Katie Himmelberg, style editor of Knitscene and assistant editor of Interweave Knits, is today's guest poster! Here's what she has to say about our new free pattern, the Lacy Mesh Gloves, designed by Eunny Jang.
Eunny Jang's Lacy Mesh Gloves
Who could be a formidable match to the ever dapper Cary Grant’s cat burglar in “To Catch a Thief”? Why, none other than the icon of ladylike style, Grace Kelly, of course! In 1955, a lady of her decorum was surely not to be spied without the proper attire for any occasion, and her character’s driving gloves in this film sure fit the bill.
I have a soft spot for the days when ladies wore hats and gloves; I’ve often wished that I could pull off a smashing little topper or a pair of pure lily white gloves, but in truth, they suit neither my lifestyle nor my personal style. But a pair of lacy gloves in an off-white no-one-will-notice-I-spilled-something-on-these shade (also known as “beige”) would be perfect with many of my usual spring outfits. I could see myself zipping around in a fitted denim jacket, full printed skirt, and these dainty gloves.
Though I’ve never knit a pair of gloves, I think these would be a breeze to complete; the open lacey pattern will knit up fast and the construction is straightforward. I think I’d add a flashy vintage button to the slit to personalize the pair. Mix it up; whether you choose a funky or understated color, these gloves can become your own to suit your style.
by Katie Himmelberg
Assistant Editor, Interweave Knits
Style Editor, Knitscene
Fearless Knitting Tip!
Never tried knitting gloves before?
Here's a couple of Sandi's knitting "finger" tips: (Sorry. I couldn't resist.)
Gloves aren't that hard, just a tad fiddly—but hey, we're fearless knitters here, right? If you can master a few dpns, then you can definitely knit a glove. Here's the scoop: You knit the wrist and hand in the round on dpns, then divide up the stitches for each finger, putting four of the fingers on waste yarn while you work on one finger at a time—again in the round on dpns. Each finger is just a few stitches per needle, so this is where it can get fiddly!
Tip #1: Short needles help save your sanity. Use very short dpns for the fingers (there are 4-5" sets made especially for this purpose) and keep breathing! Soon you'll have four fingers, a thumb, and perpetual glove-maker's bragging rights.
Tip #2: Waste yarn, yes. Stitch holders, nope. When the instructions say "use waste yarn to hold the other finger stitches"—believe them! Waste yarn helps you fold the "other" fingers out of the way while you concentrate on the one you are currently knitting. If you use stitch holders for the "other fingers," the stitch holders might get snagged on your dpns as you work your way around.
Tip #3: Not all waste yarns are created equal. I use a really smooth, colorfast cotton yarn in a bright, contrasting color to the yarn I am knitting with, so I can clearly see where all my stitches are.
Sandi Wiseheart is the founding editor of Knitting Daily. She is now the author of the popular Knitting Daily blog: What's on Sandi's Needles.