Sometimes, it sucks when work usurps all your energy and leaves you way too brain dead to work on the more interesting things in life, like, your knitting. Such was the case this week. But let’s get on with the progress of my imitation biker jacket.

It’s still missing a pair of epaulets, the remaining sleeves (I’ve decided to go full length - only because I realized that I do have enough yarn), and the two front borders. Knitting without a pattern is liberating, but scary all at once. I based the measurements off one of my cropped cardigans, knit the pockets, and then decided that I did not want a cropped jacket. As a result, the pockets now sit right below my breasts, and there is no way I am ripping out all the sewing again. I am hoping, that with the magic of blocking (Shh. Don’t convince me otherwise), I can somewhat increase the distance between the pocket and my under boob a little. Other than the pocket mishap, things have been pretty smooth-sailing. Top down knitting is the bomb! No more worrying whether or not you can fit all your sleeve stitches into that armhole. 

I’m playing with two ideas for a front band right now. Currently, I have plans to sew hidden snaps with decorative buttons on the front band, and reinforce the band with a ribbon facing to minimize wear-n-tear. But after studying Grumperina’s zipper installation tutorial, my absolutely-no-zipper resolution is wavering. I kept thinking to myself: “Hey, how hard can it be, right?” 

We’ll sit on this for a few days while the rest of the sleeves are completed. Incidentally, I just realized that the color-combo seems very child-like. It must be my inner Peter-Pan.

In the mean time, two pairs of socks have been completed. 

Do not be fooled by the aesthetics of this image. This pair of Koigu Aquaphobia Socks, made for Bobby G (he who feeds my Koigu fetish), was made without modifications to fit his ultra-wide feet. We must have taken over 20 photos to find the right one. He has requested that I be kind while describing his feet, so with much restraint on my part, let’s just say that his feet make him a good swimmer. (How am I doing with the kindness so far?)

Continuing with the blue-green kick that I’ve been on for a while, I also finished a pair of knee highs with Online Supersocke Yarn that I purchased in StitchDC last year. Nothing spectacular, just simple stockinette on Sz 0 and 1 needles. 

(I like this shot better. Makes me legs look leaner)

Alright, here’s the thing. I’ve only heard back from a few of you who are interested in the mini-KAL. The motivation for having this KAL initially was to help out knitters who love this glove as well but are scared of the Japanese. I’ve decided that instead of having a KAL, I’d just write out my interpretation of the pattern in English for everyone to see. That way, those of you who are interested in knitting one up - be it now or later - can have something to refer to. The pattern copyrights belong 100% to the original authors, and what I am merely doing here is just giving you an interpretation of what I did. With that said, hopefully I am not stepping on anyone’s toes.Pattern: Herringbone Gloves by Tata&Tatao
Suggested Yarn: Rowanspun 4-ply (brown& beige), but I used Regia 4-ply (brown and cream)
Suggested Gauge: 40 sts + 44 rows = 10 cm (mine was 10.5 sts x 10 sts to 1″, using 2.50mm Addi Sz 1 40″ circular needles in magic loop)
Shortcut method: use babelfish to translate most of the pattern by typing in the url. The translated instructions may or may not make sense to you at this point, so here’s where I come in.
My interpretation: Instructions for the right glove is given. Basically you start knitting in the round from the wrist up, then increase for the thumb. After that, you’ll knit the thumb, the little finger, the ring, middle and index finger, respectively. The last 6 charts at the end of the instructions represent the thumb pattern and its decreases (top two), the rest of the fingers and their decreases(middle two), and the little finger and its decreases (bottom two). Work k2tog and ssk accordingly for left or right slanting decreases.
To start, CO 64 sts and knit 2 rnds in brown. From rnd 3 to rnd 18, follow Pattern Stitch A. Starting from rnd 19, you will begin increasing between St 41 and St 42. The increasing instructions are given in the chart below Pattern Stitch A, where the black boxes represent the increases on the palm side (salt and pepper). On the hand side (herringbone bone), just keep repeating Pattern Stitch A. You will increase 24 sts over the next 36 rows on the palm side. It is helpful to place a stitch marker before St 41, and another stitch marker before St 42 to keep track of your stitches.
After the increases are completed, you will be knitting the thumb. Place all sts EXCEPT Sts 33-57 (24 sts total) on scrap yarn. The 24 sts that you have left on your needle is the thumb. On the first round of thumb, you will CO 4 additional sts after the 24 sts (I used backward loop), giving you a total of 28 sts for thumb. Follow the thumb pattern for 16 rnds and switch to the decreasing pattern for thumb. At the end, you will end up with 10 sts. Kitchener st these by placing 5 on one needle, and the other 5 on the other needle. This completes your thumb.
Place the remaining sts back on needles and work Pattern Stitch B for 8 rounds. Now you will be knitting the little finger.
The first 8 st on the HAND side and the last 8 sts on the PALM side will be used to knit the little finger. Place all other sts on scrap yarn. Now you will follow the pattern for the little finger (bottom two). Knit the first 8 sts according to pattern, THEN CO 4 additional sts, then follow the pattern again for the last 8 sts. There is an error in the diagram here. The 4 additonal sts that you have to CO was wrongly placed at the end of the pattern. Instead, it should be placed between the first 8 and the last 8 sts. The 4 CO sts lies between the little finger and ring finger. Work 20 rnds from the little finger pattern, then continue on Rnd 21 for the decreases. You will have 10 sts remaining. Kitchener these sts as you have done with the thumb.
Place remaining sts back on needle. Follow Pattern Stitch C for 4 rounds. Now you will be knitting the rest of the fingers, starting from the ring finger, then the middle, and finally the index finger. The method for knitting all three fingers are the same. Each finger will have 24 sts total - 8 from hand side, 4 additional CO, 8 from palm side, and 4 sts which are picked up from the previous finger’s additonal CO sts. I’ve included a picture to show you what the 4 picked up sts and the 4 additional CO sts look like. Instead of having flat fingers, you actually knit 4 sides. Follow the Finger pattern for the 3 fingers and kitchener the 10 sts as described previously. Weave in loose ends and call it a day.
That sums up the right hand glove. (And that is my index finger - not the middle one). For the left glove - which I haven’t started, basically you copy and save the pattern diagrams in Photoshop, then click on “Image“, then “Rotate Image” and click on the “Flip Image Horizontal“. That should give you a mirror image of the diagram and so you’ll have both L and R hand charts.
Phew.