Frida Kahlo is especially well known for her numerous self-portraits. In one series of self-portraits she depicts herself with exotic animals, such as monkeys and parrots. It is in these paintings that she shows herself in her most Mexican attire, including the traditional hair style of thick braids piled up on top of her head. This hair style became almost a trademark of her, and was the inspiration for this fingerless mitten pattern.

The cable patterns create a rib effect that ensures that the mittens mould themselves around the hand in a perfect fit. Fewer stitches on cuff and top of mitten provide the extra snugness that makes fingerless mittens look so much more elegant!

This pattern was part of the October 2011 Woolgirl Sock Club parcel, with a Frida Kahlo theme.

The sizes are Women’s S, [M, L]. Mitten circumference above thumb 17[18, 19.5]cm / 6¾[7⅛, 7⅝]” for hands with a circumference above thumb of around 1cm / ½” more

The yardage given above is rounded up to a full skein.

The pattern provides detailed instructions, both fully written and charted (15 pages).

With lots of thanks to my wonderful test knitters!