Back of Beyond was created for quarter 4 (Hands) of the Head 2 Toe with Kino and Jo knitalong (KAL), a year-long event with Kino Knits and Jesie Ostermiller. Throughout 2022, knit a pattern in specific categories by either designer for the chance to win prizes! Visit the KAL FAQ page for more information and tag your entries on social media with #Head2ToeKAL.

In one phase of parenting, I read Julia Donaldson’s “Room on the Broom”… a lot. It’s a charming book about a cheery witch and her found family of animals, and there’s a phrase about how “they shot through the sky to the back of beyond” that I have always loved for its poetic imagery.

For my final offering in the 2022 Head to Toe with Kino and Jo Knitalong, I’ve designed bold graphic mittens with a shocking inverse of patterning on each side. It’s taking the back of each mitten to beyond awesome.

Visit Mitchell’s Creations for specially curated kits for this pattern.

What test knitters had to say:

• “Once I got the colorwork pattern it fell into a nice rhythm and it was very enjoyable to knit. I love the design - from the inside pop to the arrows pointing up.”
• “Everyone who has seen it is impressed by the mitten: I brought it to my knitting group and they don’t impress easily.”
• “I liked your video [on knitting stranded colorwork] - that really helped me keep the tension even.”
• “I loved the charts and how the keys were on every page!”

Sizes (actual mitten measurements; choose a size slightly larger than actual hand circumference):

Size: Circumference, Cuff Length, Hand Length, Thumb Gusset Length, Thumb Length

• 1: 6.75”/17 cm, 3”/7.5 cm, 6”/15 cm, 2.5”/6.5 cm, 2.25”/5.5 cm
• 2: 7.5”/19 cm, 3”/7.5 cm, 6.75”/17 cm, 2.75”/7 cm, 2.5”/6.5 cm
• 3: 8”/20 cm, 3”/7.5 cm, 7.5”/19 cm, 3”/7.5 cm, 2.75”/7 cm
• 4: 8.5”/22 cm, 3”/7.5 cm, 8.25”/21 cm, 3.25”/8 cm, 3”/7.5 cm

Yarn (includes 15% buffer):
Two colors contrasting DK yarn
C1: 110 (135, 155, 165) yards/ 101 (123, 142, 151) m
C2: 60 (80, 95, 110) yards/ 55 (73, 87, 101) m

Sample shown in Size 3 in on hands measuring 7.5”/19 cm circumference in Mitchell’s Creations Fountainbleau DK (80% superwash merino, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon), 231 yds/211 m per 3.5 oz/100 g), C1: Boyfriend Jeans, C2: Life’s a Beach)

Blocked Gauge:
26 stitches and 30 rnds = 4”/10 cm in colorwork pattern in the rnd using larger needles

Tools:

• 3 stitch markers (1 should be unique)
• Stitch holder or waste yarn for holding thumb stitches
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
• Scissors for trimming ends

Needles:
US 3 and 5 (3.25 and 3.75 mm) needles for knitting a small circumference in the rnd, or sizes needed to obtain gauge

Social Media:
Please post your finished mittens on social media with #BackOfBeyondMittens and #KinoKnits. Please also tag @kinoknits.

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