aswim in knits

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

yarn/design suggestions needed

So, Boss Lady has declined all of my Christmas gift suggestions. Instead, she's requested a pair of convertible or "flip-top" mittens, like these or these or these. And, like last year, she was specific in her yarn request -- soft, black, and not too bulky.

So, two questions:

1) Any suggestions for a good soft black yarn, probably DK or worsted, maybe aran? Yeah, I know there are tons out there, but I'm feeling lazy and I want to know what YOU think would be good. It would be even better if it is available widely, or at Webs (I'll be there soon.)

2) Again, being lazy, I'm thinking of making the "inside" part, underneath the mitten flip top, like mittens (i.e. all 4 fingers come through one opening) instead of the more popular "glitten" style of 4 separate finger tubes. Is there any reason NOT to do this? Do the individual glove fingers keep you warmer or function any better?

Inquiring minds want to know.

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posted by Danielle at Wednesday, November 14, 2007

21 Comments:

  • I had a pair of Gap kids glittens last year, and I think my poor fingers were the colder for being separated into four little tubes. No body heat.

    I'm making a pair of flip top mittens (probably Broadstreet) for my boy's step dad, who has gout in his fingers which makes them all misshapen. I cannot see making the poor man force his pained fingers through four fingerholes, so I'm doing the same thing you are (all one hole, not separate). Shouldn't be too hard to alter the pattern, I think.

    A yarn that I love to have on my hands: Debbie Bliss cashmerino. Made three pairs of Fetching out of it last year for friends and family, and everyone loved it.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:14 PM  

  • I think the only reason not to do it like an open-top mitten is that it might bag open a little, letting the cold in, in which case doing the top like it's done in these fingerless gloves (PDF) might be the trick.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:18 PM  

  • I knit one glitten and never finished it's mate. I hated the bulk of the yarn between my fingers.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5:13 PM  

  • Gems merino.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:22 PM  

  • I don't like glittens. One opening is great, for both bulk and heat.

    My mitts are in Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride worsted... I love them!

    By Blogger bellamoden, at 6:52 PM  

  • Gems merino (is there a worsted??) would be great. Or maybe a Debbie Bliss - it would be washable.

    By Blogger Chris, at 7:07 PM  

  • I definitely prefer the finger tubes as the absence yields an edge that curls under and drives me nuts.

    By Blogger Julie, at 7:13 PM  

  • i've made two of the urban necessity glittens in swish from knitpicks. it's very soft and perfect for that pattern. the only thing that i have to say is that it pilled and got pretty beaten up pretty quickly, especially with velcro on my coat!

    By Blogger spajonas, at 7:27 PM  

  • ok, I won't rave aboutthe yarn I thinkyou should se as i am fairly sure that you can only get it in Montreal... sorry.
    I think that one big hole is better than the glitten style, keeps your hands warmer, I know cause it gets cold here!

    By Blogger J., at 7:36 PM  

  • My recent ones had cut off finger tips - My next will not! Mainly because I hate fiddling with fingers - hopefully they will be fine with a big hole??
    Adrian's link is an interesting idea, but I don't even think I'll do that.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:31 PM  

  • patons merino -- it's warm, soft and cheap.

    By Blogger maryse, at 11:15 PM  

  • I was going to say Paton's merino... warm soft and cheap. DB Cashmerino if you think she'll toss them Mr. Washie and Mrs. Dryer. I prefer the flip tops without the glove-y part... mitten-y keeps fingers warmer. :)

    By Blogger Mini, at 8:29 AM  

  • Maybe Berroco Softwist? It can be a litle splitty, but it would be soft and kinda dressy-looking.

    By Blogger Katie, at 10:17 AM  

  • Debbie Bliss cashmerino. No fingers will work. Just end with some ribbing over the knuckles and end just half way up the middle or pointer finger.

    just my 2cents worth.

    By Blogger Rhonda the Stitchingnut, at 10:30 AM  

  • I love Peruvian Baby Silk at elann.com. It's fingering weight but at $2.85/ball (109yards/each), it'd be easy to double it!

    By Blogger 5elementknitr, at 11:04 AM  

  • I hate to say it, since we were just there and all, but... Morehouse Merino! My very favorite pair of fingerless mittens were done with their 3-strand yarn, and they have held up beautifully over the past two or three years. (I knit them pretty densely, which helps.)

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:12 AM  

  • I would think having all 4 fingers together would keep them warmer.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:21 AM  

  • I made the Fetching fingerless mitts with RYC Cashsoft Aran and they're incredibly soft. DB Cashmerino should be good too. I would think making the inside part more like a mitten would be warmer, but perhaps not as easy to manipulate things.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:54 PM  

  • I could have sworn I commented yesterday. Valley Yarns Stockbridge. No opinion on the fingers, although I have a (store-bought) pair with fingers and love them.

    By Blogger Lucia, at 9:00 AM  

  • I was thinking Cashmerino.

    No idea on the fingers vs. mitten under the flap though.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 3:53 PM  

  • I would think it would be easier to fold the flap over the four finger version than try to flip it over what is essentially a sheath.

    I live in a pair of these gloves during ski season, and it has the four tubes. Love the tubes.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:52 PM  

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