The October Mittens are inspired by the dried twig and bud floral decorations that adorn homes in the autumn and winter. The mittens are dense and warm but not too thick. As such, they are perfectly suited for brisk morning walks to school and work before the weather turns frigid and blustery. The color, Buttermere, was chosen for its brightness, which looks great against the ruddy color of falling leaves.

The floral pattern of the mitten is created by 1 x 1 cable crosses that flow into one another and grow into the delicate branches, extending from the basket-patterned cuff. Mini-bobbles form the buds that gather at the tip of each branch. The thumb has a detail of a single branch extending up the thumb, finished with a cluster of mini-bobbles. The basket pattern on the cuff seamlessly aligns with the thumb gusset for a cohesive appearance.

The mini-bobble came about as I was swatching for the mitten. The traditional bobble was too big for the delicate pattern and looked clumsy. This mini-bobble uses only 3 stitches and is completed in fewer rows. It has a nice, round, rosebud appearance that doesn’t overshadow the cable cross branches.

SPECIFICATIONS
YARN: The Fibre Co. Cumbria Fingering (60% merino wool, 30% masham wool, 10% mohair; 328 yds/100 gm skein): buttermere, 1 skein.
GAUGE:
Flower Cable Chart (32 sts) = 3.75” (9.5 cm) on larger needles, after blocking.
42 rnds = 4” (10 cm) in charted pattern on larger needles, after blocking.
32 sts + 40 rnds = 4” (10 cm) in basket weave on smaller needles, after blocking.
NEEDLES:
1 - set US 1 (2.25 mm) DPNs.
1 - set US 2 (2.75 mm) DPNs.
NOTIONS: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, stitch holder or waste yarn.
SIZE: 10” (25.5 cm) total length, 8” (20.25 cm) circumference.
SKILLS: Bobbles, working cables from charts.

USEFUL TIPS:
• For a tutorial on working from charts, visit our Charts Series here.
• For a tutorial on working 2 stitch cables without a cable needle, visit our tutorial here.
• For a tutorial on swatching and measuring gauge in a cable pattern, visit our tutorial here.