Alder Fingerless Mitts by Agnes Zombory

Alder Fingerless Mitts

Knitting
August 2019
Sport (12 wpi) ?
23 stitches and 19 rows = 2 inches
in ribbed chevron
US 2 - 2.75 mm
241 - 273 yards (220 - 250 m)
Hand circumferences 19 to 20 cm
English
This pattern is available as a free Ravelry download

These mittens showcase a highly textured ribbed chevron fabric, which I designed when looking for a chevron stitch pattern that would be elastic enough to give a good fit at the wrist and the hand too, while maintaining the overall pattern. The 4 row stitch pattern is easy to memorize, and the result is an extremely elastic and wonderfully squishy fabric.
The thumb gusset is constructed in an unusual way, omitting the decreases in the chevron pattern, instead of working increases.
The top edge features a little bit of short-rowing, to achieve a straight edge and prevent flaring.

The original pattern was for a women’s L, for a hand circumference of 19 to 20 cm. I have now added a size M, for hand circumferences of about 17.5 to 18.5 cm. The stitch pattern is very elastic, so the mittens will easily fit hands a little bigger or smaller.

As written, the pattern requires about 220 m of sportweight yarn. To highlight the texture, use a solid or semi-solid color.

Treat these mittens as you would treat lacy handwarmers, the yarn is tightly plied, but it still is merino. Alternatively, you could knit the slipped stitches on the palm, but I haven’t tried this myself.