In Italian ‘mittente’ is the sender of a package/letter. I like the idea of hands as instruments for ‘giving’ and how the Italian word begins like ‘mitt’ so I used that for my project name.
Struggling with gauge as usual and after reading lots of project notes that talked about how they were large, I decided to just go down a needle size. My gauge swatch felt firm but it measures correctly so I’ll trust that over more stitches it won’t come out so stiff.
So, cast on the req. 74st. But on 1.75mm (00) needles and off we go!
Fun pattern and easy to remember after a while, have to watch that my tension doesn’t get too loose - I wear a 7-1/2 glove and these are just exactly small enough if I keep the tension/gauge correct. Ambivalent about the faux garter stitch edging - it’s okay on the bottom but I’m not sure I want that thick band at the top or around the thumb. I’m considering changing it to 1x1 rib on the 00 needles to keep it snug or just going to stockinette and letting it roll…? Still a ways to go so I have plenty of time to decide. Meanwhile started the bottom of the second mitt.
01-25-2017
Decided to decrease at the top as hypecity and several others did. After the last pattern row I knit the one row of solid black on 00 (1.75mm) needles, decreasing 3 stitches on the ‘back’ and 3 stitches on the ‘front’ of the mitt and it seems to have done the trick. I think it will also get better after blocking. On to the second one ;)
02-27-2017
Finished the first mitt and half-way through the second one, I have the pattern memorised now and that helps things go faster. Despite knitting the garter band on micro-needles (00) and reducing the stitch count at the top, both top and bottom edges are a bit sloppy…will wait until they’re both finished, washed and blocked before I decide if it’s a permanent (and bothersome) problem.
07-08-2017
Finished, washed and blocked. Never quite got what I wanted with the row gauge on these but the stitch gauge was correct and despite all of my adjustments, they still gap at the top, particularly on the palm side. I’ll probably wear them anyway but I think I liked the idea of these and the look of the pattern more than I like the actual mitts. However, it’s summer so I’ll let you know if I change my mind when it gets cold ;).
02-21-2019 - update on FO
I’ve worn these for two winters now and I have to say that my opinion of them has improved. As I washed them a few times and wore them often the gapping at the top band has gone away. I think that’s because they’ve softened with wear and washing. The very neutral colour scheme is very wearable.