The hat was barely off the needles when I cast on the mitts. That November had been a whirlwind—my first trunk show, the trip to Victoria with my husband Cody and his cousin, all of it. And now I’d finally learned how to knit stranded colorwork and made the hat I’d been dreaming about. It had been awkward at first, to use both hands to hold separate yarns, but so satisfying. When Cody helped me choose the colors for the final sample—the warm red with rust and strawberry undertones, that pop of it peeking out from the turned brim—I knew immediately: this hat needed matching mitts.

But I didn’t want to just repeat the hat. I wanted to keep playing with the colorwork on a different canvas—a smaller, more intimate space. I also had an idea for a second stitch pattern on the palms, something complementary and unexpected. And I wanted to explore a unique approach to construction, a way to keep the colorwork flowing continuously around the hand instead of interrupting it with a standard thumb gusset.

They came together so quickly. Each one knit up in just a couple days of focused time, and when I slipped on the completed pair, they were satisfyingly warm and cozy. They tied the whole look together—the colors, the techniques, all of November compressed into something wearable on your hands.

If you’ve made the hat, you already know how this goes—except faster, and with one more stitch pattern to discover.

What makes them special

• Doubled cuffs and openings. Two layers of fabric for genuine warmth in a fingerless design. The contrast color edges add a polished finish.

• Seamless colorwork. A nontraditional thumb gusset means the chevron pattern stays continuous around the outside of the hand.

• A second stitch pattern on the palm side. Mostly hidden—you’ll catch glimpses at the outer edges—but there to discover when you hold out your hands.

• Quick to finish. A couple days of knitting for each mitt. Perfect for using up those leftover yarns from the hat.

What you get

• A clear, downloadable PDF. With tips for stranding the colors, catching floats, and instructions for working the chained provisional cast on—all the techniques you need to make these mitts beautifully.

• A video for the provisional cast on. Learn the technique before you cast on, or reference it while you work.

• One size that works for most. Adjust your gauge or yarn weight if you need a custom fit.

• Individualized instructions for each mitt. No reversing or mirroring instructions yourself—each mitt has its own written instructions so you can knit both confidently.

The Knitty-Gritty

Description
The Novemberist mitts are part of a hat and mitt set dreamed up during an especially memorable November. Made in two high-contrast colorways, these fingerless mitts are doubly thick throughout with turned hems at each opening and a chevron stitch pattern achieved by stranded knitting—both features that make these mitts warmer than your average fingerless mitts!

Sizes
One Size

Finished Measurements
3¾” (9.5 cm) wide, 8¼” (21 cm) tall 7½” (19 cm) circumference around knuckles when laid flat

Yarn
Approximately 176 yards (161 meters) DK weight yarn:

• 86 yards (79 meters) main color
• 90 yards (82 meters) contrasting color

Needles & Hooks

• US 6 (4 mm) double pointed needles OR appropriate needle(s) for your preferred method of knitting small circumferences in the round
• Spare US 6 (4 mm) or no more than 2 sizes smaller circular needle, 16” (40 cm) or longer
• Size G (4 mm) crochet hook (for provisional cast on)

Change needle size if necessary to obtain correct gauge.

Gauge

Stockinette Stitch: 20 sts and 32 rnds = 4” (10 cm), in the round, after blocking

Stranded Colorwork: 28 sts and 26 rnds = 4” (10 cm), in the round, after blocking

Notions

• (1) Stitch marker for beginning of round (optional)

• (1) Locking or split-ring stitch marker

• Waste yarn (in a third, contrasting color; smooth; and no thicker than working yarn)

• Tapestry needle