First Pair of Fingerless Mitts! Orchard Mitts!

Usually, I shy away from small projects that require a customized fit, i.e., gloves and socks. And although I'd like to tell you they're just too "fiddly" for me, the nasty truth is that they've always intimidated me.  I'll be getting better, though, because it turns out these mitts were a delight to work up.  I used the Orchard Mitts pattern (by Chelsea Norquay) from the Fall 2009 Interweave Crochet (luv that mag).  Never before had I worked a spike stitch, but the instructions clearly guided me through it.  Spike stitch makes a dense and warm fabric, and I cannot wait to try it with something else - a scarf, maybe?   

The yarn story:  I chose a hand dyed sport weight 100% alpaca yarn, Araucania Atacama in Color 526. Beautiful shading, natural colors, and very soft.  Because I made the mitts for myself, I went with alpaca because it doesn't throw me into an itchy fit as does most sheep's wool.  Due to a friend's insistence, however, I've been experimenting with some merino wool yarns. Merino is incredibly soft, and wonder of all wonders:  I can actually wear items made with certain merino yarns without wanting to shred my own skin.  Wish I could wear all manner of wool.  I find that working with wool is heavenly, but wool just doesn't love me - most of the time.

Mitt pic: