Mitten Lessons

It’s been a long time since I’ve knitted something for the first time. I’ve been relishing this first time experience on the Ambroso mittens – it’s fun to do some knitting that makes you think, something a bit more than autopilot. This first mitten taught me several things:

• Thumbs need to be longer than I expected. When you think you’re done with the thumb, knit a few more rows. You’ll thank me later. I had to reknit the end of the thumb to add a few more rows.
• A little negative ease is a good thing for the cuff.
• And a little positive ease in the hand so I can move my fingers, grasp things, and curl my fingers up if it’s really cold.

• Top decreases: just like the toe of a sock, I need to do more experimentation to learn my preferred style with the top decreases. I think I’m going to try a spiral with 6 spokes next time. The 4-spoke version fits fine but I don’t like the aesthetic.
• In retrospect, I should have selected a sturdier yarn. 100% alpaca will certainly be soft and warm but I’m concerned about fulling/felting. I bought enough yarn for a scarf too and I can’t wait to wear it around my neck (more on that next time).
• Similarly I’m out of cable practice and if I made these mittens again I’d use one with more cable definition. This is especially due to the fact that the cables are worked on a stockinette background. You lose that pop cables get when they sit atop a purl background.

Having said all the above, I’m in love with these mittens. They’re soft, warm, and a bright pop of color with beautiful hand dyed striations. I’m sure I’ll get a lot of wear out of them.
I’m as far along on the second mitten as I was on the first last week and I’m hopeful I’ll have a finished pair later today. Yes, mittens do still seem to be fast! It’s supposed to be in the low-mid 50s on Monday and down into the 40s by Thursday so it’ll be just in time.