I was warned in advance that his hands were "strong, but delicate with long graceful fingers often associated with concert pianists." When I got the tracing, I knew I should order two skeins of yarn!
I decided to go with Wonderfully Woolly Worsted Weight from Green Mountain Spinnery in natural grey. It seemed appropriate to use 100% New England Wool since Mark lives in Vermont and besides, I've always wanted to try this yarn. When it arrived, I knew I had made the right choice.
Using Ann Budd's book, The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns, and advice from John, I knit a pair of mittens that John says are "just right." If it weren't for the fact that they are a little too big for him, I'm not sure he'd let me send them to his brother.
Knit at 6 stitches per inch, these mittens should be hard-wearing and warm. The 1x1 ribbed cuff is longer than typical for regular mittens, so that it will extend beyond the chopper mitts.
Extra length was added to the hand and thumb to accommodate Mark's extra large hands.
I mailing them off today.
I sure hope they fit.
I agree with John. They look perfect. I love a good, practical knit.
ReplyDeleteThey look like excellent mittens! I relearned over the last couple of weeks that mittens are the best for warmth in subzero weather. :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like you will be making another pair for John! :)
ReplyDeleteI hope they fit too! They look wonderful and I am sure he will love them. So great that he requested these!
ReplyDeletethey look great...very warm. i like the manly gray color too.
ReplyDeleteHe'll love them. Simple warmth from your hands to his.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely gift! I have never knit a pair. Right now I am stuck on socks and a project for my little nephew. You will have to let us know what your BIL says about the mittens. I am sure he will be thrilled.
ReplyDeleteThey look great and very warm as well....fingers crossed that they will be a perfect fit.
ReplyDeleteHmmm my comment did a funny deleting thing :-( so I'll try again..ha!
ReplyDeleteThat is a large hand print my friend! The mittens look perfect. I always love your yarn choices
Although I'm not usually a "gray" person, I love these mittens in this color. You really do a great job on knitting, Tracy. Your BIL will love them.
ReplyDeleteAmy
they are wonderful! your brother in law is lucky to have a talented knitter in the family ;)
ReplyDeleteThey're perfect!
ReplyDeleteThey look fantastic! here's hoping they fit!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lucky guy to get those picture perfect mittens. You're definitely the best SIL a guy could have!
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with all the nice comments above especially how I am Blessed to have a SIL like you. The reason that these are so good for sub zero cold is that they don't constrict the blood flow to your hands like tight gloves can do. Often if your feet are cold the best thing that you can do is take your shoe or boot off! THe beautiful warm VT wool is headed back home after a nice visit to Texas.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful wool choice. And generous cuff length will be appreciated!
ReplyDeleteThey turned out beautiful, and the yarn is perfect! You have got to be a very experienced knitter to be able to knit up something with just a tracing for a pattern. I am so impressed!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! Simple is often the best and this exemplifies that.
ReplyDeletegreat mittens :-)
ReplyDeleteand such dedication to knit for those long-fingered hands.
My daughter's boyfriend has long hands like that, and I ended up making him fingerless mitts for Christmas instead of mittens (grins)
They look great and I really like the color, too.
ReplyDeleteThis is the perfect guy mitten. As usual you did a wonderful job on the knitting. It's so cold here I better go find something to warm my hands!!!
ReplyDeleteHmmm....my husband's chopper mitt mittens are all worn out too. He would love a pair of these!
ReplyDeleteI hope Mark got the thumb on the right hand! They look great.
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