10.13.2011

Flying Along

After taking an all day class in Tvaandstickning Mitten  (aka twisted knitting) last spring I resolved to make a pair of mittens using the technique right away before I forgot everything I learned.  Ahem...I didn't do that. So now, months later when I did take a run at it I was anticipating a lot of heartache and the beginning of the project didn't disappoint on that. I got off to a slowish start, working the cuff twice after ripping out my first attempt.

In fairly short order though my twisting technique began working well and now I'm moving along faster than I thought would be possible. (I guess 'bottom line, they are mittens in worsted yarn - how long can that really take anyway?)

'End of last week...

Yesterday afternoon...

This morning...(after knitting the mitten tip twice - first time decreasing every other row instead of both ends of every one ooops!)
The technique requires a constant twisting of the two yarns around each other in the same direction, so excess twist must be released.  The prescribed technique is to unspin the yarn but I'm finding unspinning the mitt works just as well.

I'm off to a Dental appointment downtown via the subway this afternoon so I'll take the mate for this little guy along for the ride!

I hoping these will be done before I know it!

5 comments:

Brendaknits said...

They look nice. Are you enjoying them or is it frustrating?

Stephanie said...

That definitely looks like a challenge. (I love knitting that looks like a challenge!) I don't think I've seen anything similar before. Hope you're still getting it. :)

Bibi said...

beautifull!black swan!

LaurieM said...

They look lovely. I tried the technique once and found it very slow. Also, I read that you should really use Z-twist plied yarn which is the opposite of most commercial yarns.

Did you find some Z-twist yarn? I guess that now I'm a spinner, there are no more excuses... Except for time. :)

Sandra said...

Beautiful mittens and great technique. I had my husband jury rig something for me when I tried it - a lazy susan with two dowels sticking up - place each skein on a dowel, nad when you need to untwist, simply give the lazy susan a spin in the opposite direction. (Although I used the "dropping the mitten and giving it a ride" method as well).