What started as a simple desire to provide a little warmth and softness for a neighbor who’d been ill for quite some time blossomed into a pair of somewhat stripey mittens with a matching hat to boot.
I hadn’t seen Gloria for a couple of months. I’d heard she was getting treated for some sort of cancer but that’s all I knew. What a great surprise to see her in early December! She was out walking around the neighborhood – a bit paler and thinner, but out and about nonetheless. I noticed she was wearing mittens and decided at that point to make her another pair.
We chatted for a bit about what she’d been going through for the past few months, when she revealed that the treatment made her hair fall out. “It’s just hair,” she said. “It’ll grow back.” In the meantime, I wanted to make something soft and warm for her head too.
Details
Both hat and gloves were made from Jaeger Chamonix, a lovely discontinued cabled yarn made with wool and angora. I have a couple of colors in stash that I was saving for something special at some unspecified future date. No time like now, eh? The accent yarn you might recognize as the leftovers from Jack’s hoodie: Fearless Fibers wool and mohair blend.
I originally intended to do a hemmed picot edge but I like the casual air of the rolled brim and grosgrain ribbon through eyelet instead. The variegated band above the eyelet is a simple pattern of stockinette, then 3 rows of knit and purl stitches. The crown decrease features the same simple knit, purl texture.
The somewhat stripey mittens were based on Ann Budd’s “The Knitters Handy Book of Patterns.” Nothing fancy. Just a little mix of 1-2-3 rows of striping after the ribbing at the wrist, then reverse the yarns after knitting the palm. Finish the top with every other row decrease until 8 stitches remain. Draw yarn through and anchor, then you’ve got a finished mitten.
Epilogue
I actually finished and delivered the mittens on Christmas Day. Gloria expressed gratitude and surprise that I even had the strength to go shopping for the mittens. Imagine her face when I revealed that I’d knit them. She was so shocked that she had no time to think when I asked if she’d like a matching hat. What could she say but, “Yeah, sure!”
Three days later, hat was born. It also became the last finished object for 2007. Boy, I can’t wait to see what fabulousness 2008 has in store. It could get juicy!
You are such a sweetheart to make this lovely hat for her. Mittens look so cozy too. xoxo
I am just catching up with blog reading after the busy holidays and I am in love with your hat! Subtle but elegant, lovely color blending and the ribbon adds just that nice touch. Just perfect!
Love the mittens, but the hat is very intersting! I love the edge!
truly, a special special gift! so thoughtful….and beautiful.
look forward to seeing what you share with us in 2008!
happy new year!
Gloria must be looking and feeling (ahem) glorious these days. The eyelet and ribbon rows are a pretty, feminine touch.
Happy 2008 to you!
What a thoughtful gift. Everytime she wears them, she will be warmed two ways, once by the yarn and once by the thoughtfulness.
Chamonix is luscious, isn’t it. Perfect use for it. Somewhere I have a couple of balls of a dusty rose that didn’t work as trim for a project. I should dig them out and make a warm, soft hat. Thanks for reminding me of them.
http://www.karenjoseattle.com
Good for you for knitting the mittens and the hat. I’m sure Gloria was very touched by your thoughtfulness.
Gorgeous set! I love the colors & how the k/p texture mirrors the woven ribbon hatband. The new year is lookin’ good for knittin’! 🙂
There you go, opening up that HUGE heart of yours again!!!
They’re lovely Karen, and I’m sure they will be much loved.
What a beautiful thoughtful gift! I think it truly expresses the generous person you are.
What a lovely set – such a thoughtful gift! Don’t you love how our hands & string can turn into bits warmth & care for family & friends? 🙂
How pretty. What a special gift. the hat is just lovely