Peru Bound

Hello hello, back in action, though the action is a little frantic. All my promised fill-in posts are not to be…I’m embarking on an Andean Adventure this week! Peru.

My mom, who is the most wonderful person ever, is taking us both on a dream vacation that features each of our favorite things: Archeology and Textiles. Our group leader is none other than my hero, intrepid traveler and author of “Andean Folk Knitting: Traditions and Techniques from Peru and Bolivia”– Cynthia LeCount Samaké.

I hope to offer regular posts of our adventures, so I’ve been scrambling to get all my broken appliances fixed, camera cleaned, electrical adapters located, and not least of all, deciding what knitting to bring.

I’ve sent a little treat to those of you who have been kind enough to take the time to register here at my website, my new Andean Mitts pattern shown above and available in my shop. They are light, lofty and so soft – just the thing to keep your hands warm during the early spring when there is still a nip in the air. Inspired by images of traditional woven Andean textiles, but with crazy colors! They would be rather elegant in neutrals, so you might just try that.

The details:

Andean Mitts

Finished Size Small 6”[15cm]circumference, Medium 6.75” [17cm] circumference, Large 8” [20cm] circumference. Length all sizes 8” [20cm].

Yarn Shown in Classic Elite Inca Alpaca (100% Alpaca, 50g/109yds [100m])
Orange (1183 – Oriole), Red (1151 – Tulip), Green (1111 – Peridot), Blue (1125 – Aqua Spray), Fuchsia (1163 – Morning Glory); I skein each.

I haven’t tried these but they might be nice:

Knit Pics Andean Silk (55% Super Fine Alpaca, 23% Silk, 22% Merino Wool;50 g/96 yards [87m]) I’d choose Orange (Allspice), Red (Cranberry), Green (Lettuce), Blue (Merlin), Fuchsia (Sangria)

Berrocco Ultra Alpaca (50% Super Fine Alpaca,50% Peruvian Wool; 100 g/ 215 yds [198 m]) Orange (6363 Carrots), Red (6234 Cardinal), Green (6262 Snap Pea), Blue (6294 Turquoise Mix, or I like 6260 Royal), Fuschia (6235 Fuchsia)

Approximate yardage: MC Orange or Red [48m], CC1Red or Orange [30m], CC2 Green [20m], CC3 Blue [20m], CC4 Fuschia [13m]

Needles US7 [4.5 mm] 1 set double-pointed (dpn) US7 [4.5 mm] Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge. If you tend to knit your ribbing loosely, you may want to use a needle one size down for that.
Notions stitch marker (m); tapestry needle, 12”[ cm] waste yarn for afterthought thumb.

Gauge 24 sts and 22 rnds = 4” [10cm] in Colorwork pattern.

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Thanks everyone – see you south of the Equator!

PS-I’ve heard from one friend who registered but didn’t get on the free pattern list, if there are others of you out there, please email me (maryjane(at)maryjanemucklestone.com) and I’ll send you your copy. Let me extend that, if you register before Friday when I leave, I’ll send you a free one too. Now the lost one was in the caverns of WordPress, I’m not sure how she slipped through…