Imagine my joy upon receiving this photo showing Hiroko, Izumi and Midori wearing the gloves I sent them across the miles. And they each chose the pair I had imagined they would choose! Hiroko chose the longer ones with the thumb, Izumi chose the chunky aqua, and Midori chose the darker blue variegated.
It brought tears to my eyes. Apparently it is still cold there too and so they will still get use out of them this spring. And along my walk yesterday ...
I spotted this little cherry blossom bundle laying on the ground and rescued it to enjoy for a day.
Modified "Welted Fingerless" gloves. While cute in the pattern, with little buttons on the "welts", mine resemble some kind of Star Wars space gloves, maybe done on too large sized needles. I ripped out and began again using size 5's. Instead I did a k2, p2 rib at the wrist and then 8 rows of k2, p2 rib at the top. Done on size 5 dpn's in Manos del Uruguay (silk /wool),1 skein. I especially like the design of the gusset for the thumb. And if you knit the M1R and M1L the correct way, as in if the bar you lift up is twisted the right direction, you end up with no holes at the increases. And the second try resulted in the version below, which I like much better.
A set of fingerless mitts for Hiroko, and another simplified version without a thumb for Midori and Izumi. They are our friends in Japan who we know through an exchange program we were involved with about 11 years ago through school. We've kept in touch all these years, and emailed messages back and forth so the father may practice his English. Thankfully, they are safe. Our prayers are with them, and with the people of Japan as they experience their time of turmoil, and sadness following the earthquake. I will, as soon as I feel it is reasonable and that the airplanes are making such flights, send these gloves across the miles to let them know how much I am thinking of them and praying for them. I knit these for them, because it is my way of giving them something that is tangible, something heartfelt, and personal, that comes from my own creativity from my hands to theirs. I knit them because I know the mother also appreciates handmade items of beauty. I hope they will be comforted wearing these somehow and in knowing someone on the other side of the world cares for them. I like to imagine that they will choose which pair suits them, and which color they like the best. I can imagine them wearing them about town, on the train, to and from school or work. It is one way I can send part of myself to be there with them. The cherry blossoms on my library book remind me of them also. May springtime arrive soon for them all.
