Fetching Cabled Fingerless Mitts

I recently finished these Fetching Cabled Fingerless Mitts, designed by Cheryl Niamath.  The pattern is available at Knitty:
http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer06/PATTfetching.html

I followed the pattern except that I used Mochi Plus, a merino/nylon blend yarn that is soft, scrumptiously warm and cozy.  As you can see, the mitts as knitted are too small for me.  So these will go to a friend with smaller hands.

I have started a second pair and am increasing each section by  5-6 rows.  They are a fast knit and I can't wait to be able to wear them on cold mornings driving to work!

More Knitting Mindfully

 

I spent several days between Christmas and New Year's Day at Deer Park Monastery along with nearly 300 other people.  It was a beautiful way to end 2011 and start 2012.  People came from all over the United States and even from  South America for this holiday retreat.  The sense of community was strong and I made several new friends. 

I did a little mindful knitting during lazy afternoons while at the monastery - started a pair of cabled fingerless mitts which I will show you in my next posting.   So what is mindful knitting, exactly?  Well, mindfulness is simply a quality of attention that is focused, relaxed, alert and also friendly and caring, even affectionate.  One sees and experiences clearly what is happening right now in the present moment.  So when I am knitting mindfully, my knitting has my full, clear, relaxed and alert attention.  I am aware of my breathing and of my whole body and at the same time fully enjoy the feel of the yarn and needles in my hands, the colors and textures of the yarn, the patterns of the knitted piece, even the smell of the yarn.  The joy and pleasure are immense.