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Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Gloves For Me

We've had a crazy winter.  There have been weeks here and there of bitter cold separated by weeks of mild weather in the 60s.  I started these gloves in a cold snap, then it got nice so I stopped working on them.  This has happened a couple of times.  Finally, it got so cold, I finished them up.

I wanted fingerless gloves that were convertible to mittens, but I didn't want the whole mitten flap on the back of my hand (you know the ones ...), because I'd never be able to get my hand in my pocket or purse with that huge mitten top flopping around.

If you're thinking "turtlenecks for your hands" then we're thinking the same thing.  And the most *teehee* bit of the glove for me is the tiny thumb turtleneck.

Just so you know, about 50% of the people I've showed these to think they are hideous and awful.

Especially the thumb turtleneck bit.  

Which makes me love it even more.

These are my first gloves with a thumb gusset.  I created the gusset with matching increases on both sides of the glove, so the gloves are interchangeable (both-handable?).

Next time I will increase on the gusset less and cast on more stitches between the thumb and hand to relieve stress on the connection points.

When it's super cold out, I fold the turtleneck up and stuff my hands in my pockets and they stay toasty warm.  When I need to use my hands, it's quick and easy for me to fold down the necks and use my phone or get something out of my purse.  I love them!
71 Comments leave a comment


Seanna Lea said ...
They look perfectly functional to me, and it is more important that they work well than that they please people's arbitrary ideas of gloveness. Of course, I wouldn't wear them, but that is because it is cold enough of the time that I am still wearing gloves and wished I had gotten around to my mittens to wear over my gloves.
3/15/2011 8:57 AM

futuregirl replied ...
Seanna Lea ... We're pretty lucky that it doesn't get that cold here. We do have our surprise cold snaps, though, so the fold-downs get used a little at least.
3/16/2011 1:12 AM

Kate said ...
What a great idea, Alice! I'm really impressed. I have a pair of glittens, but the bit flapping about on the back of my hand is so annoying. What a cool solution! :)
3/15/2011 9:02 AM

futuregirl replied ...
Kate ... Thanks! "Glittens" took me a second to figure out, haha! Have you seen the glingers on regretsy.com? So hilairous (spoiler alert: they are just fingers. ha!)
3/16/2011 1:13 AM

kingshearte said ...
I have to admit that they're a touch funny-looking when extended, and I don't think the unsealed end would work for me, but I'm very happy that you've found a solution that works for you. That's the important thing. And they look great folded down.
3/15/2011 9:05 AM

futuregirl replied ...
kingshearte ... 98% of the time, they are folded down. The only time they get extended are when we're on late night walks across town and I'm hiding my hands in my pockets anyway. Most people don't see the "stumpy horror" haha!
3/16/2011 1:16 AM

~ish~ said ...
Hahahaha! Alice those are hilarious! I love them to bits and would definitely be showing them off ever chance I got!! Definitely ingenious.
3/15/2011 9:22 AM

Oh, how cool are they! I particularly like the look of them rolled back (including the thumb!) but appreciate the practicality of them un-rolled. Genius. C.
3/15/2011 9:28 AM

Terri said ...
I think it's a great idea! Except knowing me, I would be too lazy to even fold them up & down. :)
3/15/2011 9:33 AM

futuregirl replied ...
Terri ... Well, no harm since you could just leave them in the cuter, folded position. :)
3/16/2011 1:27 AM

Mo said ...
Hey, that's a great idea! I have some of those fold-back mitten-flap gloves, and they are comfy but wind up being pretty bulky when I have the mitten part buttoned back, which is in fact most of the time.
3/15/2011 9:45 AM

Sal said ...
Oh, I love them, too! :)
I think they're stylish and cool.
3/15/2011 10:01 AM

futuregirl replied ...
Sal ... Thanks! :)
3/16/2011 1:26 AM

victoria said ...
:) fold back mittens are really annoying and bulky.. but your gloves are so nice - especially the rolled back thumb! super cute!
3/15/2011 10:17 AM

futuregirl replied ...
victoria ... Thanks for the sweet comment!
3/16/2011 1:28 AM

Oh my goodness! I think I NEED some of these. What are the chances you'll be posting some basic instructions so a newbie knitter can be a copy-cat?
3/15/2011 10:17 AM

futuregirl replied ...
Jennifer Lavender ... I haven't written a knitting pattern yet. The chances of me doing it *soon* are pretty low. Maybe next Fall, ha! If you find another mitten/glove pattern you like, just end the fingertips with 2x2 ribbing (start at the last knuckle of your thumb and the 2nd knuckles of your fingers ... and go until they are covered). Cake.
3/16/2011 1:34 AM

Tamra said ...
Wow! These are so cute (and practical)!
3/15/2011 10:31 AM

angela said ...
Turtlenecks for your hands? Seriously? I love them! And how, in the name of yarn, did you get so good at knitting so fast?!
3/15/2011 11:18 AM

futuregirl replied ...
angela ... I'm craftmagical.
3/16/2011 1:38 AM

Mel said ...
BWA! They are FABULOUS! I won't lie, at first I thought WTF, but then when I realised the jig to them, I feel in love :D
3/15/2011 12:11 PM

futuregirl replied ...
Mel ... Your comment made me literally laugh out loud. :) Thanks!
3/16/2011 1:39 AM

Vivi said ...
This. is. BRILLIANT!!!
3/15/2011 1:37 PM

futuregirl replied ...
Vivi ... Aw, thanks, sweetie!
3/16/2011 1:41 AM

Shireen said ...
I love how creative your solution is. Functional AND good looking hand/warmer/mitten/glove/doohickies.

3/15/2011 3:25 PM

futuregirl replied ...
Shireen ... Thanks! You forgot whatchamacallits. ;)
3/20/2011 11:07 PM

Carmen said ...
Such a great idea! I've always hated the hand-flap thingie on the backs of my hands, so I've never worn them. Yours look awesome!
3/15/2011 4:25 PM

Kuky said ...
I've never heard of fingerless gloves that could convert to mittens. Very very smart. And yours are AWESOME! Not hideous and awful at all. I like how they look folded down and I absolutely adore them unfolded, the idea of turtlenecks for your fingers and thumb.
3/15/2011 5:13 PM

futuregirl replied ...
Kuky ... I'm not surprised that we are on the same page with this idea. :)
3/16/2011 1:43 AM

What a great convertible crochet idea!
3/15/2011 5:26 PM

Amy said ...
I love them! I made a pair of crocheted mittens very much like that a couple years ago. I just took a mitten pattern and converted the top to a "turtleneck" like you did but I made full thumbs. This was before I texted much though :/
3/15/2011 8:29 PM

futuregirl replied ...
Amy ... Great minds think alike! And, yes, def need the thumbs for texting. :)
3/16/2011 1:48 AM

nancymoo said ...
I'm with Angela - the turtleneckmittengloves are fabulous and your knitting skills have multiplied exponentially in such a short time! Its hard to believe but just stellar!! You need a "knitting badass" nametag now!! :)
3/16/2011 4:05 AM

futuregirl replied ...
nancymoo ... Haha! Another name tag or a girl scout type sash with achievement badges. I'd go for either one. :)
3/20/2011 8:57 PM

Jessie said ...
I'll have to admit too that they're rather odd-looking in mitten-mode, gorgeous in handwarmer-mode, and that overall I'd have to term them super-awesome-clever.
3/16/2011 7:31 AM

futuregirl replied ...
Jessie ... Thanks!
3/20/2011 9:27 PM

Kate said ...
I love these. I wish I knew how to knit so I could make them. I figure out how to crochet them. BTW, I LOVE your blog.
3/16/2011 8:15 AM

futuregirl replied ...
Kate ... Thanks for the sweet comment and the blog love!
3/20/2011 9:27 PM

Vicki K said ...
These are rather brilliant! I like the thumb gusset particularly - is it too big fitwise? The connection between the thumb and the hand seems to be the downfall of many a glove/mitten - both handmade and store bought. I'm not sure exactly how to secure that connection better.
3/16/2011 8:35 AM

futuregirl replied ...
Vicki K ... The gloves fit perfectly. I did some calculations before hand to know how many stitches around my thumb is, then I increased so that I'd have just the right number of stitches for my thumb tube (I only increased for half of the way up to the thumb crook). I cast on two stitches between the thumb and hand (in the crook). Next time, I'll cast on more (probably 4) and increase two-less stitches for the gusset to relieve pulling on the stress points (where the two cast on crook stitches meet the glove-body stitches).
3/20/2011 9:33 PM

Suzie said ...
Wow, what an inventive solution to the problem of those big flaps. I love that the ribbing gives nice conformation to the fingers while also folding back without a lot of bulk. I think these would be great for driving, when your fingers don't want to touch that cold steering wheel but you may still need to pull them out to play/change music.
3/16/2011 10:58 AM

futuregirl replied ...
Suzie ... Definitely! I appreciate them when taking the granny cart to the grocery store when I have to grab the cold metal handles. :)
3/20/2011 9:35 PM

Rikke said ...
Waru I thanks for the inspiration. They look warm and cozy and nice!
3/16/2011 2:28 PM

Donna said ...
I just wanted to say that I love these!
3/16/2011 2:45 PM

Laurinda said ...
I'm knitting something similar out of sock yarn! Your gusset increases are so precise, I'm a little intimidated. I love perfect symmetry!
3/16/2011 4:26 PM

futuregirl replied ...
Laurinda ... I just stuck a couple stitch markers and increased on the inside of them to add stitches for the thumb. Cake! :)
3/20/2011 9:39 PM

Cara said ...
Someone beat me to it: This. is. Brilliant.
Personally, I think they look fine. (And yeah, that little thurtle neck part? oh, that is wonderful.) But I'm not one for playing by anyone's fashion rules except my own. But honestly? I have a friend that's all about fashion who usually likes things that I think are really ugly, and to me this looks like somthing she would ooh & ahh over, even though I don't really think they're ugly. I think I'm trying to say that to me they look sort of trendy, which could account for the split response to them. If they're ugly, it's in a cute way, like a Pug. But that could just be the color. ;)
Serious brilliance though. Surious. :)
3/16/2011 6:43 PM

futuregirl replied ...
Cara ... I love you for "thurtle neck".
3/20/2011 9:40 PM

urban craft said ...
ok, I know these are impossible for me to make. By chance do you have any plans in the future to sell any? I'm sure I wouldn't be the only one buying.
3/16/2011 10:23 PM

futuregirl replied ...
urban craft ... I wish! But sadly, making things by hand to sell is a losing proposition. (I have been known to make gifts for friends ...)
3/20/2011 9:42 PM

Kimmifer said ...
I think my favourite part is the tiny thumb turtleneck. Partly because the phrase brings on a mental image on tiny turtles wearing turtle necks.
Also, they seem pretty perfect for texting and what-not.
3/17/2011 2:42 PM

Dorota said ...
Hi,Your creations are beautiful. I too am in love with crochet. I think it is unbelievable that you can take a ball of string, or yarn and make anything from a garment to wear, or jewelry, or a rug or blanket for your home. It’s limitless. So cool!I have started my own blog recently,where I am trying to mix the pictures of my creations with fashion pictures.
I would be delighted if you could visit me.
3/18/2011 6:39 AM

futuregirl replied ...
Dorota ... Thank you for the sweet comment. :) I looked at your blog. It's cute, but you should show more of your own work. I like seeing what people make. :)
3/20/2011 8:35 PM

Sassi said ...
I made something similar but ran a crocheted cord around a bit down from the top and added some buttons to the ends. When I needed "mittens", I pulled the strings and closed the ends. Otherwise, the string and buttons were there for decoration.
3/19/2011 12:19 PM

futuregirl replied ...
Sassi ... When I first thought about just ribbing from the knuckles up, I thought I would put in a drawstring, too. But it doesn't get very cold here, so just folding the gloves up and sticking them in my pockets does the trick. :) Your version sounds super cute!
3/20/2011 9:44 PM

Anna said ...
The unflapped looks a little strange... but if it keeps you warm, who cares.

As for the turtleneck flipped down: I think it's cute. I love the little thumb turtleneck.

And since you are the one wearing it, doesn't matter what others think. Love it and wear it. :)
3/19/2011 8:03 PM

futuregirl replied ...
Anna ... Exactly! Thanks. :)
3/20/2011 9:46 PM

Anna said ...
Oh, and my 5 year old just said "I want you to make me some of those hand things." She thinks they're cute.
3/19/2011 8:04 PM

futuregirl replied ...
Anna ... Gah! How adorable. :)
3/20/2011 9:46 PM

Susan said ...
These are fantastic! I can't imagine anyone wouldn't like them. Weirdos.
3/22/2011 2:50 PM

futuregirl replied ...
Susan ... Haha! Thanks!
3/28/2011 2:32 AM

abby jenkins said ...
I can relate to the stop and start of springtime thinking...we just got more snow this morning after a 70 degree day less than a week ago. Thumb turtleneck up today for sure! Totally cute!
3/24/2011 12:51 PM

futuregirl replied ...
abby jenkins ... Thanks! Glad I got to use them a little before it warms up here.
3/28/2011 2:33 AM

Tamara said ...
Have to get these! They look great.
3/24/2011 3:16 PM

futuregirl replied ...
Tamara ... Thanks!
3/28/2011 2:33 AM

val said ...
terrific idea....I like the turtleneck idea!
3/30/2011 11:56 AM

rachel said ...
How can anyone call these awful?!! They're AWESOME!!! A genius creative creation. It almost makes me want to learn to knit!
4/7/2011 7:32 PM

futuregirl replied ...
rachel ... Holy crow! :) Thanks for the huge vote of confidence.
4/13/2011 11:58 PM

Danica said ...
This is genius! I've been making fingerless gloves for a while but haven't solved the "sometimes your fingers get cold" problem. I love the hand turtleneck!
4/14/2011 2:40 PM

tori said ...
How have I never heard of regretsy before?! Thanks for the heads up on that. Also, I have to agree that they're pretty goofy looking unfolded, but then again so are turtlenecks. Folded down, they look amazing.
4/20/2011 1:01 AM
 
Zoe said ...
These are fantastic! I'd love some with a few small buttons sewn at the ends to create a seal from the cold, buttons small enough not to be a bother when folded up. Oh! and if the ends of the "turtleneck" shaped more to the tips of the fingers, a bit softer than the straight edge. If only I could knit...
5/7/2011 3:36 PM

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