Hello darkness

…my old friend.  (Name that tune.)

Well, I was going to show you the pair of seamless slippers I finished Sunday night but the lighting was terrible and I go to work in the dark and return in the dark.

I knit this slipper at the end of October and finally got the mate done.  Pretend there are two slippers here.

slipper

I plan to make two more pair before Christmas.  I’m using acrylic yarn (don’t judge) as that is what I have tons of and it really holds up well for these seamless slippers.  It’s a bit hard on my hands and fingers.

Orange seamless slippers

Orange seamless slippers

I will sew replacement carpet soles on these as well as add pompoms.

Seamless slippers in autumn with soles

Seamless slippers in autumn with soles

Usefulness

I’ve had a couple of people ask me what is the use of fingerless mitts.

Mitts-for-Pat-2

Having fingers exposed allows one to use their fingers while keeping the rest of their han and wrist warm.  Think of buttoning you child’s coat or tieing their shoes when it’s cold outside.  Feeling for something (keys, lip gloss, tissues, gum) in your purse without taking your gloves or mittens off.  Answering your cell phone or texting.  Buckling your child into a car seat when it’s c-o-l-d outside.  Typing, filing, taking notes in a cold classroom or office.

The difference between fingerless mitts and fingerless gloves is (IMHO) is that fingerless mitts just end so the fingers are free while fingerless gloves have topless fingers.

I’ve made a combination of fingerless gloves and mittens once for a friend who loves to take photographs on the C&O Canal towpath in our area.  Ever try to take a picture with gloves on?  The pattern is called “Glittens” by Nuttinbutknittin.

Glittens for Mark 2007

Glittens for Mark 2007

On the other hand (no pun intended) many pairs of fingerless mitts have come off my knitting needles.

office-mitts.1

Fingerless mitts for my office, Christmas 2011.

Mr Aitch's Musica Mitts 2010

Mr Aitch’s Musica Mitts 2010

Fingerless mitts for Mr. Aitch.

Leah's Musica Mitts

Leah’s Musica Mitts

Fingerless mitts for my friend Leah.

Mitts-for-Pat-1

Fingerless mitts for my friend Pat.

Chreey-Berry-mitts-001

Fingerless mitts for ME!

Have you made or own any fingerless mitts or gloves?

Do you find them useful?

Opportunity

Doing the NaBloPoMo (National Blog Post Month) has been a challenge to say the least.  My postings have been few and far between for well over a year.  When the opportunity to get back in the saddle came along, I decided to accept the challenge and post every day during November.

Todays post is about the Olive Oil Drip Catcher pattern I put in the My Designs page of this blog.  This little pattern has been one of my most popular.

Olive-oil-sleeve-003.1

It’s a quick knit using a small amount of fingering yarn.  Although I haven’t measured the amount of yarn, I do believe it is under 20 yards.

And it’s useful.

Want to learn how to knit with double-point needles but don’t want to commit to knitting a sock?  Here’s your opportunity to try this pattern.

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If you don’t like the ruffle edge, just bind off before the increases.

Are you planning on gifting anyone with a bottle of flavored dipping olive oil or vinegar for Christmas (or Holiday of your choice)?  The Olive Oil Drip Catcher would be the perfect accompaniment, well, along with a loaf or two of great bread.

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And while I’m at it, I’m taking the opportunity to plug one of my favorite stores:  Olive My Heart in Hudson, Ohio.  Yes, they do ship!

omh

Kn words

I don’t understand why there is a silent “k” at the beginning of some words.  I’m sure there is a very good reason, right? But since I have the day off, I’m not going to use my valuable “me” time to do a search.

Knife or knives.

Hiding between my windows at the kitchen sink and a side cabinet…

window-kitchen

… is a magnetic knife rack.

knife-rack-003

I love this thing.   All my good cutting knives are hanging there in plain sight so all I have to do is reach up and grab what I need.  These used to be in a drawer in cardboard sleeves to protect the cutting edge and fingers.  Not convenient, well, being in a drawer was not convenient.  Protecting one’s fingers was convenient.

Knitting.

Of course I had to include some knitting!

slipper

I knit this one, lone, seamless slipper on a bus trip I took recently.  Only had enough time to knit the one and it’s missing its mate.  Even though it doesn’t know it is supposed to have a mate.

If you’ve tried to knit these, the hardest part (IMHO) is the beginning.  The pattern is right at the top of this blog.  Under the header.   My designs.

Or click on this link.  It will take you right to it.

One last thing…  A BIG thank you to all our Veterans who have served this great country to keep us safe and free.  God Bless You!

veterans-day