Forgotten Fingerless Fun….

All things books, All things craft

So I’m rummaging round what I thought was a ‘discarded’ (as in put to one side to be looked at another time) bag of odd balls set aside for a child’s stripy jumper and right at the bottom. .. inside another bag….found a pile of fingerless mitts that needed finishing.

Several pairs of fingerless mitts
Left unfinished and forgotten for a maybe a couple of years.
I knew they were somewhere….just couldn’t remember where 😊

I’ve been knitting these on and off for quite a while now – they’re always in demand at the charity – so when I’m low in energy they’re an alternative ‘easy knit’ for those can’t be bothered with stitches measurements and shaping times

Now I don’t know if you believe in coincidences or not but that same day looking through photo folders these popped up in amongst my 2012 finishes. I used to find that with there being no instantly visible ‘thumb hole’ at times people would look at them not knowing how they were worn – easy to explain if you’re giving in person but it was fun sometimes to make a little ‘display hand’ like this


Black 8ply and using – Rhonda Jean’s pattern – one I’ve often used since discovering it quite a while ago (2008) – these were destined to be worn by a young girl waiting for the school bus at 8am on cold wintery days.  Losing things was her speciality so it wasn’t long before there was a request for another pair!

And these in a pinky grey mix of colours in Patons Jet knitted sideways – adapted  from a pattern I found on Ravelry – made especially for an elderly friend who suffered with cold hands indoors as well as out. Very simple and easy to do – I rather like the garter stitch detail on the side after they have been sewn together
Here’s my ‘rewritten’ pattern

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Discovered Found the rest of the brown wool in another bag so have decided to make a few more pairs – easy on my brain…..means I can read at the same time 😊.


The book on the table is a fun read – The Diary of a Nobody by George Grossmith. Even though it was published back in 1892 the short humorous sometimes sad/unfortunate day to day diary entries are still recognisable as ones possibly written in somebody’s today. I wonder if JayCee had this in mind when she named her blog

Not many books read in February:-

*Mothering Sunday by Graham Swift.
Very short, think novella. Mostly takes place over one day. Very sensual….with what might been seen by some as erotic and sexual undertones. Very sad – thought provoking in places. Surprise ending

*Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear
Basically about someone who starts life in service then makes good of their life. First book in a series – has an ‘interesting’ main character who has an ‘interesting’ life. At times her ‘escapades’ reminded me of similar series – think Jackie French’s Miss Lily series and Kerry Greenwood’s Miss Fisher series …Enjoyable but I’m not sure I’ll look for others.

*A Single Thread by Tracy Chevalier
About a single woman (not by choice – termed surplus women) finding her feet after WW1 – leaving home, becoming an ‘independent’ woman, becoming involved with a group of ‘broderers’ ’ in the local cathedral also befriending a bell ringer. With one character taken from real life there was much to learn about the project to supply Winchester Cathedral with embroidered kneelers. as well as the hows wheres and whys of bell ringing woven into the story. This I definitely enjoyed – but then I’ve always enjoyed Chevalier’s historical fiction (based on real life persons/events).

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And as usual on the first Wednesday of the month if you’d like to find out a little more of what people have been up to – you really must visit…..  Unraveled Wednesday
hosted by Kat…….you’ll find it here at As Kat Knits 
Lots of knitting and reading to see there.


23 thoughts on “Forgotten Fingerless Fun….”

  1. I also enjoyed the Chevalier book. A dear friend was part of an army of women who did the cushions for her entire church. It was a several year project, ably organized and well appreciated(at least by women!)

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    1. All the kneelers in churches I’ve been to have been plain and drab (hard working) – wouldn’t it be wonderful to see some brightly coloured ones….even if they’re only laid out for special occasions

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    2. Yes EC I can read and knit – and watch TV at the same time:)
      It all depends on what I’m knitting – easy row after row of stocking stitch with just a quick glance down at the end of the row. Have to have the book ‘propped up’ in front of me though – that’s one thing I can’t do…..hold the book and knit at the same time 🙂

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      1. Yeah – we were going to ask about the book holder and page turner – is it like being a concert pianist (and having someone to do it for you)?

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      2. I used to have a wonderful recipe book holder that dealt with anything I put in it and sat on the wide arm of my chair, or on the nearby table.

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  3. I remember mittens when young….such a comfort when ewaiting for the bus in winter.
    I love the Diary of a Nobody…a regular re read…and i enjoyed the Swift too. I must try Chevalier…but these days everything has to be on Kindle as books are no longer being shipped here from the U.K.

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    1. I think the ones I had were fully enclosed which was a nuisance if you wanted to use your fingers – top of the mitt in mouth and pulled off then put back on again asap. With a long ‘string’ down through the sleeves so they didn’t get lost either.
      I meant to ask how you were the other day also if Leo is still coping.

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    1. They can come in handy at times – sometimes its awkward to do things in gloves so these are great. I’ve done them with a little stub of a finger before but these simple easy ones are all the rage.

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  5. I might have to make a few of these for winter charity as well
    I cannot read and knit, so I listen to my audiobooks
    Currently working on baby clothes as we have had a request for them

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    1. I saw those lovely crochet clothes you’ve been making Angela – they will be welcomed with open arms. These will go on the end of arms and be just as welcome I think 😊

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    1. I’ve seen those somewhere Mr T – they are probably a bit more complicated to make than these….I’m all for easy simple style at the moment

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    1. What a sight they’d be to see …..if they’re out in use or even if they’re on display somewhere in the cathedral. I wouldn’t mind going myself 😊

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    1. Very practical for posties as well Annie. Years ago when bread and milk were delivered the milkman and baker used to wear them- meant they could count out the change ( mostly coins in thodays)

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  9. Hi Cathy…it’s many, many years since I’ve done any knitting (and I was never that brilliant at it). . I would now have to learn all over again…and I know that won’t be happening. It’s many, many years, also, since I’ve worn mittens…I did have a couple of pairs when I was a little girl…but much water has flowed under the many bridges since those days. 🙂 It doesn’t get cold enough for them up this way…or at least, I don’t feel the cold too much.

    Take good care. 🙂

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