Fili Top Down Convertible Mitts from Unraveled Sheep -- Done!

Fili Finish! 

And finally, the thumbs!

Why don’t my provisional crochet cast-on stitches ever zip right off like they’re supposed to?  They almost NEVER do for me, and I’m stuck tediously dismantling each stitch to get at the live loop I need to slip on my needle. Seriously, a strand of scrap yarn or a stitch holder always seems to be a better choice for me than any kind of provisional cast on I’ve ever attempted.  Maybe I need to take a class or something.

Ah, but now the fabulous Fili mitts are done!  I found a nice, flat pewter button that doesn’t get in the way but still complements the blue color of the yarn. My husband, being the engineer that he is, remarked “How do you undo the button with your fingers inside the mitten?”  It’s a fair question of functionality, but I actually found it quite easy.  Texting, of course, isn’t really possible since your thumb is encased, but I would seriously consider tacking a few strands of that specially conductive thread into the thumbs so that you could.

Sewing the buttons on proved a bit of a challenge for an age-old reason:  Any needle big enough to hold the yarn was too big for the holes in the button.  I tried my usual fix: folding a paper clip—but even that was too big.  Eventually I had to dig out my collection of itty-bitty crochet hooks and pull the yarn through that way.  I could have defaulted to some thread, but I wanted to keep with the yarn if possible.

All in all, a very well designed and engaging project.  Thanks, Unraveled Sheep. Next up, we dive into bunny construction just in time for Easter.

Fili Top Down Convertible Mitts from Unraveled Sheep -- Day 6

Clever Cuffs

I like that the ribbed cuffs that finish off these mitts have a tiny cable accent in them—it’s just another of the clever details that make these mitts such a good design.  

They feel remarkably comfortable on, thanks to the fiber.  The smoothness of the silk combines with the warmth of wool. They’re casually elegant—substantial without being bulky  The top cuff folds back nicely.  I thought I’d want a button to hold it back, but it folds over neatly because of the smart construction.  This really is an exceptional piece of design.

Now I just have the thumbs to finish.  These should be ready in no time!  And that’s good, because Chicago is about to get another round of snow.  The path to spring is never linear in this part of the world.  Snow, after a bout of 70 degree weather?  Yep, that’s spring in Chicago.

Fili Top Down Convertible Mitts from Unraveled Sheep -- Day 4

Being all thumbs…

There must be a dozen ways to do a mitten thumb, with a dozen degrees of difficulty.  

Some thumbs need to have designated lefts and rights (like these), others just poke off the side so you can switch them up on either hand. Some grow from making stitches, others from picking up live stitches parked on waste yarn.  Knitters have their favorites, based on technique, comfort, style, etc.

Simply put, thumbs take thought.  And thumbs done in “left” and “right” versions simultaneously on one circular require concentration.  Deep concentration.  This is not knitting you attempt anywhere but in peaceful silence with a calming beverage at your side.

Making the crochet chains was not difficult.  Installing them in halves proved a bit more complex.  I used the old trick of different color stitch markers to ensure I knew where I was at all times.   There were points where it looked as if I was merely holding a tangle of needles, cords, yarn, and knots.  I’m certain lots of squinting and frowning was involved.  Thumbs are often one of those techniques—like entrelac—where I find myself staring at the knitting and going “Huh?  Is this right?”

But then, the desired form begins to emerge, the perfect little pocket for your opposable digit comes to life, and you can only smile.

And give, of course, a “thumbs up.”

Fili Top Down Convertible Mitts from Unraveled Sheep -- Day 3

The bind off that doesn't (bind off, that is...)

Now we get to the ingenious part of these mitts!  

The top cuffs are finished, and it’s time to start the mitt section.  The trick here is to remember that while you use a three needle bind off technique, you’re not actually binding off.  You’re binding—one part of the mitt to the other.  I had to read through the directions a few times before that sunk in.  Once I pictured the finished mitts in my head, it was easier to see how the pieces fit together.  It feels a bit odd to be knitting the mitts from the top down—I think almost every other set of mittens or mitts I’ve done have started from the wrist up.

It was just after the ribbing was firmly attached and I was on my way that I discovered my next hurdle:  not enough yarn.  Now, were I doing these one at a time, I could use the clever tactic of weighing my first completed mitt and ensuring I had the same (or more) grams of yarn left for the second.  

Since I’m doing these two at a time, however, I don’t have that option.  I have to eyeball it.  And it’s looking like I might not have enough.  Especially since the pattern says the larger sizes require as much as 300 yards, and a skein only has 192 yards.  This isn’t the kind of thing you want to get wrong.

So I did what any smart knitter would do:  call the shop.  Order up another skein so that my push to the finish line on these mitts is a happy experience, not a stressed-out measuring nightmare.  Verla is happily mailing me out a second skein so I can knit with confidence.

...Provided my Silky Wool doesn’t get lost in the mail.

Fili Top Down Convertible Mitts from Unraveled Sheep -- Day 2

Knitting insomnia…

You may have experienced knitting insomnia.  I know it has happened to me before.  It is one of the dangers of late-night knitting. 

Knitting insomnia has a less dangerous cousin known as “just let me finish this row.” This cousin's dangers are directly related to the length and complexity of the row in question.  

Let’s face it:  many of us have stayed up past our bedtimes to get rows done.  Or tangles untangled.

But the cruelest fate of all is the discovery—right before bed—of a mistake.

Halfway through this section of the cuff (the portion of the mitt that covers your fingers when these are in “mitten mode”), I discovered I had been increasing several rows past the point where I should have stopped.  I discovered this error at the worst possible time—just as I was putting my knitting away for the night to go to bed.

It was not an easy fix—tinking several rows of two mitts on one circ is a complex process. I figured I had about an hour’s worth of rescue work ahead of me, and it was already nearly 11pm.  

“You can fix it in the morning, when you’re sharper,” I told myself as I tucked my knitting back into its bag and went to bed.

Notice I said “went to bed.”  Because I did not go to sleep.  No, I lay in bed for another 90 minutes attempting not to think about my wayward knitting. “It’s just knitting,” I kept telling myself.  “Lives are not at stake.  12:30 a.m. is not a good time to attempt a complicated knitting fix.”

Nothing doing.  You can already guess the end of the story:  Me, up until 1:45 a.m., fixing my knitting.  

So now I have “insomnia mitts” to go along with my “amnesia cowl.”  Knitting may be soothing, but it sure isn’t always peaceful.

Fili Top Down Convertible Mitts from Unraveled Sheep -- Day 1

Dig my mad new skills…

Two-at-a-time mittens with cables?? Clearly, I have a high opinion of my own knitting skills.

Well, humility’s never been my strong point, anyway.

Truly, I believe it’s good to stretch your abilities, and knitting is one of my favorite places to do that.  When I come across a pattern that is seven pages long, however, I admit to a gulp or two.

I shouldn’t really worry.  Sheila Toy Stromberg’s directions are clear and confidence-inspiring.  I confess, her mind-bending double staghorn cable makes me nervous—cables and I aren’t the best of friends.  But I yearn to improve that relationship, and the ingenious construction of these mitts has peaked my interest.

First step was to weigh the yarn so as to accurately divide into two balls.  Easy peasy.

Next, casting on for two ribbed bands at once took a YouTube video or two since it has been a long time since I’ve done a magic look two-on-one circ project.  I got it done, however, and set those aside per Sheila’s instructions.  How do they make it onto the mitts?  I’m not sure yet, but so far so good.

Now I set to learning Judy’s Magic Cast On.  A long-time fan of Jenni’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off, I was delighted to learn this skill often associated with toe-up socks.  I am off and running!

Double staghorn cable, I’m up to your challenge….