New gloves and a gift pattern

I've been creating a new fingerless glove pattern with a different method. It's interesting to work and I've tried it out.

Here's the sample. I worked the body in Tunisian crochet simple stitch, and the wrist in knitted 2x2 rib. You create a rectangle, as in the top picture, then fold it over, stitch it up, leaving a gap for the thumb.  As you see, simple and it works.

Anyway, if you're interested in trying it, here's the how to.

Tunisian crochet hook size I (eye), chain 17. Then proceed, using simple stitch, for 37 rows. Then with size 7 knitting needles, pick up the stitches from the edge of the long side, 37, and knit 2x2 rib for 12 rows. At one end there will be an extra stitch, which is handy when you stitch up the side.

You try it on to determine where to place the thumb opening. That's it. 

I showed this on another platform today and someone instantly wanted to buy a pair. Such innocence. The cost at a reasonable hourly return, would stagger someone used to buying commercially produced gloves. So I encouraged her to try making them. It's pretty simple.

So there you are. You could knit the whole thing, too, if Tunisian crochet isn't in your repertoire. It gives a lovely firm hard wearing fabric though, so it's worth trying.

Because it's only 17 stitches you can use any hook with a long enough shaft to fit the stitches, no need for a large official Tunisian hook. 

In fact I created this design because I couldn't be bothered to wait till my set of hooks arrives. Turns out it's a really nice design which I'll repeat. I'm now working on the second glove of the pair.

Enjoy your gift pattern. That makes me feel so important, like a real designer...

In other news, it seems that we aging people are currently sharing falling down stories, or getting down on purpose and finding we can't get up again. 

I have precautions in place. Like Andrew, I have a daily text exchange early in the morning. Mine is with my son who lives near. If I don't respond, sometimes  only a technical thing, he messages by Skype. No response by a certain agreed on time, and he will either come over or if he's too far away, alert a neighbor. 

My phone is on me literally all the time. It's never in a different room. When I shower it's within reach, and overnight it charges next to the bed, still in reach. 

Best I can do! I do have neighbors who might eventually check if I don't seem active, sometimes they've been known to panic and run about the house to find me, when I'm only out walking!!

I do walk regularly and exercise with weights and stretches, all that, just to keep as agile (!) as I can.

I walked today with Carol Cane, not too far, but it's so good to get out and sniff the cold outdoor air. Today there were flocks of juncoes flying ahead of me, happy band. And I found a handy support thing for plants, just right for one of my tall houseplants, just tossed in the trees.  

Happy day everyone, try to stay as vertical as you're designed to be!