Monday, September 7, 2015

Moorland Mitts release


Today I am beyond excited to share with you my Moorland Mitts pattern. It is now officially available in my Ravelry Store. Yay!

This pattern has been a long time coming. I first designed these mitts one year ago. I knew all along that I wanted to publish the pattern, but one thing or another got in the way. 


The original design was for fingerless mitts but I knew deep down they wanted to be mittens. I had never knit a pair of mittens before so I started researching techniques and swatching. Late last Fall I came up with a seamed version of the mittens. While I was excited at the time, I knew that really they needed to be seamless. I also wasn't too excited about the yarn I was using, which was just some unspectacular yarn I had picked up in a craft store here. 

I wanted this pattern to reflect my newfound love of natural yarns and my journey of discovering that not all yarn is created equal. I also wanted it to be the best it possibly could be and to reflect a higher craftsmanship than the original prototype. 

And if I'm honest, I was also a bit scared. It's such a risk to share your work and every time I share a design, every time I knit something to sell or give away, I am afraid that it will be judged harshly and found wanting. I'm scared that the recipient, or (in this case) the knitter won't love it as much as I do. 



Finally, late this past Spring I decided that enough was enough. These are risks we have to take in order to put our work out there. I ordered some beautiful, high quality yarn, started swatching and knit up a new, seamless version of the mittens. 

Over the past few months, my mittens have been in the testing phase. I have learned so much about writing patterns from my incredible test knitters through this process and I am very indebted to their kindness and patience with my unpolished pattern. 



So today, I share with you the finished product- the result of one full year of knitting and learning and working. I hope you'll love them. The finished pattern is both for the full mittens and fingerless mitts versions of the design. Inspired by the novels of the Brontë sisters, and knit with 100% British wool, they are perfect for a winter's walk out on the Moors, or simply a trip down the street to a favorite café. 

And as usual, to celebrate that the pattern is (finally) released, I want to give one copy away! Simply comment here (or over on Instagram) letting me know your favorite thing about Fall to be entered to win. I will select the winner at random towards the end of the week.
 

6 comments:

  1. Lovely mitts! I love fall colors.

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  2. You did a lovely job! Simple, but so beautiful. I love the smell of fall, the chilly air, but still warm sunrays.

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  3. Beautiful pattern! I know what you mean regarding the trepidation of your work and the reaction of others. I don't design patterns but I knit gifts on a regular basis & often times feel the same way. What I love about fall is taking a walk on a crisp fall morning sun just coming up, just enough leaves on the ground to have a crunch under my feet but still enough leaves on the trees to see the beauty in the fall colors.

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  4. Beautiful pattern! I know what you mean regarding the trepidation of your work and the reaction of others. I don't design patterns but I knit gifts on a regular basis & often times feel the same way. What I love about fall is taking a walk on a crisp fall morning sun just coming up, just enough leaves on the ground to have a crunch under my feet but still enough leaves on the trees to see the beauty in the fall colors.

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  5. Beautiful mittens, Ruthie! My favourite things about autumn must be the turning of the leaves, and stepping out to breath in the fresh, crisp air of cooler mornings (and subsequently putting on a pair of warm mittens to ward off the chill!) I also love the increased focus on hot beverages in this season, but then I'm always up for a cuppa!
    Many congratulations to you on releasing such a lovely pattern!
    Best wishes from Elise xx

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  6. Hi Ruth, this is the third time I try to let you a comment here, I hope that this time it will work. And I hope I'll not be ridiculous publishing three comments! Congratulations for your release and for everything you are doing and sharing. These mitts are the best thing to knit in this moment, especially for those who had a very hot summer and slowed down the rythme - I'm not the one :). I love fall because of it's colours - in the skies, in the trees and in the fields. I love good, real fruits and vegetables. I adore waking up early in the morning and enjoying a good cup of tea in this misty light. I love walking in the parks and in the forrests looking at the falling leaves with their rich mutted colors. I love seeing the new nature rythme, preparing for the winter, like an old, beautiful and charming lady. As I am a knitter, I love this time when I can wear handmade cardigans and shawls with light dresses, without having to carry coats and heavy boots, celebrating handwork, meditation and the joy of life. Kindest regards from France. Alina

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