t want cables and those are the wrong gauge and… it turns out I have all sorts of feelings about mittens. Here (apparently, since I’ve rejected any pattern that doesn’t fit this list) are my criteria.
-The mittens should be fine and fancy, like presents for your hands in the winter. There is very little to bring a woman happiness in February, and I depend on mittens for a great deal of my joy. I have good plain mittens for warmth. These will be for dress. I like ’em fussy.
-They should be two colour mittens, since I have two colours of this beautiful Gauja Wool. I bought it at the Knitters Fair last year (or the year before, I forget) and I’d forgotten how much I was looking forward to using it.
– They should be classic. I love the traditional look of Norwegian, Latvian or Selbu mittens, and I’m yet to embrace the modern non-symetrical mitten like Anemoi. Not saying they aren’t darn pretty, just …. well. That’s not my mitten.
– They should not have squirrels on them, for while that mitten (and these ones) are very pretty, I prefer not to immortalize my enemies. I fear the mittens would be found after I am gone and misinterpreted as reverence rather than irony.
-They should be knit at a gauge for fingering weight wool.
-They should not be too wide, because that’s not an elegant thing in a mitten.
– They should have a pointed top and thumb for I think that dress mittens should always have pointed tops, and there’s almost nothing you can say to convince me otherwise.
-They should not have ribbing, because it turns out that I think that’s for “common” mittens.
– They should not be “fingerless” mittens, because (and I really can’t stress this enough) this is Canada.
– They should not be gloves, for gloves make your fingers all lonely.
– I am enamored of snowflakes, and think that a blue and white snowflake mitten would simply be the bomb. I dream of a pointy snowflake mitten.
-It should be in a book or magazine that I already have (and I have lots) or something that I can download right then and there, because apparently, I think that instant gratification takes too long.
See the problem? I’m apparently rather fussy, but I truly believe that my ideal mitten is out there, and that one of you knows where it is. Mitten hunt, anyone?
(PS: if you want to post a link in the comments, remember to do just one in the body of the comment. My spam software thinks that if you want to leave several URLs that you’re probably up to no good. The spam software doesn’t understand a mitten hunt, and while I could take that feature off, I’d have comments full of manhood advice by sundown.)
(PPS: What the hell is up with my formatting?)
Why don’t you take the design from the Tinks’ sweaters and drop them into your favorite dress mitten pattern?
you’ve rejected euny jang’s anemoi?
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/anemoi-mittens
Pretty snowflake mittens with pointy tops and no ribbing… It’s got to be Anu’s Mittens from Nancy Bush’s Folk Knitting in Estonia.
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/anus-mittens
I made a pair for my mum last Christmas in pale blue and navy, and loved every knitting minute of it.
Sarah
Sarah Anderson’s “Moth Mittens” in the new Homespun Handknit seem pretty darn close to what you’re looking for, though you might also consider these inappropriate homage to those pesky devils. Have to imagine you have the book, as any smart publisher would send the all-powerful Harlot anything worth knitting from. Best on your search!
Now, Sarah, that’s just an unfortunate url . . .
You don’t want a squirrel on your mittens?! Shocking. Just shocking, I tell you.
How ’bout the bird in hand ones, though? Those are cute.
Very true, Charlene! Ravelry needs some punctuation for that one!
I think this pattern would be nice with your blue and white. Has your requirements of no ribbing and is pointy.
http://tuulia.blogspot.com/2008/10/deep-in-forest-mittens.html
If somehow they come out too wide anyway, just know that those of us with 6.5EE feet have EE width hands and can’t buy gloves to fit, period. Find someone who likewise has duckfeet and they will be ecstatic.
And now you know why I moved away from snow country.
http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/en/visoppskrift.php?d_nr=116&d_id=6&lang=en
Garnstudio has lots of great ones but this is my favorite.
DRESS mittens? I like it, but it’s not a concept that has found its way south of the border quite yet. Nor have dress anoraks, dress ski parkas, dress mukluks, etc. I’m getting an interesting picture of Canadian winter evening wear…
There’s a reversible Hat idea from LeesyKnits at http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/basic-lined-hat-pattern-directions. One side looks like snow to me, and the inside, well, to quote: “This will give directions on how to make yourself a two-sided hat, with one public, suitable-for-all-occasions set of patterns; and one private or naughty side depicting the copulating ungulates, or any other stitch work you choose.” Just think of the thrill of having the naughty side in your hand…surely this can be adapted for mittings? Or not. Just sayin’.
I’m afraid I can’t help you with the mitten hunt, and I have no idea what’s up with your formatting. (Remember you just did an “upgrade,” and I suspect the formatting issues are “program features.”) I really feel for Sam, however, and the desperately oversupervised status she has achieved. 🙂
what about these?
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/06-snowbird-mittens
http://www.theknittingvault.com/display.asp?ID=367
They’re not pointy, but you could pointify them
What about those “Bird in Hand” Mittens?? They look lovely…..
http://www.kategilbert.com/ms_birdinhand.html
Wait! Just drop this chart into a mitten pattern!
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fornicating-deer-chart
Oh. Wait. That’s not dressy, per se. My bad.
Design ’em yourself. That is absolutely the only way you are ever going to be happy with them. Or else find a pattern with the basic shape and modify the beans out of it. (What, you think I’ve been reading your blog for 5+ years and don’t know the way you operate? Go forth and design.)
It seems to me you are describing in detail EZ’s Norwegian Mittens from May of the Knitter’s Almanac. I mean, with a snow flake on them instead of whatever that is that I always this is a snow flake but on further reflection must be a flower…
Happy searching.
EZ’s “Knitting Around” has a pointy topped mitten with snowflake without ribbing on fingering weight. Being from California, I’m not really sure what makes a mitten dressy, but it’s pretty.
Mittens with Stars and Stripes chart by kinixys patterns on Ravelry maybe… they are knit in sport weight though.
Do you or your local library have a copy of Folk Knitting in Estonia? There are quite a few mittens in that book that fit your requirements.
I agree with the suggestion for the Deep in the Forest pattern at http://tuulia.blogspot.com/2008/10/deep-in-forest-mittens.html. I’m just not sure about the Snowbird mittens — do you really want ones that actually ask for more snow there in Canada? 🙂
I have the same problem. It’s easier to make what I want than to find it, whether it be a new dress, a quick breakfast (oatmeal cookies. much better than granola bars), or a knitting pattern. Make up your own mittens.
So none of the Selbuvotter mittens will work out for you?
Kate’s Edelweiss mittens?
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/edelweiss-mittens
I think the snowflake pattern on these is awesome…
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/white-witch-mitts
Obviously you’d have to do something about the ribbing and the round top. 🙂
Oooo I love “shopping” for patterns. I’m with you, these days it’s gotta be either a free download or out of a book/pdf I’ve got already!!
That said… do a ravelry search, girl!! I searched for “snowflake mittens” with the free filter on and got 13 choices. Without the free filter, a really nice looking pattern from “Folk Mittens” called Selbu Mittens, it’s got a pretty snowflake pattern, and being a Selbu pattern, well, it’s got most of what you had in your list of criteria. Dammit, now I’m wanting to knit some snowflake mittens… 😛
Darn, the Selbu Mittens pattern calls for worsted weight yarn. Maybe you have enough yardage to knit doubled??
Well, without knowing what “too wide” is, and what books or magazines you have, (and not quite knowing why someone with think “fingerless” counts as a mitten), here are my suggestions, based on what I’ve got in my Ravelry queue and favorites:
– “Nordic Mittens”, Interweave Knits Winter 2004. GOOD: Fancy, with a snowflake pattern, although the background is striped plenty have made it in two colors and it looks great, fingering-weight gauge, pointed tops, and no squirrels. BAD: They do have corrugated ribbing, but as that doesn’t pull in like a traditional ribbing I personally don’t count the technique as “ribbing” (you’ve been warned).
– “Mittens with stars and stripes chart”. Note: not the USA kind of “Stars & Stripes Forever” sort of a thing. GOOD: Fancy, classic, pointy, snowflakes, no ribbing; calls for sport but you could probably use fingering okay. Free download on Ravelry, so the book thing isn’t a problem. BAD: Um, aside from the “calls for sportweight”, I can’t see anything you wouldn’t like, unless they’re not “classic” enough.
– “116-7 Mittens with pattern in ‘Karisma'” by DROPS. GOOD: Although modern, still fancy and harkens to a classic look; two-color; a cuff without ribs of any kind; snowflakes; squirrelless; free pattern (so it doesn’t matter if you don’t have the book). BAD: Erm…DK weight (8 ply). Which really doesn’t help you at all. But do I delete this? Nope. Gonna pull an Eddie Izzard on this one. Moving along…
– “Postwar Mittens” by Mary Ann Stephens from the Twist Collective. GOOD: fancy, pointy, classic, fingering weight, no ribbing, snowflake-ish motifs on the cuffs. BAD: Uses a third color, probably isn’t a pattern you already have (unless you’ve already downloaded it).
– “Edelweiss Mittens” bu Kate Gagnon Osborn. GOOD: free download, fingering-weight, fancy, pointy, classic, no ribbing, and not a squirrel to be seen. BAD: might take a third accent color, and I’m not sure these are snowflaky enough.
– “Graph 53 – District Unknown” by Lizbeth Upitis from Latvian Mittens. GOOD: fancy, pointy, two-color, no ribbing, no squirrels, fingering weight. BAD: I don’t quite know if that pattern counts at all towards snowflakiness.
Actually, there were quite a few from “Latvian Mittens” that I thought might fit your criteria. “Folk Knitting In Estonia”, too.
– After doing an advanced search on Ravelry for fingering-weight, mittens/gloves, knitting, with about three different tag styles for “fair isle”, I found about half a billion (slight exaggeration) patterns from “Selbuvotter: Biography of a Knitting Tradition” which meet most of your criteria (primarily: fancy, classic, two-color, fingering-weight, ribbing-free, snowflake-rich, squirrelless). This includes: Annemor #13; NHM #1, #2, #3, and #7.
But you’d supposedly have already checked those, since it seems to be a fairly well-known book.
If nothing else, I’ve found about 10 more patterns to add to my already burgeoning Ravelry queue (or my overflowing Faves). Hell, I’m thinking of picking up “Selbuvotter”, and my colorwork skills are somwhere between “beginner” and “crap”.
Oh, NHM #8, too. Damn, I gotta buy that book. Pretty, pretty two-color mittens…
I saw these the other day.
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/indiehands/freudmittens
No ribbing, pointy tops, two colours. But no pattern….
These fail the ribbed cuffs test but two colors, pointy, snowflake, and available pattern pass!
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/snowdrift-mittens
Just for the record (having no bearing on the mitten hunt) there is plenty to bring a woman happiness in February in Arizona. Margaritas on the patio, for example, or gardening, or hiking to see the wildflowers which are just starting to bloom…
How about the Ruba’iyat Mittens by Heather Desserud on Ravelry? They are quite dressy and
have lovely designs on the pointy thumbs.
Kate Gilbert has a lovely pattern called “bird in hand”.
Anna Zilboorg’s book Magnificent Mittens have pointy tops and pointy thumbs, as well as no ribbing… there are charts in the back for designing your own… go for it!!
Pointy and colourful: http://exercisebeforeknitting.com/vespergyle-mittens/
not a snow flake but close
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/chrysanthemum-mittens
Another vote for Edelweiss.
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/edelweiss-mittens
Kate tells me they run small, so they’d probably suit your hands well. Also, any mitten that evokes Captain Von Trapp is a mitten to be knit ASAP.
Yes, Norwegian Mittens (May)
by Elizabeth Zimmermann are the perfect choice-how can you go wrong with EZ?
My problem is which of the Selbuvotter or Selbustrikk patterns to make next, and what 2 colors from my seemingly infinite stash of fingering weight to combine. I have been known to get lost in Ravelry searches for such things. Good luck on your quest.
I know the feeling, you have something in mind and nothing else will do!
I see someone else has already suggested these but I love, love, love them:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/white-witch-mitts
You could easily do them with pointed tops and two colors instead of three.
They do call for sportweight but heck, you could alter that too and use fingering. They are just beautiful.
On a slightly more serious note, I love the mittens from the Almanac
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/norwegian-mittens-may
a bit snowflakey, no ribbing, pointed, +zimmerman
These just got posted on Ravelry along with a couple other gorgeous ones and their matching hats: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/inga-snoflinga-mittens
I’m another vote for EZ’s Norwegian Mittens for May in the Knitter’s Almanac.
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/norwegian-mittens-may
I may have to make these next for myself!
my dear lady, you may have to just make up your own pattern. I’m sure you can do it.
http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter06/PATTcorazon.html
These are for DK weight, but I think they could be done in fingering, especially since -as you are petite- you probably don’t have giant hands
These sound like your perfect mitten, 2 colors, snowflakes, latvian, no ribbing, and pointed fingers and thumb. http://www.ravelry.com/projects/strikkehedda/annemor-15-2. I want to make them too, they were in my favorites on ravelry
oh bummer- those ones have ribbing.
In that case I submit these, which also meet none of your requirements, but other mitten hunters might enjoy
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pirate-mittens
These claim to be written for Sport weight yarn, but the gauge is 30 st to 4 in. And the colors are perfect. And they’re gorgeous. Very Turkish looking, but written by someone from Finland who has to know what cold is like. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/egyptian-mittens
Another vote for EZ’s Norwegian Mittens!
And right about now (well, probably not NOW because it’s the middle of the night in Europe) Casey is wondering why every pattern search is for snowflake mittens.
How about some of the Maine mittens in Foxes, Geese and Fences? I made the sawtooth ones in delft-blue and white alpaca for my Mom, and my Dad tried them on and he looked so wistful, I made him a pair of Irish chain in forest and white wool. Irish chain is beautiful.
DRESS mittens? I think you have to do the Anu’s mittens, just for the funny URL (why, yes; I *am* a 12 y/o boy).
Good luck! Beautiful yarn! I’m sure by now you’re halfway with first mitten which is someone’s pattern extensively modified. For the dressiness, try some loose lacy stuff on the cuff.
The Anemoi look good, but look too complex for me, regardless of the fact I’m a Librian [air = wind]. And yes, squirrels are a bit no-no for gloves.
As for the formatting, could it be the software itself? I notice it doesn’t show the ones previous the update. Hm.
Could you not find a good basic pattern (there is one in Patons book 148, Gifts and Accessories on page 20) and work a pattern into that? Every Canadian knitter over the age of 30 probably has a copy of this booklet.
Finding a graph then would be easier than finding the entire mitten pattern.
http://tuulia.blogspot.com/2008/10/deep-in-forest-mittens.html
Scroll down the right sidebar to the Daina Mitten. It’s free and might be what you are looking for. But, while you are there, take a look at her other patterns…gorgeous!
do you have Folk Mittens by Marcia Lewandowski?
I’m looking at a pointy mitten pattern with snowflakes at the cuff. Setesdal mitten,s they’re called. page 45. Possibly not fussy enough, though. But the photo is in blue and white, and I am nothing if not swayed by samples in front of me. (this has cost me hundreds of dollars at the bookstore. those “great summer reads!” displays? those are like venus flytraps for my wallet.)
Ooooh! the Selbu mittens on the next page look nearly perfect, save for a ribbed cuff. Perhaps a frankenmitten is in order.
ooh! ooh! the greek mitten on page 74.
ahem. I could go on. If you happen to have to book, flip it open. Me, I’m finding some wool…
I agree about Tuulia’s patterns. I like the Egyptian Mittens:
http://www.theknittingvault.com/display.asp?ID=367
oops, here’s the ravelry link:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/egyptian-mittens
Don’t really have any answers for you, but the previous posters have added a number of mittens to my queue!
If you do end up making up your own pattern though the stitch pattern on the Porcupine hat (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/porcupine-hat) from Veronik Avery’s St-Denis magazine is a really good snowflake one and could be adapted.
EZ’s mittens in “Homespun, Handknit”? It’s been a while since I looked at the book, but I think hers are what you’re looking for? Good luck!
What about one of the Komi Mitten patterns by Charlene Schurch? If I remember correctly, some of the patterns don’t have ribbing in the cuff area and they have a somewhat pointed tip and thumb. If you want a snowflake pattern, I’m sure you could design your own using the basic Komi pattern as a template. I just finished my second pair and started on my third! I have average-ish hands in terms of size and these fit wonderfully.
Sorry, one additional comment – about half of the patterns use fingering weight while the other half of the patterns use sport. I knit my two pairs in the “adult size medium”.
Someone just posted these as finished today on Ravelry – I immediately thought of them when I read your post
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/siven/setesdal-mittens-for-men
Carol Anderson’s Mighty Mitts. Functional, i.e. thick, cushy and warm, plus beautiful Norwegian styling, plus full size range that really fits well. These are the mitts my family reaches for when they run out the door.
Do you have the book “Latvian Mittens, Traditional Designs and Techniques” by Lizbeth Upitis? On p.59, Plate 5, bottom left on the colour plate, is a blue and white, pointy-tipped mitten with no ribbing that looks snowflake-like or could be modified. Page 60, Plate 6, top, has some more options also.
If you don’t have the book and want to see, I have a scanner and could try to email you.
how about these?
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/AlienSunset/generic-mitten-pattern
i know they have ribbing, but it wouldn’t be too difficult to substitute a gauntlet wrist.
As it happens I’m a mitten fan. Depending on your chart reading abilities, since the book is in Finnish, I’d say perhaps you should look at this page – http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/sata-kansanomaista-kuviokudinmallia
or perhaps – if you favor Estonian –
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/folk-knitting-in-estonia
Or my go to book -Robin Hansens http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/favorite-mittens – or the version shaped like a mitten.
Um….I did say I liked mittens. You could probably just leaf through the mitten books in my Rav library and find one or three, because I haven’t even started on Selbuvotter or Norwegian Handknits yet…..
Do you have Anna Zilbourg’s Magnificent Mittens? Lots to love in that book. Do what it takes, sell your first born (well, second, since the first is traveling) to buy a copy. But my favorite mittens are bird in hand, on Rav http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bird-in-hand by Kate Gilbert. Although the pattern says worsted, they are 9 sts/in, meant to be worked TIGHT (I need a sheath to do it), but of course, many people do them with sock yarn at a sane tension.
OR were the adorable birds on the thumb what you mean by not wanting funky thumbs?
Oh my, I like these:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/nhm-1
but I suppose they work only if you have the book!
i once saw a lovely pair of vintage snowflake pattern mittens over on anny purls site (they were done in cream and celery, but could be worked in blue and white). and although she doesn’t seem to blog anymore, i’m pretty sure you can still access her site (annypurls.blogspot.com) and see her archive of projects etc.
I made a pair of Wedding Mittens, and they feel very fine and fancy to me. Scroll down towards the bottom of the linked page to see them. There are several interesting patterns on this page, too.
http://www.joridweb.com/butikk/shop.html
Another Upitis Latvian option: Graph 108. They’re even in your yarn colors! And very fancy.
I’m seconding the Edelweiss pattern!
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/edelweiss-mittens
Have you ever seen Johanne Landin AKA Born To knit patterns? Here’s a link on The Loopy Ewe, although I think you would have to wait for the printed page and not download immediately.
http://www.theloopyewe.com/browse/patterns/born-to-knit/
Oooooh, I second “Graph 53” from the Latvian mittens book, if you don’t have a copy, I know there is one at the Metro Reference Library in the open shelves.
I was going to mention the Vespergyle mittens, but I see someone already beat me to it. I was just pointed to the pattern last night and I adore them – classy, straightforward, and otherwise meeting all of your criteria. One day when I’ve plowed through some of the UFO’s already on my plate, I plan on making myself a pair.
These fail the rib quality BUT that could be easily altered
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/110-39-mittens-with-star-pattern-in-karisma
I know it says star but I feel the star looks like a snowflake
Okay, it just struck me that the Vespergyles do have corrugated ribbing, but it’s not as though that’s real ribbing, right?
I am currently working on the Snowbird mittens from the Fall 2008 issue of Vogue Knitting Magazine. LOVE the “Let it Snow!” They do have corrugated ribbing at the cuff, but the two colors make it look better than a simple 1×1 ribbing. I am enjoying the pattern a lot!
The Poetry Mittens in the Jan/Feb 2008 issue of Piecework magazine lack snowflakes and have ribbing, so they fail to meet all of your criteria. They are very charming though with the words of the Mitten Poem knit into them evoking images of swirling snow and dancing firelight. I love to wear mine and have started on a second pair, sans ribbing, as a gift for my niece. On a soul sucking minus 20 something winter day I find comfort and joy when I look at my poem clad hands.
My fave mitten patterns are Robin Melanson’s from her book “knitting new mittens and gloves”. YOu know though, you COULD just adopt a “fingerless” pattern for full mitts easily enough. The twilight mitt’s from IK are nice too and several people adapted them for full mitts. Can’t wait to see what you decide on!
Toshiyuki Shimada has written some exquisite mitten patterns based off of traditional Scandinavian and Fair Isle designs:
http://www.ravelry.com/designers/toshiyuki-shimada-
I bought Knit Concerto just for the Wisteria Mittens pattern…
There are 5 lovely norwegian mitten patterns with non-ribbed cuffs and points at garnstudio.com But to get exactly what you want pick different bits of designs you like from existing patterns and design your own.
Alright, everyone can stop right now :). I’m about to pull out yarn and dpn and knit me up a pair of mitttens and I DO NOT wear mittens, I have nothing against them or those that wear them,it’s just that I’m a glove wearer, probably the same kind of argument as straight vs circular is. Maybe, I’ll go cast on a sock or something to take the edge off, if I search for mitten yarn tomorrow then I’ll know I’m a goner, LOL.
I am starting mittens too! I am a Georgia girl just trasnplanted to Michigan, so I really need some. Have fun!
http://tuulia.blogspot.com/2008/10/deep-in-forest-mittens.html
Lovely mittens by a Lovely Finnish Gal!
This is the best of all of your requirements that I can find. The emblems look like snowflakes, not ribbed at the cuffs, pointy, two toned, symmetrical styled.
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/egyptian-mittens
I’m making them myself and they are very slim.
“Flying Geese and Partridge Feet” by Robin Hansen and Jeanetta Dexter has “Labrador Snowflake Mittens.” They are pointy, two-color, have a snowflake, but a ribbed cuff. But the beginning of the book has alternate, stockinette cuffs. I made the snowflake design on a baby sweater once and have made a lot of these mittens. I wish I lived closer, I would loan you the book.I don’t think this pattern made it into their more recent book, “Favorite Mittens.” But maybe you have “Flying Geese and Partridge Feet.” Anyway, cheers! I have made mostly mittens in my knitting career so this is very entertaining. I loved the one you made out of that golden wool you spun.
Here in Nova Scotia we still have red squirrels. They do not steal fiber, and are not menacing. Their only crime is raiding the bird feeders, but, hey, everyone needs to eat. So why not put them on your mittens? As underdogs so to speak.
I love the idea of dress mittens, I will be learning to make mittens starting Sunday and I am doing the Fiddle Head mittens (from Ravelry) in blue and white, I think they will look stunning once finished and I never thought of wearing them as nice mittens during the Canadian winters, but this year that might be just the thing since we seems to be getting colder winters here out west! Good luck on your search.
Fiddlehead Mittens!
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fiddlehead-mittens
These is one of my favorite, but I don’t know if it would work with your colors:
http://www.kategilbert.com/ms_birdinhand.html
Good luck with your search–I’m anxious to see what you come up with!
I created this chart with one big snowflake. It could totally be adapted to the mitten of your choice (let me know if you would like me to do it, and it shall be done)
Plus you can have a scarf and hat to match if you wanted!
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/norwegian-snowflake-scarf
What about Inga Snöflinga Mittens by Johanne Landen? I just saw that one on Ravelry yesterday, and I really like them! I bet you could make them pointier….
Hold on one second there, missy thing. I want to see the cuff on those lovely, golden handspun mittens. You know you’ll want a cuff on them, come February.
What a great post and fantastic lot of comments. I’ve had so much fun cutting and pasting all the links. I’m voting Egyption Mittens, too.
I also like the Ruba’iyat Mittens by Heather Desserud. Really pretty design and uses the traditional Scandinavian shape– pointy tip and stranded cuffs.
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rubaiyat-mittens
Well, this is only marginally related, but someone suggested we see if you can’t make the Harlot Effect work to get a sock knitter to the South Pole: http://www.blogyourwaytoantarctica.com/blogs/view/632
i can’t wait to see what you choose!
I’m sure I’m at least the 20th person to say this, but do you know the book Folk Mittens by Marcia somebody who spent a lot of time in S. America? There’s a snowflake pattern in there. I think she says everything calls for worsted weight yarn, but the gauge listed says different. I also recently picked up a lovely book at a used bookstore called “Knitting Fair Isle Mittens and Gloves” by Carol Rasmussen Noble with lots of lovely options. The designs in there use many shetland colors, as per tradition, but there’s at least one snowflake design that could easily be done in just 2 colors. Everything in there is fingering weight, for sure.
In February, I’m yearning for lilacs. I love these mittens, they are perfect little lilac blooms: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lilac-mittens
I didn’t see that it was mentioned already but I am in love with the Potpourri mitts from VK fall 08:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/08-potpourri
I’m planning on doing mine in 2-colour reversing the background for the wrist. They would indeed look lovely in your blue and white!
If you don’t have the magazine and don’t want to buy the whole back issue, I can scan in each page and e-mail it to you. JUST KIDDING!!!
I think these are the fanciest, with the fringe and the braid:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/graph-53—district-unknown
Have you seen these? They’re finger weight, pointed, beautiful, that’s not real ribbing there, trust me, and nobody else has mentioned them: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/smaragdi-mittens
Steph, dunno if you will find this helpful at all, but, as I HATE mittens, I want to offer you the opportunity to be as captivated with these mittens as I was as soon as I saw them. So I guess I don’t hate ALL mittens. Oh, and – your list? Well, my list now isn’t as set-in-stone as once was, so I offer these up as a possible surprise for you, too.
You are hilarious. And I completely understand the hunt. Best of luck.
Look at Brooklyntweed’s Komi Mittens and Shetland Mittens. Komi is rather fantastic. :O)
goodness, I don’t know how you’re going to actually get through all of these ideas with any better view of what you’d like to do than when you began!!! my vote though will be cast toward Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Norwegian mittens – maybe “knitting around” or “knitter’s almanac”….?
I have to second the vote for the mittens from Garnstudio. I’m dying to make some but haven’t tried anything like that yet.
I found the “Egyptian Mittens,” too and love them. I see snowflakes in the Egyptian motif? There’s no ribbing, and they’re quite pointy!
Look forward to seeing what you end up making…!
Selbuvotter-NHM#14 They have snowflakes, pointy tips, an eyelet lace cuff (no rib) and are knit in Jamieson’s Spindrift. I made a pair last winter (we have cold winters here in Michigan) and they are warm and beautiful! Good luck on your search!
I just wanted to point out that I misspelled my own name. I couldn’t let it go.
No suggestions – but I am now also obsessed with slim, snow-flaked, dressy mittens…
What about the Anatolian Mittens from Folk Mittens? Those look pretty danged awesome to me.
Oddly enough, I just started a pair of gloves (half-finger for Connecticut) because I know they will bring great satisfaction in February. Although I might be allergic to the alpaca…
have you considered what another blogger, Grumperina, tried to do (knit the Anemoi mittens using the Lillyfield mittens motif and adding in a pointed top)? Complicated, but might look really good in that blue&white. Or more generally, find a shape you like and a design you like and squish them together.
Well, if nothing else, you’ve sucked someone else into your madness. Two hours ago I was happy making a pair of Sunday Swing socks. Now my life won’t be complete until I knit a pair of Anemoi mittens. And they must be bright purple and white.
I have the attention span of a gnat.
Selbuvotter!
Just cast them on and get started. I am certain that your perfect mittens will emerge.
That’s funny because I am having the same problem. I started out with yellow harvest in malabrigo but the yarn/pattern combo wasn’t good and then I went to a Rose Wilson Anderson traditional Norwegian patter in plain worsted and my gauge was off. Now I’m going to try the Druid mittens in malabrigo sock. Third times a charm, right?
Looks like you’re going to have to write up your own pattern. For fair isle it’s not hard and there are two ways to do it.
1) Find a mitten pattern you already like. Take off whatever motif it already has and substitute your own.
2) Design your own pattern from completely from scratch. Mittens aren’t hard to design and this way you can play with stitch count to make your motif fit.
Good luck! If you can write a NYT best selling book you can find a mitten pattern.
Irena suggests these daina mittens: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/daina-mittens
I have to agree with the person who mentioned the Labrador Snowflake Mittens from Flying Geese and Partridge Feet by Robin Hansen and Jeanetta Dexter. You might note be able to get your hands on the book, but I’m willing to bed that these are the same mittens that my great grandmother made for me growing up in Newfoundland. I’m completely obsessed with finding this book now. There are also these: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/north-star-mittens by the same designer (probably the same mittens) The book is relatively easy to find in most libraries. You might be able to find something from Joe’s family, I don’t know if your MIL knits or not but if so she might have just the thing. For me the snowflake style was always a tradition Newfoundland mitten.
And when you give up and admit that you have to get the picture out of your head, here’s a ready-made Norwegian mitten graph/template to start with:
http://www.helloyarn.com/mitten.pdf
Tuulia’s Egyptian Mittens are so beautiful. Good luck with your search. I can’t wait to see what you choose.
Look at Anna Zilboorg’s mittens. They’re my faves (though I’ve had the book for a year and have yet to muster up the discipline to knit them. Yarn’s been sitting here that long, too).
I think the pair at the top here are lovely, but I think these are kits.
http://www.nordicfiberarts.com/mittens_f.htm
Every other pattern I’ve found has come from the Selbuvotter book. That’s an amazing book, there.
Hmmmm… dress mittens… A strange concept; isn’t it just as cold when you are dressed up as it is other times? Isn’t that why we wear our Lobben boots or Steger mukluks to dog sledding events and the Symphony both, here in Fairbanks? Just putting a dress on is cold enough without sacrificing my hands and feet! That said, I am with Angela; I make mittens every other year from Flying Geese and Partridge Feet (they wear out every other year), and it is usually Fleur-de-Lis and Diamonds, because that pattern leaves the most finger dexterity.
When you find that perfect snowflake mitten, let me know. I too love the snowflake.
These
http://pamsknitting.blogspot.com/2006/09/blast-from-past.html
are perhaps the most beautiful mittens I’ve ever knit. You might wander towards Anna Zilboorg’s Magnificent Mitten book & see what catches your eye. These are a bit of a hybrid, as her book encourages you in that direction. They are fascinating to make & beautiful. Perhaps not truly traditional, but traditionalish.
How about these? They’re lovely with solid yarns and are beautiful with handspun yarn as well.
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Allspunup/deep-in-the-forest-mittens
It’s not an instant download but it’s a gorgeous pattern and seems to fit all your requirements otherwise. I just ordered my copy and can’t wait for it to arrive.
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/inga-snoflinga-mittens
oooooooooh, do I HATE it when I do that……..
http://www.interweavestore.com/Knitting/Patterns/Holly-and-Poinsettia-Mittens.html
Posted by: alfalfacats at September 11, 2009 9:52 PM
sorry, lol :*)
I think you should check out the postwar mittens in Twist Collective, they’re not quite snowflakes, but still awesome.
I also really love the entemology mittens, but they’re 2 color bug mittens, not 2 color snowflake mittens…
Terri Shea’s Selbuvotter book!
Anu’s Mittens by Nancy Bush. I started a pair last year. I think I’ll get them out and start knitting again.
Have you read “My Cat Jeoffry” by Christopher Smart? Not a long poem. I think you channeled his spirit today writing that post. http://42opus.com/v4n2/mycatjeoffry Has nothing at all to do with mittens.
I had no idea until just now that there was even such an item as “Dress Mittens”. I must do research. All I ever thought of mittens was that they hang on a string out of the sleeves of children’s coats.
How about the Snowbird Mittens from the Vogue Knitting, Fall 2008 magazine? They are blue and white, fingering weight, and adorable!
I also encourage consideration of EZ’s Norwegian snowflake mitten from “Knitter’s Almanac.” Some adjustment for gauge, maybe…
xo 🙂 a
Elizabeth Zimmerman classic Norwegian mittens in the Knitters Almanac or Knitting Around. I’m not sure if the gauge is right but you are so talented you will adapt.
I can’t wait to see what you come up with. :o)
I have one more place for you to try. “The Mitten Book” by Inger and Ingrid Gottfridsson has many 2 color designs; all have pointy tips and few have ribbing. You might want to check out “Stars” on page 76 and “Snowstar” on page 102. These are all traditional Swedish patterns.
Others to consider that haven’t been mentioned so far:
“A Year of Mittens” by Wool You Order
“Hats On” by Charlene Schurch (not mittens, but lots of snowflake designs)
If your knitting library is anywhere close to the size of mine, you probably have at least one of these books.
Jamie
Have you seen this book Stephanie?
http://www.needleartsbookshop.com/knitting_books/Selbuvotter.html
It appears to be right up your alley…..chock full of pointy mittens
I don’t know if you have this pattern book or not, but these look pretty dressy to me: Patons Snowflake Ski Band and Mitts http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/snowflake-ski-band-and-mitts
Good luck with your search!
I second the Snowdrift mittens:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/snowdrift-mittens
I’m sure you can figure out something cute to do in place of the ribbing, like two-color corrugated ribbing.
Since you have been searching, you have probably seen all that I could suggest. But I would like to say that the Finnish mittens seem most elegant to me in shape and fit…long, often without ribs and they look narrow…see Lene’s or Maud’s for example.
Lene’s twined mittens are to die for but you need z-spun yarn and would, like, have to embroider the snowflakes.
And of course you got to take that class with Susannah! But Rovaniemi’s are not what you’re after this time. I just wish you the best of luck and can’t wait to see what you come up with!
What about Hippocampus?
The pattern is written for Kauni Effect Yarn, but here is a two-tone version that looks very elegant:
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/torirot/hippocampus
It’s pointy.
Apologies to Susanna…I spelled her name incorrectly and just noticed.
For perfectly interesting but not girly snowflakey mitten goodness, I would recommend the mitten “Born to Knit” just put out in the Loopy Ewe. Blogged here as the Inga Snowflinga mittens: http://borntoknit.typepad.com/born_to_knit/
Here’s a Latvian style pattern with pointy hand and thumb, available as a PDF. It’s fingering weight with scalloped cuffs. It’s knit in 4 colors but I think would look good as a two color pattern. And it’s waves instead of snowflakes, something to remind you of warmth and summer as you struggle through cold and winter.
http://www.freewebs.com/spillyjane/Sea%20Mineral%20Mittens.pdf
Try Selbuvotter: Biography of a Knitting Tradition by Terri Shea. Several mitten patterns, some that meet your criteria. Annemore #16. Short cuff, pointy top and thumb, snowflake pattern, would look wonderful in your colors.
No one has pointed out these beauties yet:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/no-95-kotka
I think Haavisto has a lot of cool mittens, the drawback being you probably don’t have the book. But you can order it online, they’re reprinting it now. I would know. Hee hee.
(Butterflies in Winter – how great would that be?)
Oh my crap — I firmly belive that my Polska Mittens are exactly what you’re looking for: blue and white; pointy; fancy; fine-gauge; mostly two colours; not fingerless; not gloves. i can go on (AND ON.) I have lots of fancy fine-gauge mitten patterns for your perusal over at http://www.ravelry.com/designers/spillyjane
i think these are beautiful:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/signe
and now they’re in my queue. i’m not sure how looking for patterns for someone else for a project
i’m not even interested in resulted in this but i guess i’ll just go with it. off to the yarn store tomorrow.
Just saw the pattern for the Inga Snoflinga Mittens on The Loopy Ewe – this might be right up your alley.
I’m thinking, I’m with Kalita and the Annemor #16
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/annemor-13
from Selbuvotter :: Biography of a Knitting Tradition by Terri Shea may be the way to go.
My second choice would be Frostrosen Mittens by Nordic Fiber Arts. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/frostrosen-mittens
check out this blog you might find what you are looking for http://www.borntoknit.typepad.com/
Why not print out your gauge in a checkered paper and start designing your very own mittens? That way you can get all of your criteria as you would liek them.
Sorry for my bad english.
/Julia
You know exactly what you want. Draw it on graph paper, and do it.
I didn’t read the comments before posting. I’m guessing that at least 50 people have already said this.
am so in love with this mitten hunt…. cannot wait to see who solves the puzzle for you, for i KNOW I too have already seen the pattern of your dreams, yet cannot seem to recall where right now…
so am sending good knitting karma out your way that the pattern finds you soon.
How about instead you send San Francisco some snow (it’d be hilarious to see SF go berzerk) and we’ll send you some fog for which you don’t need mittens because you’re a strong Canadian and it would be an admission of weakness.
I second the vote for Latvian mittens #4, graph 53, although apparently they run large, to quote gully1 on ravelry “size grizzly bear”. Mascha2 solved this problem by only casting on 80 stitches and putting them in the dryer when they were done. After their shrinking they seem narrow to me. On ravelry, sunnydayknitter made Lidiia’s mittens, based on Liddia’s gloves by Nancy Bush. Perhaps not instant gratification enough. I am not sure about the yarn for either one.
It’s way too late, but I had to add one more – these have no snowflakes, but they seem to fit most of the remaining criteria – and I think they’re definitely classy, if not altogether dressy . . .
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lotus-leaf-mittens
These don’t fit your needs in a few areas – you’d need to put a top on them and they do have ribbing…. but “personally” I think they’re very dressy!! ;)which of course means they should at least be considered! http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/marvelous-mitts/people
How about this one? Available free on ravelry.
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/edelweiss-mittens
I “heart” Kate.
Snowflakes… snow… Let it snow! Vogue Knitting, last year: http://dutchknittingkitten.blogspot.com/2008/11/black-hole.html, these are mine 😉
http://knittingincolor.blogspot.com/
Nanette’s using a sock pattern from the new IK for mittens and they are turning out rather nice. Maybe this one (or she might have some other inspirations on her site). I, too, have been searching for the perfect pair for myself for a month now.
Piecework a few months ago had great dressy…gloves. But it does seem an easy thing to not make fingers. They were lovely, lacy, elegant…gloves. Sigh. On my list.
I see a few people have suggested these already, but I thought they were worth another mention as they do seem to meet all of your criteria.
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/egyptian-mittens
I second these mittens. I think they are very elegant, and the snowflakes have nice detail. Also, they would be very pretty in the colors you have.
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/strikkehedda/annemor-15-2
Not sure if anyone has posted this already – and it does lack a few things (like you would need to put a top on them but I am sure that would be easy for you to work out “ducks”) but thought these defintely looked like dress mittens (no ribbing, fine gauge….though not snowflakes..) http://mittens.se/Gratis/rose.pdf
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/beaded-winter-wonderland-socks While I think these are way cool socks, i also think they could be way way cool mittens….and someone with your expertiece could do just that…
This post actually reminded me of a great mitten pattern that’s been in my queue forever! How about the Northern Lights mittens?
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/northern-lights-mittens/people
I’m not sure if the cuffs are ribbed or just fair-isled to look like ribs. Two colors, pointy-ish, snowflaky. My favorite are JGM’s in the orange and grey.
Thanks for reminding me of this pattern!
The first two I thought of are Interweave’s White Witch mitts and Kate Gilbert’s “Bird in Hand.” Already mentioned by others but seconded by me.
Doesn’t the book “Small Sweaters” by Lise Kolstad and Tone Takle have a whole collection of blue/white snowflake accessories? Worth a peek if you already own it.
Seriously? It looks like you need to examine mittens with the shape you like and start designing babe. No excuses … your perfect mitten DNE (math abbr for does not exist) and it should really be brought forth.
I’ve never knit these mittens before, but I liked the modern, unusual look to them.
Wow – that was fun and I can’t wait to see what you choose. I’m also glad I live in central Florida where we have very little use for mittens at all and none whatsoever for dress mittens. (A good pair of leather gloves and I’m set.) I don’t need to add more to my ‘want to knit’ list.
*puzzled* But you already did knit the perfect Latvian mittens back in 2004! (Even though the braiding gave you headaches)
http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/2004/09/27/queen_of_the_world.html
I mean, it’s true that graph 53 from the same book looks pretty good, and now you’ve infected me with longing to go buy the Selbuvottker and Latvian mitten books… but I’m pretty sure you really did nail it the first time around. They were perfect, awesome mittens. (I’m sure you did some mods, but they’re somewhere at the back of your brain, right? Or written down in the margins of the book?)
How about these mittens? I like the modern, unusual look to them:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/carolas-mittens
How about?
http://www.maud.prettyposies.com/finnishmittengallery.htm
The top mitten is really pretty and I bet you’d know how to “pointyize” the thumb.
Or maybe?
http://riihivilla.blogspot.com/2007/06/lapaspaketteja-kits-for-mittens.html
I seem to recall you mentioning these a while back.
You’ve got the Selbu book? Or this? http://www.denisesneedleworks.com/ItemPage.html?Id=124
Time to get out the graph paper…
I can’t read all the comments, but I am fond of the Swirly mittens on ravelry. The same idea without the interruptedness of Anemoi.
I open up your site today, and the first thing I said was “She has my yarn”! I have those exact two colours of Guaja (along with several others). Then I think “Did Harlot come to Orangeville for some reason and I didn’t know?!” (That’s where the store is) but I read you bought them last year at K-W; so it’s appropriate I’m reading it today because it’s the first day I’ve missed it in years.
The issue of Vogue knitting from last year with Jared Flood’s mittens on the front; has a pair of mittens inside in blue and white, one says “Let it” and the other says “Snow”. Don’t recall the gauge though. I can’t wait to find out what you make as I have lots of this yarn too!
Not exactly snowflakes, but really cute flowers
http://blog.morkland.org/2008/02/resultatet-av-designeralogen/
Two colours, not a ribbed cuff, pointy. Gorgeous. (I think the pattern is in english)
i’d like to second the chrysanthemum mitts mentioned earlier…but if you’re up for designing and need inspiration, these are lativian charts (no stitch counts, probably need enlarged, etc…but give you lots of flexibility!) i found online…there are some snowflake-y things and some really awesome things that aren’t snowflakes 🙂
http://www.liis.lv/majtur/darbmac/raksti.htm
I have a sticky full of notes in Selbuvotter to combine my favorite parts of various patterns into one wonderful set of mittens. I’ve been ignoring that sticky to finish my nephew’s sweater (his birthday is today); I’d better get cracking on the yoke. I think I know what I’m doing to celebrate my birthday tomorrow – might even need new yarn!
Good luck with your search.
Lots of people’s suggestions were already in my faves/queue, but I just added a few more.
Check out these STUNNING mittens I just found:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/inga-snoflinga-mittens
In case you overlooked the book Homespun Handknit (Linda Ligon)look at page 111. It might satisfy you…hope so…
I am just loving the fact you tweeted a few days ago that the inbox is threatening to eat you alive, and you couldn’t foresee what would happen when you post “Does anyone know……….”
LOL!
I’m not certain if this pattern book has been recommended, but I knit a pair of mittens two years ago that seem to match your criterion except for the ribbed cuffs. I’m not sure if one could go ahead and knit a non ribbed cuff, as I haven’t dabbled in altering a pattern yet myself. But its worth a look, I think. The book is Knit Mittens! 15 Cool Patterns To Keep You Warm (Hardcover) The pattern is one of the last ones in the book, and I think they were based on a newfie pattern, if I remember correctly, which is why I knit them (if I remember correctly). The book is on Amazon.com
I don’t know, how about Squirrels with little x’s for eyes I think you might like dead squirrels or perhaps if that’s a little too extreme how about a no squirrel symbol (circle with a squirrel inside diagonal line thru it) How about squirrels on their backs feet up in the air as a repeating pattern?
Well, shoot. Now I have to add Eunny’s mittens to my list of things to knit this winter.
Other than suggesting checking the Nancy Bush books, which I assume you’ve done and haven’t found what you’re looking for, I don’t have any other mitten suggestions. I was going to knit hats this fall for Christmas, as everyone has a sweater… but now I’m adding mittens. Thanks for doubling my queue.
So many patterns to look at! I love mittens so I’m looking forward to seeing what you pick. Still laughing at Sarah’s url though for Anu’s mittens….
You don’t want to immortalize your enemies, and yet you want SNOWFLAKE mittens to cheer you up in February? The irony is hurting my teeth!
The main problem here is that snowflakes are hexagonal in structure, and most of the “stars” added to knitting patterns are eight-pointed, such as in these mittens:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/inga-snoflinga-mittens
Pretty, but I wouldn’t be caught dead in 8 pointed “snowflakes”. Why not just test your gauge, and design the perfect mitten? What makes you think it’s already been invented anyway?
how about the patterns here:
http://www.jessica-tromp.nl/free_mittens_knitting_patterns_how_to_knit_mittens_pattern.htm
Doesn’t match all your specs, but DancesWithWool’s Noro twined mittens are unusual and beautiful.
Check out Vogue Knitting, issue Fall 2008. (It’s the one with Jared Flood’s fantastic Green Autumn mittens on the front). Pages 82 and 83 have some potential mittens for you. I made the Snowbird mittens last year, and loved them; I immediately thought of these when I saw the colours of your yarn. Lots of fun, two colour work throughout, even on the thumbs! Can’t wait to see what you make with that yarn!
I think you might need to design them yourself. It might take less time than looking at 10,000 patterns that just aren’t right.
And I also am frustrated by the recent deluge of fingerless mitts. They’re cute, and I might make myself a pair to wear at work where I’m always cold, but they make finding a pattern for actual mittens difficult. Even when I specify in my search that I don’t want the word fingerless, it seems like the majority of what comes up is indeed fingerless. Michigan in winter is COLD, and my fingers tend to be colder than other people’s anyway, and I spend a lot of time outside walking or waiting for the bus. I need WARM mittens.
Terri Shea’s book. Ravel her and take a look.
I know, I know, you probably don’t have that book but… (and I’m WITH you on instant gratification being not fast enough) you can use it for your next pointy pair. Great historical info in there, too. LOVELOVE that book!
The EZ Norwegian Mittens seem to fit what you are looking for..
of course I love the bird ones in the Knitting in the nordic tradition, but shit are the patterns in that book like reading sanskrit to me… but you are far advanced to my padowan skills- I have no doubt you could figure it out.
Why don’t you try the Faux Bois Mittens by Madelinetosh. They’re not a snowflake theme but they have a beautifyl faux wood grain look to them that I think looks very Scandinavian. It would look great in blue and white I think.
I have to agree with the squirrel rule, there are too many here already! lol
This pattern doesn’t fit all the criteria, but they’re sweet and on my list for this winter: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/06-snowbird-mittens
Latvian mittens. There’s a few snowflake patterns in there. My latest dress mittens are from one of those charts, with tiny red snowflakes floating down a white background. Small repeats=ability to make them as wide as you want.
Just a random hubby here, but I think that the OP was *trying* to say is that she doesn’t have new mittens because she’s displaying symptoms of OCD. Just an observation from the laymen of the world…
Great story, though. 🙂
Take a deep breath and browse for your mitten pattern. In the meantime, I’ve ordered both the cat and horse mitten patterns that are on Ravelry. Thanks a lot, I wasn’t really planning on an intricate pattern, but now, must. make. kitties.
I found these.
http://www.knitting-and.com/knitting/patterns/mittens/snowdrift.htm
Why not designg your own mittens?
Someone must have mentioned the Born to Knit mitten patterns that are now available at Loopy Ewe. They are two color and truly beautiful.
Can’t help but mention the new book out – “Knitting New Mittens and Gloves” – you might change your mind when you see some of the new ideas this book has. I’ve already knit up three of the patterns and they are perfect.
I’m currently in love with Selbuvotter, too.
There are snowflake patterns in there and several mittens that have a longer, flared cuff – very dressy. I would think you could take a pattern in the book that has snowflakes and swap the cuff out for the prettier one.
DH gets the next pair – he’s very impressed with how mine turned out.
Good luck in the hunt!
I think I’m going to knit something from Selbuvotter – there are some nice designs there that make for very attractive mittens and gloves.
And…and! Mountain Equipment Coop is carrying some great liner gloves at $5 in a thin nylon and also $10 liners in polar fleece. Made in Canada! I’m so excited…this will let me wear my mittens in Calgary’s -40C weather.
On DROPS, 110-38, minus the 1999, or 116-7
both are elegant, pointy single snowflake, pointy top, no ribbing
check-em-out!
pointy, no ribbing, snowflakes, fingering weight http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/nhm-1
I took a class from Beth Brown-Reinsel– I recommend her Norwegian Mittens pattern. (there is a photo of a half done mitten on my ravelry page: heathervw. Ironically, they are blue and white!)
There’s a gorgeous pair of mittens on p 156 of Alice Starmore’s Book of Fair Isle Knitting (the recent reissue). Snowflake? check. Pointy top? check. But… 8! colours, so 🙁
EZ’s Knitter’s Almanac May Mittens? Classic fun and tried and true.
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/selbu-mittens
Not quite what you want… and I swear I saw something that would be *perfect* awhile ago… can’t remember where, and not sure if it would even be the right guage 🙁
Janel Laidman has just released a new mitten pattern. Check her Sept 9 blog post at: http://beebonnet.typepad.com/beebonnet_report/
What about White Witch mittens (Interweave Spring 2008)? They have ribbing but it’s corrugated which is a bit dressier. And they are a bit rounded, but you can change that pretty easily. Or, if you get the basic mitten pattern that fulfills your “needs/wants” criteria, then you can use the snowflake pattern from the Voss sweaters you knit for some twins a while back. They’d be pretty! Will be anxious to see what you come up with.
Any chance that you or one of your friends can get ahold of The Mitten Book by Inger and Ingrid Gottfridsson? It would fit all of your criteria. I wish we lived close enough to loan you my copy. Selbuvotter by Terri Shea is quite good too, and probably easier to find.
Have you tried this?
http://www.amazon.com/Mitten-Book-Delightful-Patterns-Traditional/dp/0937274364
(The Mitten Book — patterns for Swedish country mittens with traditional patterns.)
It looks OOP, but I like your blog so much, if you want to take a peek, email me and I will lend it to you.
I have no suggestions for your mittens–I knit things like washcloths and drool over the rest. I just love that there’s someone else out there who knows exactly what she wants, and it’s not so complex and demanding is it, and it’s just not there waiting for her! Best of luck!
I have a strong suspicion that you’re going to cobble something together yourself, whether it’s parts of assorted patterns, or a completely original design. However, if you really want to knit something as written, I think these patterns fit your criteria:
– “Norwegian Mittens” by Elizabeth Zimmerman – the May pattern in the Knitter’s Almanac (if you look at the pattern page in Ravelry, I believe – although I don’t have my copy of Knitter’s Almanac handy to verify this – that the full mitten shown there actually had more stuff added to the top. I believe that, as written, the snowflakes are closer to the top. Of course, if you go this route, you should double-check first.)
– “NHM 2” from Selbuvotter, Biography of a Knitting Tradition (although, oddly, you don’t have this book listed in your library, so this and my next suggestion may not be viable options…)
– Not sure how practical a feather and fan cuff is in Canada, but if you’re open to that, there’s “NHM 14”, also from Selbuvotter, Biography of a Knitting Tradition
– “Graph 53 – District Unknown” by Lizbeth Upitis in Latvian Mittens
Outside your parameters just a bit, but possibly (?) something that would speak to you would be Kate Gagnon Osborne’s “Edelweiss Mittens”.
check out Nordic Mittens from Interweave Knits winter 2004. Snowflakes/star, pointed tips, they do have a corrugated ribbing. They would like beautiful in 2 colors!
I know that these aren’t snowflaky but are pretty close to it.
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/edelweiss-mittens
You know, of course, that shortly we all will be wearing pointy, dress mittens with snowflakes that no one had ever heard of or seen before? And we all never knew we needed until we saw them on the Yarn Harlot’s blog?
I can’t imagine you don’t have Selbuvotter by Terri Shea. Is there nothing in there that satisfies your pickiness? I like looking at the book from my library on Ravelry because I can view the patterns and see what someone else has done on colors other than b/w. Hope you find the right thing soon and we see said mittens posted here.
I want you to know that due to your trials and tribulations with building IKEA furniture setting up your office (and I so sympathize with your office…I now have an IDEA room divider separating out my very own SEWING room…MINE!!!!), I warned my children as we set out to build a number of wardrobes and room dividers, about you and your brother and the falling down furniture. They took it seriously, and we diligently followed the directions that, as my 11 yr old put it, The Great IKEA wrote….down to padding the floor, having more than one builder, and, most importantly, one of the said builders wore a pencil behind his ear, just like in the schematic (the 11 yr old, of course). Thanks to your public service in blogging your difficulties, our building went without a hitch. Thank you, Stephanie!
I have an irrational attraction to these:
but they are not snowflakes. And I love my friend Terri’s book, Selbuvotter. Because she rocks and her book does, too. Big time.
I’m currently making the Interweave Colorwork Hat & Mittens, but mine’re in grey/black and I rewrote the mittens entirely because I didn’t like the poinsettia flower on the back and prefer a more geometric palm for them.
Good luck on your hunt!
Look at these adorable bird mittens!
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bird-mitten-chart
There are too many comments for me to read through them all to see if anyone recommended this patter — http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/norwegian-snail-mittens/people
The pattern is from the Knitters Book of Yarn (seemed like a book you’d have!) and some of the mitts in the project page of Ravelry have been done in blue and white (and look adorable! I mean — very dressy!) They have pointy tops, pointy thumbs and a decorative, non ribbed cuff, and are very symetrical in their patterning … could these be the mitts?
There’s the color work hat and mittens from Interweave. They have it in their e-store or it’s in their Fall 2003 issue.
http://www.interweavestore.com/Knitting/Patterns/Colorwork-Hat-and-Mittens.html
I would just like to add that as a result of reading this post and comments I am now compelled to make four pairs of pointy dress mittens in various patterns before Christmas. Plus, I must start now. Now!
I just saw the Tree of Life Mitten by Janel Laidman-http://beebonnet.typepad.com/beebonnet_report/2009/09/mitten-managed.html.
They would cheer me up on a winter day.
Go see the site from Born to Knit – or Loopy Ewe – however I keep going there and never get to grab the patterns fast enough !!!
I recommend the Setesdal Mittens in Marcia Lewandowski’s Folk Mittens. They have snowflakes and are not ribbed and use two colors. I think your colors would look great. I made these for my husband in green and cream alpaca (I’m tracybeth on Ravelry if you want to check them out). Your wool should still be pretty warm with the strands.
Good luck!
these seemed to be great, not the usual snowflake eather….
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/116-7-mittens-with-pattern-in-karisma
ok, since Lissa and I both suggested the deer, I found the actual mitten pattern for it. http://www.flickr.com/photos/turtlegirl76/3771189695/ well, photos, but I think there’s a link in here. I think they’re dressy! 😉
How about the Selbu Mittens from Marcia Lewandowski’s Folk Mittens – here is the link on Ravelry http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/selbu-mittens
Snowflake – check
pointy – check
they do have ribbing but the book gives lots and lots of different ways to start mittens so you could switch them up.
Aaah for a mitten to be knittin’…
Not sure if you’ve found your mitten pattern yet YH but I have found tons from all these comments. I’ve got plans for mittens…
Thanks 😉
Not searching years of yer blog to find them, but YOU would prolly remember a real prettypair you did a couple years ago with snowflakes, pointed tops and a sideways braid-looking cuff? They were GAWjiss……are repeat projects out of the question? I’d love to see those beauties again!
Here’s one from Green Mountain Spinnery – a 2nd one follows – no snowflake though –
http://www.spinnery.com/proddetail.php?prod=118
Here is the 2nd one from Green mountain spinnery
http://www.spinnery.com/proddetail.php?prod=112
I have just the mitten you are thinking of. It is the sole survivor of a pair we bought in Norway in 1971. I would send you a picture, but it is packed away in mothballs (for the summer) and this is not Canada (I’m at least 60 miles south of Toronto) and I don’t break out my winter woolies in September.
I just bought “Norwegian Handknits” by Sue Flanders and Janine Kosel. There is a mitten in there called Daddy Long Legs. It does not have ribbing, it has a little lace and then a cuff with a rose pattern. They are lovely. I could not find a picture of it. Sorry.
Kate Gilbert’s “Wintergreen Mittens” get my vote.
http://www.kategilbert.com/ms_wintergreen.html
Hope you are well Stephanie.
I have to say that the following: “Inga Snoflinga,” is the lovliest snowflake mitten I have seen, but alas it is a “personal pattern” in Ravelry. Perhaps you can persuade “Borntoknit” to make it public.
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Borntoknitblog/inga-snoflinga
I see several of us have recommended the Bird in Hand pattern. I’m in favor of that one too.
Free download:
http://www.joridweb.com/butikk/shop.html
Alas there is a third color, but if you aren’t familiar with this pattern, take a look!
The Deep in the Forest mittens mentioned earlier are lovely and would be quite special in your yarn.
http://tuulia.blogspot.com/2008/10/deep-in-forest-mittens.html
Have you seen these yet? http://www.theloopyewe.com/browse/patterns/born-to-knit/inga-snoflinga-mittens/ I just ordered my copy of the pattern so now I can share the link. I’m in love with them, not that I’ll get to use them that much in TX
I loved the way grumperina combined anemoi and lilyfield but I think the egyptian mittens mentioned here are gorgeous and fulfill all your requirements.
Gotta say…I’m feeling a little bit used. I’ve spent hours looking at delicious mittens. I love all the mittens. I don’t even need mittens…Nobody in California needs mittens. For the love of tofu, please select some mittens. (I think you’ll choose Egyptian mittens – they look fancy and wonderful and full of serendipity.)
Not exactly snowflakes, but these almost fit in your wish list for a pair of mittens: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/icewine-mittens
I love this pattern!
Cheers,
You have the Selbuvotter book: NHM#1 seems to fit ALL your criteria.
Gee, that sounded a little curt above. I was just being concise! The example on Rav even shows colors similar to yours:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/nhm-1
I had twittered back to you about the Born to Knit mittens on Loopy Ewe’s site. Don’t know if you got the message or not, as I’m new to all this Twitter stuff, and sort of tech-impaired.
Dang, now I’ve got mitten lust. DS will just have to learn that he exists for the purpose of having someone to knit for who must wear whatever I devise.
Elizabeth Zimmerman’s Norwegian Mittens look like they fit your criteria…
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/norwegian-mittens-may
(Ravelry link)
Another lovely one that I just came across is “Edith the Mitten” by Johanne Landin. (I’m in love with her matching “Edith the Hat” pattern.)
Violet (from September 11 6:13 PM) Knows What’s Up.
Can’t get more snowflakey, pointey and nonribby than EZ’s Norwegian Mittens (May in Knitter’s Almanac)…
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/norwegian-mittens-may
What happened to all your wonderful awards and the Twitter and the running total of MSF? You look undressed! Did the upgrade steal the ‘sides’ too?
I definitely for for EZ’s snowflake mittens. You can find the pattern in a couple of her books. I’m thinking of starting on a pair this winter for myself.
I definitely vote for for EZ’s snowflake mittens. You can find the pattern in a couple of her books. I’m thinking of starting on a pair this winter for myself.
Not what you said you were looking for, at all, but I think you’re just over-mittened. I’m a huge fan of the mittens they TOLD you to make with your yarn
http://www.headwaterwool.com/WebStore/PatternDetail.aspx?row_num=251 grrrrr, lovely, and they’d look great in blue and white.
Interweave Magazine Fall 2007 has a nice snowflake pattern, but it’s for Snowflake Socks. (the toes look a little pointy).Have fun!
I have 3 words for you.
Born to Knit.
Check out her mittens on The Loopy Ewe.
Newly released pattern by the glove queen – Alabama Whirly – blue and white Snowflake Catchers.
May be adaptable to 4 ply.
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/snowflake-catchers
http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/en/visoppskrift.php?d_nr=116&d_id=6&lang=us
I just recently discovered the Drops website, and they have so many wonderful patterns.
Also on the drops website, if you do a search under ladies, mittens – pattern numbers: 110-40, 110-39, 110-38.
Two colors, pointy ends, snowflakes, and I’ve forgotten the rest of the requirements.
or how about these? white witch mittems from knitting daily
http://www.knittingdaily.com/media/p/13960/showcontent.aspx
Not snowflakes, but very cute nonetheless.
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/danish-mittens
A few years ago I modified this pattern to use only two colors and I changed the overlapping circles motif to something more like the flower near the cuff. I also modified the yarn and gauge to something like fingering because that was the kind of yarn I had. By the time I finished all my changes they didn’t look very much like the originals. I gave them as a Christmas present but didn’t take photos.
http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter06/PATTtiffany.html
What if you design your perfect mittens? Just sayin’…. 😀
You need the Finnish Eeva Haavisto book Sata kansanomaista kuviokudinmallia. 😉 It has clear charts and hardly any text. I’m sure you’ll find a Finnish knitter on Ravelry to send you a copy of the book! 😀 (Or email me, I might be able to get one.)
I didn’t think much of the Daina mittens the first time I saw them, but the more I look at them, the more I think they are the most subtle and elegant and graceful mittens I’ve ever seen. If I were making dress-up mittens, they’re what I would choose.
do you have Robin Hansen’s “Favorite Mittens”, a pair of traditonal east coast mitts (I’m partial to the Newfoundland trigger mitts myself) in a sleak fitting size would be funtional, two toned and elegant! check these out http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fox-and-geese-mittens
the eastern coast of US and Canada has a great unsung mitten knitting tradition.
good luck with the hunt.
With all these suggestions…
now you have your work cut out for you!
Some of the best projects come out of your head with the inspiration of lots and lots of ideas.
Good luck! I can’t wait to see what you come up with, I know they will be brilliant.
Um, when do you dress up exactly? Can’t wait to see what comes of all this.
There’s a very nice pair of mittens on http://www.siriusknitting.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=26 that has a traditional Danish design.
Okay… now, when I’m ear-balls deep in projects, you’ve made me want to knit that Eunny Jang pattern with every fiber in my being. Cursed mitten hunt… (mmmm… anemenoi– even the word is lovely…)
Hello Yarn always has beautiful things to look at. What about these?
http://www.helloyarn.com/fiddleheadmittens.htm
I’ve looked further at Hello Yarn’s patterns:
http://www.helloyarn.com/freepatterns.htm
Have you tried Beth Brown Reinsel’s site?
http://www.knittingtraditions.com/p_socks.htm#mittens
Thanks for the squirrel mitten patterns! I realize that you think squirrels are really rats wearing fancy fur coats (and that tail, m’dear!), but I admire both critters.
Don’t suppose you found a mitten pattern with rats, did you?
Just saw these on Ravelery:
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/LissaG/setesdal-mittens-2
Blue and white with snowflakes around the cuff.
I have the Corazon mittens from Knitty 2006 in my queue.
I really like them, but the pattern suggests DK weight yarn – so you may not.
How about Frostrosen Mitten available from http://www.nordicfiberarts.com
Pointed tops, two snowflakes and a cuff with a two color design! I’m enjoying knitting them in red and white.
Jane
Have you looked at brella’s Norwegian Totoro Mittens on ravery? Not snowflakes, but pointed. They make me smile.
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/search?query=totoro+mittens
Manhood advice comes to blogs, too???!
I don’t know if anyone’s suggested these yet, but they are absolutely lovely and look a little dressy to me. No snowflakes, but I like the idea of getting a glimpse of the ocean on a cold day – like a promise of summer.
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sea-mineral-mittens
The pattern is free, pointy, have a pretty scalloped cuff, and no ribbing. Oh and they’re in fingering weight yarn.
Happy knitting!
Just saw these while cruising the intertubes…
http://www.kidsknits.com/store/amaryllis_mittens.html
They might fit the bill 🙂
I just had to stick my two cents in… my birthday is in February so that’s something to be happy about 🙂
Dear Steph,
Whatever happened to the Pretty Thing Cowl pattern from back in January? Is it going to be published?
Thanks.
Have you looked at Riihivilla’s mittens? They are sold as a kit with her gorgeous plant-dyed yarns, but if you see a pattern you like, you could always try to ask her about purchasing as a download. http://riihivilla.blogspot.com or leena on Ravelry.
My very talented friend had just released her latest mitten pattern – Snowball Catchers
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/snowflake-catchers
The pattern uses a sportweight/heavy fingering weight but normal fingering would work
Is anybody else currently fighting the urge to design & knit Anus Mittens?
I haven’t yet decided whether they should be regular mittens with a charted bum on them, or a pair of underpants with a cheekily placed ‘thumb’…
Here’s a thought, (though I admit I didn’t check the 300+ comments to see if anyone else had it)==beaded snowflakes mittens. Dressy, no? Oh wait, using 2 colors….beads on the tips of the flakes? What do you think?
Lucy Neatby’s Paradoxical mittens fit the bill (other than the snowflake part). If you don’t have a copy, I’d be happy to purchase one for you. Being a fellow Canuck, I understand the need for non-fingerless mittens. They’re on my list of things to knit this fall. I think I’m going to use Malabrigo sock.
No time to read all the comments, so this may be a repeat…….
Steph,
You have enough skill and talent to design them yourself!!!!!
Beth
I agree with whoever above suggested the Frostrosen mittens (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/frostrosen-mittens). Fingering weight, nice and wide, snowflakey, warm-yet-dressy. I have an adapted version excel chart if you’d like to borrow.
How about the Komi mittens?
I remember them from Brooklyntweed’s blog…
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/brooklyntweed/komi-mittens
– 2 colour
– fingering weight
– Classic!
– no squirrels
I think they would look beautiful in that blue & white.
Wool You Order
A Year of Mittens
A Monthly Celebration
There are two patterns to choose from with snow flakes.
It’s too bad about the non-pointy tops and ribbing on the bottom, because other than that, the White Witch mitts are perfect, and FREE!
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/white-witch-mitts
I don’t know if anyone has mentioned these ones, but http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/egyptian-mittens seem to have it all: snowflake pattern, no ribbing, pointy tops — and it’s in Finnish with charts. Hmmm… I just might have to tackle these ones.
jared of Brooklyn Tweed fame has a pair of really beautiful mittens in his new book. Good Luck.cecilia
Do you have ‘Folk Mittens’ by Marcia Lewandowski? Selbu Mittens in there – pointy snowflakes – made them once, they are cool.
What about these?
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/deep-in-the-forest-mittens
They are pointy, and have cool naked trees. Do not have ribbing. Have a cute little braid thing and the palms and back of hands are different so it makes them interesting to knit. I’m knitting mine with size 2mm needles for a nice fit and the bit I’ve done is quite nice.
Happy hunt.
Sounds like you described the EZ mittens…
I don’t need mittens (this year). However I now have a faves list full of them, and much desire. And I have all that nice warm roving to spin… So I’m sure mittens are in my near future.
I hope the deluge of patterns helps, rather than overwhelms you. I have no suggestions of my own, just enjoying what’s posted so far.
I like Fiddlehead by Adrian Bizilia, and Bird in Hand by Kate Gilbert, but those aren’t snowflakey… But if you look at it a bit squinty, Helgi’s Mittans by Nacy Bush might be a kind of quilt-like snowflake pattern. Looking forward to see what you choose! Maybe you should pick six patterns and if we donate a certain amount to TSF before the end of the week, we can vote for our favourite?
Have you seen the White Witch Mitts from interweave knits knitting daily? I’m sure you could make the tops pointy etc. besides who wants to knit something exactly like the pattern? 🙂
I’ve just one word….jessica tromp.
http://www.jessica-tromp.nl/free_mittens_knitting_patterns_how_to_knit_mittens_pattern.htm
Hope you’ll find a nice pattern there, she’s just amazing and has great patterns….
Worth to check out. :o)
take care.
Valerai.
I’m quite sure someone has already mentioned these, being that I am so late to the party, but, Paradoxical Mittens by Lucy Neatby would fit the bill, me thinks…
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/paradoxical-mittens-237
I’m sure someone’s suggested it already, but the Latvian mitten pattern done as a knitalong by Schoolhouse press is an absolutely wonderful mitten. Link here:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/graph-19—district-of-vidzeme—latvian-mittens
While this is *more* than a two-color mitten, I’m confident that you have not only the ability but also the stash to solve this problem. I love these mittens. Absolutely love them.
There is a Born To Knit pattern at the Loopy Ewe called Inga Snoflinga. Fingering wt, no ribbing, snowflakes…it’s even shown in blue and white.
What about the mittens in Elizabeth Zimmerman’s Knitter’s Almanac- pointy, no ribbing and with a snow flake option
how about Zeitgeist Yarns’ Edelweiss mittens? It’s not a snowflake pattern but it is quite pretty. I know it is a three colour mitten but it only needs about 60yds of the third colour and I’m sure you’d have a little bit of something in your stash to sub in….
What about these? They’re simple, elegant, pointed, and have a snowflake…
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/110-40-mittens-with-pattern-in-karisma-or-merino-extrafine
Have you checked out the patterns for Russian-style mittens at Headwater Wools? Sadly, they fail the ‘Download now’ rule, but they seem to hit all your other criteria and I love the ‘forest’ pattern.
I’m going to let everyone else do the seaching, then see what you select, then maybe just maybe I’ll do that same, however, I’m very enamoured with the red gloves in the most recent vogue and I really hate knitting gloves, but those are soo pretty, I can’t stop thinking about them… I see them in my future…
OK I couldn’t resist jumping on the mitten seach bandwagon — I like these, but they might not be dressey enough
http://www.knittingdaily.com/media/p/27538.aspx
they have snowflakes, i think they are only two colors. good luck with your seach.
I get the same way when I’m trying to pick any pattern to match yarn I already have. For some reason it is always easier for me to find the pattern and then get some yarn (from stash or shopping) to fit.
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/selbu-mittens
how about
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/inga-snoflinga-mittens
Sounds like somebody needs to write a dressy mitten pattern. And did anyone else notice that in the third comment, in the link, it says, “anus mittens” – anyone? anyone?
yes, Elizabeth….see comment #5
I second the person who recommended Lotus Leaf Mittens from Twist Collective. They’re certainly on my to-do list.
I cast my vote as a second for this one: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rubaiyat-mittens
I immediately thought of it upon reading your post. then if I never get around to making them myself, I can live vicariously through you.
Just knit EZ’s mittens. I think it’s in Opinionated Knitter. She has a great snowflake motif. And, after all, it’s an EZ pattern. Nuff said.
One more vote (I’ve seen many) for EZ’s Norwegian Mittens. I also like NHM #1 from ravelry as well.
BTW-this is my first comment ever!
Wow, I guess I’m not the only one to think of Kate Gilbert’s Bird in Hand… Shucks! Anyway, that pattern has been sitting on my (Ravelry) shelf for more than a year, waiting for a perfect yarn that will never come. And your imaginings are waiting for the perfect pattern, so it seems like an ideal match, no?
OMG!! MITTENS!! I too am jonesing for mittens, or am channeling my inner harlot. I’ve had to hide the Latvian Mittens book that UPS graciously delivered last week from myself so that I can get some other stuff done and properly dedicate myself to the mitten.
RIP…Frankenmitten. We hardly knew ye.
I see you have your blog back to normal – looks like you went with a service (“ken”) that uses free software (movable type) – I hope it works out for you. I’ve been using free software for years and I find it works just fine.
Good luck with knitting the mittens. I’m practicing how to knit with two colours, one from each hand. Next: small projects (like mittens! and hats) and after that, once I have a consistent gauge, some sweaters.
I loved seeing the dancing boys/girls on the Scandinavian mittens – it’s a different pattern than the one I had seen on the cover art of a CD called Tuq. I will try both.