Stitch Easy Cables on Fingerless Gloves

Cable knitting is one of the basic skills of knitting that I think everyone should try once or twice. So many beginning knitters think that cable knitting is hard, and while it can be challenging when there are lots of twists and turns of different kinds in the same pattern, it’s actually not difficult as a concept.

All cable knitting asks of you is that you knit stitches in a different order than the way you normally would. This makes a twist that, through regular repetition, makes a cable pattern.

It’s a great idea to start learning about cable knitting with a simple pattern that includes just one or two cables across the work. That way you just have to focus on when and where to turn your cables one at a time, which makes it a lot easier.

The Thicket Fingerless Gloves from Mirella Moments are a good option for a first cable knitting project if you’re already comfortable working in the round. (And if you aren’t, why not learn two skills at once?)

These are fun because the cable is mirrored on each glove, with a right twist on one and a left twist on the other. That way in this one project you get plenty of practice with the mechanics of cables and you’ll be ready for a more complicated cable knitting project right away should you choose to try another.

This pattern uses worsted weight yarn and some in one size. The pattern doesn’t include a cable knitting tutorial but if you need more help than the description of how to do it, that’s easy to find elsewhere.

These mitts would be a great gift for that person who is always cold, too, so why not get a jump on your holiday knitting and whip up a pair?

The free pattern is available from Mirella Moments.

[Photo: Mirella Moments]

Make Your Mittens with Colorwork

Sock Yarn Mittens and Mitts Knitting Patterns

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Sashiko is a traditional Japanese embroidery technique that uses running stitches to make lines (straight or otherwise) that reinforce and insulate fabric. It can be used as a mending technique or for decorative purposes, and it has become popular in recent years as a visible mending technique.

It’s also the inspiration behind the Sashiko Tee by Elenor Mortensen. This top down, circular yoke top is worked in the round with allover stranded knitting designs reminiscent of intricate sashiko stitching.

You’ll find floral patterns, starbursts, straight lines and individual colorwork stitches in this design.

The pattern is offered in six sizes and two different gauges (both use fingering weight yarn) making a dozen different size options. The finished bust circumference of the sweater ranges from 33.8 to 57 inches, or 86 to 145 cm.

The project calls for two colors, and I love the traditional blue and white of the designer’s sample, but some of the projects shown on Ravelry use more than two or use a multicolored yarn as one of the options, which gives it a different look that’s even more interesting. There are also some projects that show longer sleeves, repeating the patterns from the body on the sleeves, which is a great move if you need a sweater for the fall.

I know I say this a lot but it’s worth your time to look at the different ways people have approached this sweater by clicking on the projects tab on Ravelry. You’ll find different colors and sleeves, different ribbing treatments, added beads, a bit of mohair, different lengths, subtle colors and bolder choices…so many fun options.

The pattern is available in English, French and German, and you can grab a copy of Ravelry. I think this one would be a fun way to get into colorwork knitting without having to deal with a bunch of colors, and you get a cool result and lots of practice following a chart.

[Photo: Elenor Mortensen]

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