Heavenly Handwarmers
Practice knitting “magic loop” style while making a comfy pair of practical mittens. The clever technique of using one circular needle to knit small circumferences means you’ll never drop a needle (perfect for travelling). This design includes tips and photos for using one circular and has all the design features that we love about mittens: long cuffs, thumb gusset, a no-hole thumb and a rounded mitten top.
Start with the smallest size to check your gauge, then pick from eight included size options to get just the right fit. We like our mittens to keep out the cold: we recommend a wool yarn and a firm gauge. Gather your supplies and cast on!
Directions are given for 8 sizes, ranging from toddler to large adult.
Hand/Palm Circumference: 5.5” (6”, 6.5”, 7”, 7.5”, 8”, 8.5”, 9”) or 14 cm (15cm, 16.5cm, 18cm, 19cm, 20.5cm, 21.5cm, 23cm)
Approximate sizes: 2-4 years (4-6 years, 6-8 years, Woman’s Small, Woman’s Medium, Woman’s Large/Man’s Small, Man’s Medium, Man’s Large). These mittens are designed to fit with 0 - 1in / 0 - 2.5 cm of positive ease.
Yarn used in our samples:
- Rowan Pure Wool (100% wool, 100g, 200m / 218 yds): 1 ball makes a pair of any size, including the largest.
- Rowan Kid Classic (70% Wool, 22% Mohair, 8% Polyamide, 50g, 140m / 153 yds): 1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2) ball(s).
- Hand Maiden Eden (80% Superwash Fine Merino, 10% Cashmere, 10% Nylon, 118g, 200m / 218 yds): I skein makes a pair any size, including the largest.
- Or an equivalent worsted weight yarn (we recommend 100% wool or a high wool blend). Approx meterage per pair: 60m (82m, 92m, 114m, 138m, 160m, 178m, 187m).
Needles & Notions:
- 3.75mm (US 4) and 4.0mm (US 5) circular needles, 80cm / 32 in long or size needed to obtain gauge.
- A few locking stitch markers, a tapestry needle and a short length (30cm / 12in) of a smooth waste yarn in a fingering weight (for a stitch holder).
Gauge: 22 sts and 32 rnds = 10cm/4in, worked in stockinette stitch, in the round, after blocking on larger needles.