I went to the Knitters Guild meeting tonight. The guest speaker was Inger Fredholm, Swedish knitting designer. She has an exhibit starting this weekend at the Swedish American Institute in Minneapolis. I signed up for her European Lace class on Friday afternoon. She is a lovely woman and appears to be very talented. I am really looking forward to the class and the reception/exhibit opening that follows. Her book is called “Knitting with a Smile.” She had them for sale at the meeting, but I’ll get 20% off on Friday so I decided to wait. More on her, the book and the class later.
As you may remember, the mitten exchange was also this evening. MANY of the knitters (most of the knitters) expressed the same level of frustration that I felt in trying to make their mittens. One woman did not finish her mittens, did not come to the meeting and sent the unfinished mittens with a note saying she would never come back (?). We figured she became part of the Knitter Protection Program for people too embarrassed by their knitting problems to be seen knitting in public again :(.
I received a gorgeous pair of mittens in the yarn I submitted — Rowan Tapestry. The knitter (and I am sorry that I do not know her name) also expressed frustration with the yarn I gave her — she said it was thin and rather too soft. It is DK weight I think and is very soft. It is a fairly new yarn and I had never knit with it before so I didn’t really know how it would knit up. She lightly felted them and I LOVE them! They were my favorite mittens of the night and I am very happy with them.
So, now, as promised, here are pictures of “the infamous mittens.” I’m sure you will just say to yourself, “Oh.” There is nothing special or un-special about them. They are plain old, seen ’em before, whatever !? mittens.
A close up of the “embellishment:”
The mittens aren’t that special but I fell in love with pompoms! I made these little cuties with the following new tool:
They are beautiful AND easy, just like it says on the package.  I may go crazy for pom poms or pom pons or pompoms (your choice). My husband could not see the attraction, but I told him they are so out that they’re in.  Â
So, there you go – I am now off the hook and feelin’ fine, never to do a mitten exchange again.  If you ever hear me say even in jest that I want to participate in a mitten exchange, please call the Knitter Protection Program without delay!! ;)Â
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Never to do a mitten exchange again?! How about a GAAA exchange? 🙂 TEE HEE HEE! For a 1st timer, your
mittens are FAB!
Comment by Michelle — October 18, 2006 @ 6:43 am
I would buy those for the kids! Most of the mittens I’ve seen in that weight, are more practical than decorative. Those are great! Now get back to Oregon!
Comment by Marina — October 18, 2006 @ 7:43 am
IÂ like both pair of mittens 🙂
Comment by vanessa — October 18, 2006 @ 8:21 am
I’d like to have a pom pom maker. (Hint hint.)
Comment by surly — October 18, 2006 @ 8:27 am
From Susan — I’m glad people like the mittens — I don’t think they went over that well at the guild meeting, but…. Surly, I’ll send you a pom pom maker with your sweaters. And, remember, when you sign a contract you have to keep up with the payments ;).
Comment by surly — October 18, 2006 @ 9:01 am
I think your mittens turned out just fine. Too bad about the never-come-back woman, though – wonder what was going on in her head during that time…
Comment by June — October 18, 2006 @ 11:02 am
I thought all of the mittens were fabulous, including yours. Too hard on yourself. I am a little concerned about the woman who said she was never going to return… this wasn’t supposed to be a test of survival of the knitty-ist or anything…
Comment by Molly — October 18, 2006 @ 11:50 am
I LOVE PomPoms (Dingle Balls?)- I can’t resist them. You did an amazingjob, considering what you had to work with.
Comment by Lorraine — October 18, 2006 @ 12:17 pm
LOVE the colors on all the mittens! I have to get one of those pom pom (I like to spell em as they sound) makers! So much for the KPP, I’ve seen the best of em’ in blogdom show mistakes like nobody’s business. Makes it real for us newer knitters ya know? My knitting group had a “Knitting Horror Night” a couple of months ago and we all had a blast. There’s nothing more comforting than to be allowed to be your true self with a chosen group of friends.
Comment by Carol — October 18, 2006 @ 2:14 pm
They turned out great! (both the ones you made and received). I think that the top decreasing is very nicely done — a lot of the mittens I’ve seen lately I think are from the fingertips-to-wrists, and it makes the top very squared-off…not my fav. These are awesome!
Comment by Laura — October 18, 2006 @ 4:39 pm
I think both pairs are quite lovely. The first pair softly lovely, the blue-black tweedy ones funkily lovely. And warm. Did I mention warm? That is the true test of a mitten.
Comment by kmkat — October 18, 2006 @ 11:11 pm