Knitting from the Past

Earlier this year Bruce asked for a pair of fingerless gloves – the type that keeps your hands warm but leaves the fingers free for using the iPhone and other techie types of things.  In looking for patterns on Ravelry, I ran across what were called ‘Trigger Gloves” from a booklet Knit for Defense published by Red Heart during World War II.

These were exactly what I was looking for!  I grabbed the yarn Bruce selected when were in Asheville over the holidays and began working.

The pattern was very straightforward with nothing fancy – just plain serviceable gloves.  I did a bit of internet research and found that all of the Knit for Defense items were designed to be very basic so patterns could be easily memorized and reproduced by folks knitting for the troops.  In fact, the only changes I made were by request – the cuff is an inch longer and the fingers each a round or two more than recommended  to give just a bit more warmth.

Bruce was very pleased by the finished product though I don’t think they would have passed muster for regulation wear!

In fact, I was so pleased with the pattern, I’ve since made a pair for myself!  The only change I made was to knit the fingers straight rather than in ribbing to cut down on a bit of the bulk.

Lesson learned, if the pattern works it doesn’t matter the time period when it was developed.

In other news, I’ve currently got my Holden Shawlette blocking.  The Northside Knitting Guild did it as a knit along and again, I’m pleased with how it came out.  I used a skein of hand dyed yarn I bought in Wales with all sorts of spring colors.

The photo really doesn’t do it justice – maybe some outdoor shots will bring the colors out.