Shaila Mittens by Ella Gordon

Shaila Mittens

Knitting
September 2017
Fingering (14 wpi) ?
34 stitches and 37 rows = 4 inches
in stranded colourwork
US 1½ - 2.5 mm
US 2½ - 3.0 mm
500 yards (457 m)
Small (Large)
English
This pattern is available for £4.00 GBP buy it now
Errata available: acknitwear.co.uk

This is the penultimate pattern from A Year of Techniques - a collection of 12 patterns to teach you new knitting skills.

These two-colour mittens, featuring a selection of Shetland peerie motifs, are a great way to practise holding your yarns consistently.

KNITALONG
The thread for all questions queries about these socks can be found here: January KAL

SIZES
Small (Large)
Finished circumference above thumb: 18 (21) cm [7¼ (8¼) in]
Mitten length from cuff to top: 22 (25) cm [8¾ (9¾) in]

YARN
Jamieson & Smith 2ply Jumper Weight (4ply weight / fingering; 100% Shetland wool; 115m per 25g ball)
Yarn A: Shade 23; 2 x 25g balls both sizes
Yarn B: Shade 54; 2 x 25g balls both sizes

NEEDLES AND NOTIONS
1 set 2.5mm [US 1.5] double-pointed needles or needles suitable for your preferred method of small circumference knitting, or one size smaller than those needed to match tension
1 set 3mm [US 2.5] double-pointed needles or needles suitable for your preferred method of small circumference knitting, or size needed to match tension
2 stitch markers
2 lengths smooth waste yarn for afterthought thumb placement
Latch hook tool or crochet hook (optional)

TENSION
34 sts and 37 rounds to 10cm [4in] over chart patterns using 3mm needles, after washing and blocking

TECHNIQUES
These mittens use the afterthought thumb method as described in December’s tutorial.

PATTERN NOTES
These mittens feature an extra-warm folded cuff with a plain inside and corrugated rib on the outside. The hands showcase a selection of peerie (small) colourwork motifs allowing you to practise holding your yarns consistently. To help you keep your floats even, it is recommended that you turn your knitting inside out for the colourwork sections. This forces the floats around the outside of the work and keeps them from puckering the fabric. It is only necessary to weave in the floats if they are carried over more than 5 stitches. The mittens are knitted in the round with an afterthought thumb.

VIDEO TUTORIAL
The video tutorial on holding your yarns consistently for stranded colourwork will be released at Mason-Dixon Knitting on 4th January 2018.