I decided to join the TFA holiday KAL this year, as part of my triumphant return to knitting after giving the wrists a break for a month or so. Ah, the best laid plans.

I started out on a pair of flip-tops mitts in Orange label cashmere (in frost), but then saw Jane Richmond’s Spate. I absolutely had to have them. I frogged, cast on again, and commenced ‘botched attempt #1’.

DPNS and these wrists are an absolute no-go. I frogged my first attempt after completing the cuff and cast on again on flat needles. I frogged again after completing the cuff a second time because I’d forgotten to add an edge stitch on each side for seaming. Finally, a third frogging came after I made a silly mistake in the pattern (due to failing to account for my brand new edge stitch. Cue Homer Simpson’s voice).

I absolutely ADORE them. Once I had my mods down the knitting went very fast, even on my busted wrists.

A confession – I bought my first skein of TFA Orange label right after it came out, and have hung on to it ever since. Once in a while I’d take it out and squish it and think ‘nice, but is it that different from green label?’. So I hoarded it for the right project, and this was definitely it.

After the gloves were done I blocked them before seaming. OMG. I’ll be really girly and say it again; OMG, this yarn is heaven. Once blocked my gloves melted into this gorgeous, snuggly, warm, slightly silky stuff that is to die for (it also opens up the pattern, which did not look at all right to that point). I am absolutely in love and Orange label is going to be my new go-to for really special items!

Raverly Project page here.