In celebrating my recent 10-year “knittiversary,” I was struck by how interwoven knitting has become with my life. When I look over my past projects, I immediately recall road trips with family, yarn quests with friends, television series I compulsively knit my way through, soccer practices without end…

These mitts are a shout-out to some favorite things I discovered during that decade of stitching — versatile fingerless mitts, and beautiful cables in a gleaming hand-dyed yarn. In this pair, the cables circle the entire mitt and are mirrored on either hand, making them interchangeable. A pretty and unique thumb gusset blends easily into the pattern. While they are gorgeous in a solid or tonal yarn, they can easily handle some variegation, too.

Pattern instructions are in both fully charted and written forms.

Recommended Yarn:
Marianated Yarns Playtime DK, one skein (100% Superwash merino; 274 yds to 100 g). Shown in Penny (red-orange) and Ogre Swamp (blue-green). This yarn was a delight to knit — the nuances of color are lovely, and the tight twist makes the cables pop.

Should you wish to substitute, you will need approximately 180-190 yds. of a heavy sportweight or light DK yarn.

Sizing:
The mitts are offered in one size, as they have a lot of inherent stretch, but they may be easily resized by changing yarn weights and needle sizes. The cuffs are knit for 5” before the thumb gusset. Instructions are also given for extending the length in the fingers.

Gauge:
30 sts and 38 rounds to 4” (10 cm) in stitch pattern (knit in the round on larger needle). A firm fabric will both give durability and help cables stand out.

Needles:
Four US 4 (3.5 mm) DPNs, one additional US 2.5 (3 mm) DPN for binding off.

The pattern can also be converted to your preferred method of working in the round, such as Magic Loop or two circular needles.

PLEASE NOTE: I knit very tightly. I actually used US 5 (3.75 mm) needles to achieve this gauge, binding off with a US 3 (3.25 mm). Knitters who are typically “on gauge” will likely wish to use a 4 (3.5 mm) needle. Very loose knitters will likely wish to use a US 3 (3.25 mm) needle. Always use a needle two sizes smaller to bind off. Changes in gauge will affect finished size and amount of yarn used.

Other Materials:
Cable needle, waste yarn, tapestry needle

Skills Needed:
Working in the round, basic cabling knowledge, m1R & m1L, pf&b