I did it! I knitted in the round on double pointed needles! Now, to document my endeavor with words and of course pictures. This past weekend I decided that I never try knitting on dpns then I'll never learn, and there are a lot of really cute fingerless glove and mitten patterns out there that are calling out to me to knit them. Seriously, I hear them, it's freaky!
Anyway, I set out on a mission to find a nice basic pattern for fingerless gloves that also outlines the creation of the thumb gusset. I finally found one on Ravelry (such a wonderful resource). I got out my size 3 dpns and then looked up the tutorials I saved on casting on and joining in the round. This is the point where I learned that my dpns were much sharper than my other needles. I have the callous to prove it! I joined in the round and off I went on my adventure.
The pattern called for a knit 2 purl 1 ribbing, easy enough. The first major problem I ran into was moving to the next needle. I'm a fairly tight knitter, and I kept pulling my needle out of my stitches trying to do the purls. That was pretty frustrating for the first several rounds. But I got the hang of it and took my time. After about 10 or 20 rounds I decided this wasn't so bad. I did notice though that on my third needle ending the round, my stitches were kind of loose. Something to improve upon, no biggie for a beginner in my opinion.
So I continue the ribbing in the round until my poor pointer finger on my left hand can take no more. Apparently I got in the habit of using my left pointer finger to push the needle back down to slip stitches from the left to right needles. I didn't even realize this until these sharp dpns started making my finger sore. So I'd work as many rounds as I could until my finger got sore and then I'd put it down. I have to save my finger for the massive amounts of computer related work I have to do during the day at work. My job requires intensive use of the computer.
I took several pictures along the way to document the progress. By the time I made it to the thumb gusset, I'm fairly confident in my knitting abilities. Confident enough to download some mitten patterns that I want to try in the future. Though I'm thinking about investing in some not so sharp dpns, plus I need larger sizes.
I read through the directions for the thumb gusset a few times, I like to make sure I have a decent understanding of what I am going to do. I pull out two more markers. I begin the gusset. So far no problem. I get the prep round completed and continue in the ribbing patter around. Not bad, not bad at all. I can do this no problem.
Knit two rounds in pattern. Easy! Time for the second round of increases. Again I make it through with no problems. Two more rounds in pattern. Third round of repeats. Just for kicks I decided to count the number of stitches I have between my markers. I'm supposed to continue in the increase pattern until I have 15 stitches between the markers. Uh oh! I have one to many stitches! This can't be good. I count again, yep same number of stitches. I go back to the pattern, I'm still not sure where I went wrong. I'm supposed to increase two stitches on every increase round. Following that the last round would give me 16 stitches. I figure I'll just continue with what I have. The thought of trying to unknit on dpns is too much.
I get the thumb gusset complete and on the stitch holder. I decided to just increase one on the last round to keep with the 15 stitches in the pattern. I rejoice in my thumb gusset! I show my husband. He just looks at me. I take several more pictures of the completed gusset. Oh NO! I didn't to the Make one stitch properly on a few of the increase rounds! Oh well. I am not about to undo my thumb gusset. Most of the people I know are not knitters any way and they will never know cause I am not going to tell them! :)
I prepare to join the round again and finish up the glove. I'm feeling pretty good about myself at this time. I'm knitting in the round! On dpns! Go me! I get to the point where I'm ready to end the glove and cast off! Then I begin to over think the process of casting off (I'm famous for making easy things hard). I start to make myself believe that casting off in the round is somehow different for casting off straight needles. Silly me. I go ahead with the normal cast off! I tie off the final loop. Uh oh! The edges aren't meeting up. The last needles ending is not flush with the beginning.
My joining stitches were definitely loose. But I don't care! It's my first attempt, and as far as I was concerned it is perfect! Again, I rejoice! I show my husband. Again, he just looks at me. I don't think he is as in tune with my knitting as I am. Weird.
I take more pictures. Time to finish the thumb. I slip the stitches back on my needles. Uh oh! My needles are long! This makes the thumb difficult. But I continue on determined to finish!
I finish! YAY! More rejoicing! Again husband just looks at me! It's time for the happy dance! I declare victory and begin the happy dance, and take more pictures of the glove!
Final inspection. The work is fairly sloppy and does look like a first attempt. The stitches are tight, but the glove does fit on my hand! See.....
I made notes of where I went wrong and what I wanted to differently on the next one. I'll definitely make two more for practice. This first will probably not get worn outside much. There is a small, not real evident hole where the thumb is supposed to join the glove to close it off and make it round. This is okay though. I'm satisfied. I'm definitely going to use a larger size on the next set. Like I said I knit tight, so a larger size would make it easier I think.
That about sums up my adventure. I'm very happy with the outcome. I learned alot. And I am sure my next one will be better than the first. Eventually I plan on making a set of mittens.
Until next time!
~~Happy Knitting~~
and another fingerless glove in a pink yarn. I plan on making a mate for the pink fingerless glove.
I also started making a pink hat on dpns with the idea of it wearing it with the gloves. However, I goobered the pattern and I now have a pink baby hat! I'll save it for my first little girl whenever I have her.
I visited my parents and grandparents this weekend. My grandfather is not doing so well right now, so I went down to visit and hang out. Saturday I spent the morning over at my grandparents with my mom, and then my mom and I went to Hobby Lobby for some yarn shopping. I don't think I have ever visited my family and not come home with new yarn for my stash.
