Reading Mitts 閱讀手套

I absolutely loved these mitts when I first saw the pattern. The severe cold of this winter pushed me to make some mitts and finally, I own a pair of these.

第一次看到之圖時就很喜歡這雙手套. 今年冬天特冷逼得我不得不打幾雙手套來禦寒, 於是我終於有了這雙漂亮的手套.



I have more than 2 balls of yarns leftover from Un peu de chance Cardigan and Toasty mitts but in 2 dye lots. I wanted to use the darker lot which has more than 1 ball. So I CO with it and hoped I could make these mitts a one skein project.

一點好運開襟外套和暖融融手套剩了 2 球多的線, 但有 2 個不同缸號, 其中 1 球比較白. 本來想把這雙手套當作是一球可完成的作品, 所以用量多較深的線起針.



Unfortunately, I figured that on skein project wasn't possible, so I used the paler ball for the palm turn-down hem. When I was finising the second mitt, all of a sudden I felt relectant the way I knitted the mitts.

很不幸地, 第一隻快打完時發現想要只用一球線打完一雙手套是不可能的, 所以用了腳白的線打手掌的摺邊. 第二隻快完成時, 忽然覺得不喜歡這樣的配法.



I ripped both mitts, knitted the turn-down hems and lace bands with the paler ball, and the stockinette stitch main body with the darker one. They turned out beautifully.

我把兩隻手套都拆掉重打. 這次用較白的打手腕和手掌的摺邊和蕾絲部分, 主體平針的部分用深色的打. 最後效果很好.



The turn-down hems were meant to be sewn down after the mitts are done. I'm lazy and reluctant to sew, especially afterwards, so this is what I did: turned the wrist hem inside and knitted with the live mitt sts (1st row of the Lace Panel); turned the palm hem inside and BO the live sts with corresponding sts using a crochet hook.

摺邊應是手套完成後向內摺再縫起來. 我很懶, 又不喜歡縫, 尤其打完了才縫, 所以我的偷懶做法是: 打完手腕摺邊就先向內摺, 把針上的活目和對應的起針目打在一起 (剛好是蕾絲部分的第 1 圈); 手掌的摺邊打好也向內摺, 用鈎針把針上的活目和對應的織片目鈎在一起收針.



I also made some modifications: I used smaller needles knitting the turn-down hem and knitted 5 rows before and after the yo k2tog row for a longer, tighter, flater and neater hem.

同時還做了些修改: 用小號針打折邊, 且洞眼圈前後各打 5 圈平針 (原作是 4 圈). 這樣折邊稍長一點, 針目較緊實整齊, 摺起來較平不愛翹.

Triton Socks 特里同襪

When I picked up this ball of sock yarn, I asked for pattern suggestions from my knitter friends, although I have saved lots of socks patterns. I chose this one suggested by Margaret for it's simple, no fuss, appealing pattern.

隨手從樟木箱中拿出這球襪線, 上來請眾姊妹建議織圖, 雖然自己已經收集了很多襪子織圖. 特里同是瑪姐推薦的幾個織圖之一. 很快就決定打這雙是看上它簡單大方易織的三叉戟蕾絲花. 特里同是希臘神話中海神波賽頓的兒子, 手持的武器就是三叉戟. 這雙襪子因蕾絲模樣形似三叉戟而命名為特里同.



What's different is that this is my first pair of socks with Eye of Partridge heel. I saw dear Marie Adeline did it on a pair of socks designed by herself and have been wanting to knit that heel. Actually, it was the heel that made me chose the pattern.

這雙襪與以往打的不同處是腳跟, 不是常見的滑針 + 下針而是鷓鴣眼模樣. 之前看到 Marie Adeline 自己設計的襪子上運用這種腳跟花, 就很想打來穿穿看. 其實, 會選這雙來打就是因為這個腳跟!



Eye of Partridge heel 鷓鴣眼腳跟


Eye of Partridge heel 鷓鴣眼腳跟


For unknow reasons, I CO with larger 2.25mm needles. Maybe I thought my feet would feel more comfortable around my protruding joins of thumb phalange and metatarsus. It does! And I changed back to smaller 2mm needles for knitting the remainder of the socks.

不知為何, 用了 2.25mm (而非 2mm) 起針. 也許我覺得這樣打出來會稍微鬆些, 穿在我突出的大拇指根部骨頭部位會舒服些. 真的也! 等過了那塊骨頭就換回 2mm 的針打.



The lace pattern was really nice and easy to knit. I don't think I've ever enjoyed knitting socks as much as this pair.

三叉戟蕾絲花簡單易織易記. 這雙襪子是我打得最愉快的一次.



The first half of the feet was knitted with larger needles 腳底前半是用較大號的針打的



Recently I learned that a longer heel flap can better fit higher instep. I've knitted quite some socks, more than a dozen so far, and I really want to try a longer heel flap and see how it fits. Actually, I think not only it might feel better but also easier to put on. I found pulling up knitted socks a little difficult, cuff-down or toe-up, all the same. At first I thought it was the elasticity of the cuff. Now I think it's the heel flap, for the socks kind of got stuck at the heel while being put on.

最近發現腳跟如果打長點對腳背高的人來說會比較好穿. 打了超過一打的襪子, 無論打鬆打緊, 趾起筒下, 在襪子要過腳跟時一定會卡一下. 以前一直認為是襪頭鬆緊度不夠的關係, 現在看來是因為我腳背高, 腳跟不夠長的關係. 下一雙要來打個長一點的腳跟...



It is obvious that the sock stretches/strains at the front of the ankles 腳踝前方的襪子撐得很黑厲害

Sur un petit nuage 在小小雲端上

Malabrigo Lace Merino in Tuareg Malabrigo美麗諾蕾絲線(顏色)圖瓦雷克


First off, I'd like to say something about the yarn color. None of these photos are true to it. It's really hard to capture on camera. Maybe the yarn skein photo is closer but the actual color is much deeper and has a little more indigo hue. Tuareg is a beautiful and fascinating color, and I hope the receiver of this shawlette/scarf will appreciate it as much as I do.

首先, 關於毛線的顏色. 這裡的照片沒有一張是實際顏色. 這顏色很難拍. 大概只有毛線絞這張算接近. 但實品顏色深很多, 且帶點靛藍. 圖瓦雷克是個很漂亮且很迷人的顏色. 希望小披肩的主人會跟我一樣喜歡這個顏色.

The actual color is like Indigo Dye, with the following coordinates:
Hex triplet #00416A
RGB (0, 65, 106)
HSV (203°, 100%, 42%)

實品顏色跟很靛青染料色很接近:
網頁顏色 #1A5798
RGB (0, 65, 106)
HSV (203°, 100%, 42%)



Some info on Tuareg People (quoted from Wikipedia)

The Tuareg (also Twareg or Touareg, Berber: Imuhagh, besides regional ethnyms) are a Berber nomadic pastoralist people. They are the principal inhabitants of the Saharan interior of North Africa.

The Tuareg are sometimes called the "Blue People" because the indigo pigment in the cloth of their traditional robes and turbans stained their skin dark blue. Today, the traditional indigo turban is still preferred for celebrations, and generally Tuaregs wear clothing and turbans in a variety of colors.

關於圖瓦雷克人 (轉貼自維基百科)

圖瓦雷克人（Tuareg或Touareg）是一支主要分佈於非洲撒哈拉沙漠週邊地帶的遊牧民族，是散佈在非洲北部廣大地區的柏柏爾（Berber）部族中的一支。以迥異於周邊民族的文字、語言與獨特的遊牧生活出名，今日的圖瓦雷克主要分佈在包括馬利、尼日、阿爾及利亞、利比亞與布吉納法索在內，原本是法屬殖民地的北非與西非國家境內

圖瓦雷克是一個母系社會（matrilineal）的民族，但並非母權社會（matriarchal）。雖然主要是信奉伊斯蘭教， 但是迥異於其他伊斯蘭文化，圖瓦雷克並沒有女性需要蒙面的傳統，相反的在圖瓦雷克社會中，年滿25歲的男性才需要配戴面紗。圖瓦雷克的男性傳統上佩帶著5 公尺長的藍紫色面紗，稱為Tagelmust，根據他們的信仰認為這面紗能替其阻擋所有的邪靈，因此縱使在女性家人的面前也不能拿下，但一般認為，佩帶面 紗的傳統應該是起因於為了抵禦沙漠地區強大的風暴。由於深藍色面紗對於該民族的重要，使得其間接也變成圖瓦雷克民族的識別象徵，而往往又被稱為「沙漠中的藍人」。



Here are some links to photos that presents the color more closely to the yarn:
Photo 1
Photo 2
Photo 3

幾個顏色較接近毛線顏色的照片連結:
照片 1
照片 2
照片 3



Now, about Sur un petit nuage. It's a lovely lace shawl designed by Marie-Adeline Boyer. She herself made several of it in all sizes and different weights of yarn. One can easily adapt the pattern according to her liking: scarf, shawlette, shawl, big shawl etc. The lace patterns are easy to memorize. Le nuage - the feather and fan pattern is classic and one of my favorites and I'm never tired of it!

關於小小雲端上, 是 Marie-Adeline Boyer 設計的蕾絲披肩. 她自己用不同粗細的線打了好幾條不同尺寸的披肩. 編織者可以把織圖依自己的喜好打成想要的大小. 蕾絲模樣也很容易記, 雲的模樣 - 羽扇模樣是我最喜歡的蕾絲模樣之一呢!



A couple of months ago, Mary had an idea and suggested that we have a Christmas Gift Exchange. It wasn't specific to knitting, but looks like in the end, is it! People in this little circle of ours are all knitters. Actually, I was the one who said I would knit a shawlette/scarf for whoever draws up my name, but she had to wait a little longer for I couldn't make it before Christmas. So, the schedule was postponed until Chinese New Year.

去年某月瑪莉小姐起意說來個聖誕禮物交換. 這本只是禮物交換, 不過到了最後似乎變成編織品交換啦! 因為參加交換的這些人都是織女嘛! 其是, 是我先講自己要手作, 但聖誕節前是來不及完成的, 請抽到我的禮物的人等一下. 後來就變成過年前交換.



I already had specifics in mind that it would be either Holden, Echo Flower or Sur un petit nuage. After we made the draw and knew my recipient was wenzi, the decision was made immediately: Sur un petit nuage. And to fulfill her preference of the color blue, I have several blue lace yarns to choose from in the stash.

當時心裡已經想到要不是打霍爾登, 艾蔻花, 再不然就是小小雲端上. 抽籤結果出來知道是蚊子抽到我的禮物, 當下就決定打小小雲端上. 且庫存中有不少蚊子喜歡的藍色蕾絲線可供挑選.





The shawlette was intended to be a one skein project, a very practical accessory in this abnormally cold winter we're having here in Taiwan. Having a scarf in mind, I knitted the little hearts according to the scarf sizing in the pattern (8 repeats) and than started the cloud pattern.

一開始就設定好尺寸是小披肩/圍巾, 非常適合現在天氣異常冷得不得了的台灣, 更適合怕冷的蚊子! 因為設定是圍巾, 所以照織圖打了八個重複的愛心模樣, 然後開始雲模樣.



Like Spring Tulips Stole, I knitted with 3.25mm needles. I didn't want to at first for the last time I used 3.25mm with Malabrigo Lace Merino, it resulted in quite a tight knit lace. I did try with 3.5mm but oddly the lace was too loose and the heart pattern kind of broke down.

和春之鬱金香一樣, 我用 3.25mm 的打. 本來不想因為上次用 3.25mm 打 Malabrigo 蕾絲線結果蕾絲花太緊. 我有用 3.5mm 去測織, 很奇怪地蕾絲花比 3.25mm 織出來差很大, 小愛心的模樣一整個散掉, 根本看不出來是甚麼東西.



Not until I finished the repeats for scarf on the feather and fan pattern did I find the yarn left was plenty. So I kept on knitting f&f and regretted knitting too little repeats of the little hearts. When I BO after the 3rd f&f repeat on chart E 4th time, I have absolutely no yarn left. Seriously. All used up. There wasn't even much of a yarn tail to weave in (about 1cm)!

一直等到打完圍金大小的雲模樣重複數次數後, 發現線還剩很多, 於是, 繼續打雲模樣然後心裡邊抱怨早知道小愛心就打披肩尺寸的十二重複. 最後, 雲模樣打到表 E 第四次中第三次雲重複後收針. 一點線都沒剩. 真的. 根本沒甚麼線頭可收 (約一公分而已).






Blocking this shawlette was a little tricky. The undulating f&f couldn't be pulled into spikey points, so I had to lightly fan-pin out the fans and after a while when it's half dry but still a little damp, unpin and smooth them out. I stood the blocking mat against the wall to let gravity and moisture pull down the fans for me.

定型小披肩還有點傷腦筋, 因為羽扇模樣的邊是波浪狀, 不能定成尖角, 所以我先把扇形部分用幾枝針撐開, 待半乾時把針拆掉, 撫平整順扇形邊, 然後把定型的 EVA 墊立起來靠牆站, 讓水分和地心引力幫忙把扇形拉出來.







Little hearts on the cloud 心在雲端上

Toasty 暖融融

I spent quite a lot of time searching for fingerless mitt patterns. One day I encountered Toast/Toasty and was enchanted. I had just the right yarn for it and I really needed long fingerless mitts to pair with my 1/2 and 3/4 sleeve pullovers/cardigans.

最近花了不少時間搜尋無指手套的織圖. 有一天忽然看到暖烘烘/暖融融, 頓時驚為天人. 手邊剛好有很適合的線可打, 太高興了, 因為我很需要一雙長的無指手套搭配五分和七分袖的毛衣和開襟外套.


The mitts are about 13", 2" longer than the pattern required. The palm and thumb are also longer, so that I can roll them down when I'm outdoors and roll them up indoors.

手套總共約 13 吋長, 比原作長 2 吋. 手掌和大拇指部分也有加長, 這樣在戶外可以攤平遮蓋住大部分的手, 在室內可捲起來露出多一點的手指頭.



Paired with Un peu de chance Cardigan, a 3/4-sleeve cardigan. 與七分袖一點好運開襟外套搭配


I followed napkinpeom's note and knitted gussets for thumbs to better accommodate my wide palms. And I really like the result. I increased until 13 sts for the thumb.

我採用 napkinpeom 的筆記建議以加針法打大拇指, 這樣我的寬手掌戴起來才比較服貼舒適. 加針法打出來的結果非常令人滿意. 大拇指部分我加針加到13針, 原作為 11 針.



Approximately 13" long. 總長約 13 吋, 比原作長 2 吋.


Gussets were used to make the thumbs, to better fit my wide palm. 拇指以加針法做, 我的寬手掌戴起來比較浮貼.


This can be counted as a one skein project.

這雙手套一球線就可以完成.

Mittens for S&S 兩小的手套

Cold fronts have been hitting Taiwan consecutively for over a month, and it's getting colder and colder. We were having single digits suchs as 6C in the city. It's really harsh for houses in sub- tropical Taiwan are not equipped with central heating. Although the twins have cashmere berets to keep their heads warm, but the hands were like icicles. I needed to knit up 2 pairs of mitts FAST!

一個月多月來寒流不斷, 越來越冷. 兩小雖有 cashmere 的貝雷帽保護頭和耳朵, 但手還是露在外面, 到了幼稚園都變成冰棒手. 所以我得馬上生出兩雙手套來給兩小.


After searching through Ravelry, downloading and saving many patterns for mittens, I decided to knit Gifted by Kate Gilbert. It's easy to read, to knit and I happen to have some worsted weight leftovers. Scarlett's yarn is leftover from her Babydoll Tunic while Sebastian's yarn is leftover from my Oblique Cardigan.

花了不少時間在 Ravelry 上賴賴索, 抓了一堆手套織圖後決定打 Kate Gilbert 的 Gifted. 簡單好打且剛好有點的剩線可用. 若的是她泡泡袖娃娃裝剩的線, 謙的是我斜斜開襟外套剩的線.


They took me an afternoon and a night. Actully Scarlett's 1st mitt took me most of the afternoon, for I ripped 2 times. I wanted to make it right. Not to big but has to have a little room for growth, and not to tight then it could only be worn this season. After Scarlett's 1 st mitt, it was as easy as a breeze.

2 雙手套花了一下午 + 一晚上. 其實若的第一隻花了幾乎一下午, 拆了兩次, 我想把它弄對. 我想打有一點鬆分可以讓手掌大但又不能太大, 太小了就只能待這兩個月. 若的第一隻弄清楚後, 後面 3 織就很輕鬆了.


And I enjoyed knitting them! I wanted a pair for myself!

這手套打起來很好玩, 我自己也想要一雙!



The right hand thumb is 2 rows longer than the left. 若右手拇指比左手多兩排.


Sebastian's thumbs are 2 rows shorter than Scarlett's. She has longer fingers. 謙的拇指比若的少2排.若的手指比較長.


Actually, I wanted to knit stranded mittens or mittens with motif (Hello Kitty, Totoro etc.). But as it was emergency, so I had to knit with solid colors.

其實, 我是想打配色或是有花樣的 (Hello Kitty, 龍貓等等), 不過這次是急著要戴, 所以先打素色的囉!

Snow White and Goldilocks Sachets 白雪和金捲毛小包

Goldilocks 金捲毛

Yarn for Goldilocks is leftover from Citron a la espanola. Actually it was 50g of sock yarn and I tried to use up all of it. Should have started eyelets rows earlier to make it prettier. Goldilocks Sachet is for Ms Mini's Carrot Percy.

金捲毛是用西班牙版香櫞打剩的金黃色線做的. 說是剩線其實有半球, 我盡線打, 把它用掉. 不過太晚打洞眼, 所以頭上不夠長, 看起來拙拙的. 金捲毛小袋是用來放 Mini 老師的卡羅特珀西小披肩的.



Snow White Sachet 白雪小包

Yarn for Snow White is pure wool lace yarn held doubled. This time I started eyelets earlier and trimmed the velvet ribbon. Snow White is for wenzi's Sur un petit nuage, X'mas exchange 2010.

白雪小包的線是 Kolka 純羊毛極細線兩股併織做的. 這次洞眼比較早做, 比例一整個變好, 絲絨緞帶也裁過, 之前 Mini 老師的太長了點. 白雪小包是裝蚊子的 2010 聖誕節交換禮物: 小小雲端上小披肩.

Carrot Percy 卡羅特珀西小披肩

One day some time last September, I wore Percy on a windy morning when I sent the twins to Kindergarten, Ms Mini saw it and marvelled it for quite a while. From her blog I found that she's a Capricorn, like the twins, so I secretly asked Ms Su when is Ms Mini's birthday (sometime in January). So I decided to knit her a Percy Shawlette in one of her favorite color orange.

九月一個風大的早上, 我圍著珀西小披肩(當圍巾用)送兩小去幼稚園, Mini 老師看到了喜歡得不的了. 從 Mini 老師的幼教部落格上知道老師和兩小一樣是魔羯座, 於是偷偷向蘇老師打聽 Mini 老師的生日, 是一月某日. 於是決定用 Mini 老師喜歡的橘色打條珀西小披肩給老師當生日禮物.


I ordered the yarn and sent it to dear Mary's sister's house before Mary went to the States. She was so sweet to bring it back for me, among other things.

親愛的瑪莉十月去美國前就下單買了線 (和其他東西) 寄到瑪莉的姊解家, 再請瑪莉帶回來.


So I had plenty of time to knit with this glorious Knit Picks Gloss Lace, and with previous experience, I know that knitting Percy slow is the key to success. I did not rip one row. Unravelled a few stitches only. YAY!

因此, 這次有充裕的時間用這組 KP 的 Gloss 蕾絲線慢慢打珀西. 根據上次經驗, 打珀西不能急. 這次都沒有拆, 頂多改幾針. 耶~




The shawlette was started and finished in December. I didn't block it right away and when I did, I found that 1 stith was dropped while binding off. It was really bizarre. I thought if a stitch was dropped the bind-off process would be interrupted. Anyway, I ripped the BO and redid it, making sure I got every stitch, and block it again.

小披肩十二月開打十二月完成, 不過沒有馬上定型. 定型時發現收針時有一針沒收到. 很奇怪. 如果沒收到, 後面的針也應該收不起來吧? 反正, 就是把針再打開重收一次, 再重新定型.


It was perfect!

這次結果很完美!


I was amazed how KP Gloss presented the pattern. It was so crisp and well-defined.

KP 的 Gloss 蕾絲線打作品真的很美, 充分展現蕾絲花, 且花樣分明清晰.






Ms. Mini was thrilled! She was going to show it off to her friends!

Mini 老師超開心的說要去跟朋友炫耀!