Left over Love

Earlier this year I decided to purchase a copy of Mary Jane Mucklestone's 200 Fair Isle Designs. I've been meaning to learn more about fair isle knitting and colours, with the hopes of creating my own patterns some day. I love doing stranded colourwork, since it's so addictive and therefore makes for speedy progress in projects. I'm not confident enough to create a pattern form scratch just yet, but I used the inimitable Kate Davies' Ursula mitten pattern as a basis for these mittens:



Having knit two pairs following Davies' pattern, I knew that the fit would be perfect for the intended recipient of these mittens. I decided to use the left overs from the other pairs of mittens for this pair, both to use up some of my leftovers, but also because I saw it as a golden opportunity (and a challenge) to put colours together in new ways. I ended up just knitting the colours at random, but the end result looks neat anyhow, with the black on the cuff, thumb and fingertips.

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I'm looking forward to venturing into 'uncharted' (gettit?) territory with the aid of Mucklestone's book. My mum gave me some lovely organic wool, probably enough for a jumper/cardigan, in two colours, which I'm hoping I can turn into something wearable and nice. I'm thinking something slightly Icelandic, with a round yoke, perhaps? Time will show - I will keep you updated on that process when I have more time for sketching, swatching and knitting. For the next week I'll be busy finishing my coursework for my last semester at university! It's unbelievable, but so nice to think that I'll be done in about two months time. Cross your fingers and toes for me!