A Folky mitten.

So while Helgi's Mittens await colder days, I've done the most sensible thing I could think of (further proof that I am not to be trusted,) which is cast on for another pair of mitts. For this pair, I've dipped into Lizbeth Upitis' Latvian Mittens, fished out a chart sight-unseen and grabbed suitably garish, peasanty colours to work with. The result is, well...

Well, here it is with Plastic Rooster standing on top of it (he's becoming something of a staple in my mitten photo shoots.) This is the better part of the cuff of the first mitten. It's a very long cuff. It's got ribbing, it's got purled bands, it's got a rep of the palm motif in there and a massive colourwork band that I am in LOVE with. The whole thing runs halfway down my forearm, which is not a terrible thing, really. I was bound and determined not to cut any motifs out of the chart I was working from, as I did this last time, and while you'd never know unless I told you, it threw off the symmetry of the finished cuff. Just thinking about it drives me batty.

The cuff on this current mitten is actually so long that for about five minutes I considered turning them into fingerless mitts. Luckily, the mood passed. Every good Latvian mitten deserves a cleverly hidden Latvian thumb, and I would've hated to deprive these mittens from what is essentially their birthright. I should have the first mitt finished in the next couple of days so you can see what I mean.

Check this out...

As seen on my Ravelry profile page:

Six socks, two pairs of mittens and one scarf. There are no great surprises here, as those of you who know me as a knitter can attest (I have yet to be drawn to the Sweater Side, though some are trying.)

All that aside, it was the colours in this composite that really caught my eye -- purple, green and brown. It seems that now I'm even coordinating my finished objects to match.

If you don't recognize the mitts in the top left corner, that's because they were knit together in a hurry. I did this mainly so my gauge wouldn't go and change on me over time (which for some reason I'm still wary of, though this might all be in my head.) They're Nancy Bush's Helgi's Mittens from Folk Knitting in Estonia.

The yarn is Knit Picks Palette in Ivy and Verdant Heather -- one ball of each. It's hard to argue with a $4 pair of mittens (though their value ultimately rises considerably by the time one holds a finished pair.) That's the magic of mittens.

Yukari is ready and waiting!

Finally, finally, Yukari is done!

Pretty, lacy socks that have been specifically engineered to compatable with ONE SKEIN of Colinette Jitterbug. Yes, you can comfortably knit a pair of top-down socks (Women’s medium, US sizes 7-9) without fear of running out of yarn (when the pattern’s leg and foot length are followed, of course.)

Naturally, you don't need to wait until you have a skein of Jitterbug on hand to kit Yukari -- she's equally pretty in any other fingering yarn. Semi-solids and solid coloured yarns would show off her patterning nicely, but variegated yarns are lots of fun, too.

If you're looking for a quick, easy and lacy sock to knit, Yukari's your girl!

Size: Women’s Medium (or any foot/leg that is 8” in circumference.)

Gauge: 8 stitches = 1 inch (2.5 cm) in Stockinette st.

Yarn: This pattern has been specifically written so that 1 skein of Colinette Jitterbug (320 yd / 100 g) will produce one complete pair of Women’s Medium socks. The sock shown here is knit in the Summer Berries colourway. Any other fingering weight yarn (of comparable or greater yardage) may be used, in either a solid, semi-solid or variegated colourway.

Needles: One set of five (5) double pointed needles in US 2 (2.75 mm) or size necessary to obtain gauge.

Notions: A stitch marker to mark beginning of round (optional,) and a sewing needle to weave in ends.

Skills Needed: Knitting in the round, lace, twisted stitches, chart reading and grafting.

To purchase: If you are a Ravelry user, please use the "buy now" button under Kethry's picture in the sidebar to the right to pay via PayPal to receive an expiring link to download the pattern instantly.

If you are not on Ravelry, please visit my Etsy shop, located to purchase a copy of the pattern. Please disregard the shipping costs -- when payment is received a copy of the pattern will be sent to the email address provided.