These fingerless mittens are knit in the round, with a basic thumb gusset construction. A cable runs the length of the top of the arm and hand with a shorter cable running up the thumb.

Fingerless mittens are perfect for colder days when we still need to use our fingertips to knit, type, and open doors. I have a pair in the pocket of every jacket and coat I wear, ready for whenever I need them.

This pattern makes me think of wood nymphs, delicately exploring the forest, their hands wrapped warmly in soft stitches. The simple cables on these mittens crawl up the back of the hand and up the thumb like a gentle white moth.

Sizes: Women’s X-Small (Small, Medium, Large, X-Large) based on hand circumferences of 6.5 (7,7.5, 8, 8.5)” 16.5 (17.75, 19, 20.3, 21.6)cm.

Finished Mitten Hand Circumference (unstretched): 5.5 (6, 6.5, 7, 7.5)” 14, (15.25, 16.5, 17.75, 19)cm. These mittens are designed to be worn with approx. 1 inch of negative ease at hand circumference. The positive ease at the wrist and negative ease at the forearm will vary.

Yarn:
223 (244, 266, 289, 312) yards/204 (223, 243, 264, 285) m.

Suggested Yarn: Magpie Fibers Swanky Sock, 80% Superwash merino, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon (378 yards/346m per 115g/4oz skein); 1 skein of Paint It Black. If substituting, look for tightly spun, multiple plied wool sock yarn. Swanky Sock is very stretchy.

Suggested Needles: 2.25mm/U.S. Size 1 needles for working a small circumference in the round: DPNs, 1 long circular, or 2 short circulars AND 2.25mm/U.S. Size 1 DPN set of 4 for knitting the thumb. Or size needed to get gauge.

Notions: Small stitch markers (one distinct for BOR), cable needle, and a tapestry needle.

Gauge: 33 sts and 45 rnds in 4”/10cm. Measured over stockinette stitch in the round after blocking

Difficulty Level: Advanced or adventurous beginner. Skills required: Knit & purl, increasing, cabling, knitting in the round, Twisted German CO, picking up stitches.