Sigh. Such a pretty pattern, so much consternation.

First, Gauge didn’t particularly feel like cooperating. 12 sti is asking a lot out of fingering weight yarn and, my hands. Tried different needles, tinkered with the amount of stitches but it wasn’t gonna happen.

Now here’s a curious thing: the mitts pictured with the pattern are beaded and appear a perfect match to the instructions. In the straight colorwork version there seems to be a slightly raised ridge, as if they were taken in on the side. Regardless, I gave up and decided to do a pillow because after splurging on the pattern I was gonna have something to show for it, dang it.

Then the Charts, taking a cue from Gauge, decided to cause their own mischief. They are in watercolor. Pretty and a clever way to show the creative process but I found them tricky to follow. At times the gridlines are obscured and the squares are teeny-tiny. Once you get the pattern going it’s a bit easier and the designer was kind enough to send me a higher resolution of the charts. Still, after 6 rows I ended up downloading the knitCompanion app. It’s fabulous, by the way.

May 14, 2014, The Finale:

Not one of my best efforts. Mistakes here and there. The Cascade and Harrisville knit up at two different gauges but couldn’t resist the color combo. The Harrisville is really rough and bet it would felt if you so much as gave it a heated glance.

This pattern really should have been test knit a few more times before being offered for sale. The design for the small size has a lot left out in comparison to the pattern picture.

Of course finding a pillow form would be tricky. Had to order online and was sent the wrong size. Didn’t care, used it anyway and added pompoms to amuse myself (and the cats).