Set discount: this pattern can be purchased together with its sister design InGENEous Fingerless Gloves at a set price of 7.00 CHF (coupon code DNA, previous purchases apply).

Are you a science lover marveling at the clever form and function of DNA? A Science Fiction fan fascinated by the (hypothetical) possibilities of cloning? A knitter who enjoys an interesting knit with asymmetrical cables and little Vikkel braids? Then this design is for you!

The cable panel on the back of the hand is shaped like a DNA strand, the carrier of our genes; the palm is worked in stocking stitch with comfortable thumb shaping.

Skills required: Knitting and purling in the round, working increases and decreases, cabling over three and four stitches, and working Vikkel braids. Grafting the remaining live stitches at the top of the mitten with Kitchener stitch is recommended, but you could use a 3-needle bind-off or other joining technique if preferred.
Cabling techniques are explained in the Techniques section; Vikkel braids are both described in words and shown in a step-by-step photo tutorial.

The DNA cable panel is charted.

Mitten circumference (unstretched):
19 cm/7½’’’ (M), 21 cm/8¼’’ (L)
Length:
24 cm/9½’’ (M), 27 cm/10¾’’ (L)
Instructions for adjusting the pattern to slightly smaller hands are provided.

Your download includes a separate PDF file with a stand-alone chart of the cable panel on a reverse stocking stitch background. You don't need this second PDF to make the mittens pictured, but you can use it to design your own projects with this pattern.

Thank you to Jo Torr for technical editing.