I was, I must confess, initially skeptical about the idea of fingerless mitts. I wasn’t sure that they could provide all that much value – other than as a fashion statement. Over my years as a Toronto-based knitter (where our winters have become increasingly and unpredictably harsh), I have become not just a convert, but a very enthusiastic evangelist of the fingerless mitten.

Even though your fingers are exposed, the extra coverage of the hand provides a surprising amount of warmth – and of course choosing an extra warm yarn knitted a bit tight makes them even better. I like to wear a pair of mittens like this under full mittens – very helpful if I have to remove my “big” mittens for any reason, like dealing with dog stuff, holding my transit pass, or digging in my wallet for change for my coffee. I’ve also been known to wear them indoors, in the depths of winter, in our old draughty house. 
Wear them snug for warmth and so they don’t interfere with cold-weather knitting. The ribbing on the palm helps the fit. 
Because this yarn is soft and therefore somewhat inclined to pill, I’ve worked it on smaller needles than you might expect.

I came across this particular cable motif in Barbara Walker’s Third Treasury (the charted one), and it’s been bookmarked for at least ten years, waiting for the right project. I was glad to finally find the perfect spot to use it. Not being one to leave well-enough alone, I created a mirrored version – Second Mitt Syndrome is too a real thing!