Last weekend, Mom and I made the joyful trek up to Yarnover.
We shopped.
We took a Fearless Two Color Mittens Class from Mary Scott Huff. Mary started out the class with a simple exercise in stranded color work for those who needed a review or for those (like me) who had never tried it at all. The “fearless” aspect of this class was definitely for me. I took this class so I could conquer my personal “Dr. Strangelove” in knitting (i.e., “How I learned to stop worrying love the [fill in knitting-related fear]”).
Later on, Mary passed out her Nordica pattern for us to try. Here was my first try:
I tried again with firmer tension and smaller needles and got this:
We took a break at lunch to wolf down some food and chat with friends from my local knitting group. Everyone talked about their morning classes and the classes they were planning to take in the afternoon. I found myself wishing I could undergo a few rounds of cellular mitosis right then and there so that I could take everyone else’s classes as well as my own.
In the afternoon, Mom and I also took a Spinning and Plying Cabled Yarns class with Francine Ruiter. My first-time results were semi-successful.
I left Yarnover feeling jazzed about the new techniques I’d learned, particularly the Norwegian stranded color work.
I think my Ravelry favorites are about to be flooded with color work projects.
All She Wants To Do Is Knit 
I just started trying the Fair Isle knitting. I also had issues with carrying the floats. After studying some videos and all I think I finally have it but I take time when dealing with the float. I had holes when I would carry but on one video she said that she only prefers to carry every four stitches. It is working really good and I will post a picture when I am done.
Congrats for giving it a go
That looks fantastic for a first-time stranded project!
Your mittie looks great! You must be a fast knitter- it’d take me ages to get that far along.
Your spinning looks great! Love those bright colors- any plans for it?
I have found making sure the left side is spread out while you knit it helps create good floats.
Stranded colourwork mittens are one of my most favourite things to knit. They are so addicting and, with practice, not too difficult. Your practice mittens look great!
Wow, that looks amazing for a first attempt! I’m going on a fairisle course in June. Really looking forward to having a go 🙂
lovely ! pattern giveaway on my blog … nestajackson.blogspot.com
[…] the day I cast them on. It all began at Yarnover 2014, where I was taking Fearless Two-Color Mittens with Mary Scott Huff. I went to class feeling completely clueless and […]
Hurrah for overcoming Fear Of Colorwork! Very impressive first project, too. Nice work!