The blueberry barrens in downeast Maine exhibit an amazing medley of reds, oranges, maroons and burgundies, along with some green and a dash of yellow—each patch of color is essentially one plant that spreads over time and with the farmer’s help. It is a stunning fall display and I never tire of it! I decided the time had come to pull together a mitten pattern that pays homage to these wild, but managed fields. I used colors that would blend right in with the fall foliage and the berries themselves, and the cables and lace and twisted stitches reflect the braided and twisting patterns of the trails through the fields and the rolling hills. The design includes a lace and cable pattern on the back of the hand, with stockinette thumbs and palms.

The pattern includes instructions for both mittens and fingerless mitts, and is worked with 2 strands of yarn held together throughout—a lace-weight silk/mohair along with a fingering weight wool. Written in one size, adult medium, extra sizes can be made by working at different gauges and/or with alternate yarn choices.

The fuzziness of the mohair fills in the lace holes to some extent and keeps the mittens warm and cozy in spite of the lightness of the fabric. Because the lace is quite stretchy, a thin pair of wool liner gloves could be worn underneath on especially brisk days, or if you like an especially warm mitten, a soft knit-in liner could be added.

The mitten design includes an extra-long cuff to tuck up under a coat sleeve, or wear folded in half. If you prefer a shorter cuff, follow the instructions for the fingerless mitt cuff which is of average length.

The gusset thumb is sited slightly to the palm side of the mitten to give an especially comfortable fit. The top shaping is slightly rounded and finished by cinching together the remaining few stitches.

SIZE: Adult average

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS:
Circumference: 8 inches
Hand Length (without cuff)—adjustable: Mitten—7 inches, Fingerless Mitt—4.5 inches
Changes to gauge or yarn weight, or adding length, may require extra yarn

GAUGE: 24 sts and 36 rnds = 4”/10cm on gauge size needles

NEEDLES: Choose needles based on your preferred method for working small circumferences in the round. Suggested needle size: US 3 (3.25mm)

YARN: Fingering-weight wool yarn (~270 yds/50g) AND Lace-weight mohair/silk yarn (~230 yds/ 25g)

Samples were knit in Biches & Bûches Le Petit Lambswool 50g = 270 yds and Le Petit Silk & Mohair 25g = 230yds
Yards needed/pair mittens:
200 yds of each of the 2 listed yarn types
Yards needed /pair fingerless mitts:
135 yds of each of the 2 listed yarn types

NOTIONS: tapestry needle, waste yarn for stitch holder, 3 stitch markers

SKILLS USED: working in the round, decreases (CDD, k2tog, ssk), increases (M1L, M1R), using a chart, working simple lace sts (yo), picking up stitches, working simple cables