The mitts were always part of the plan. From the moment I finished the Kestra Hat, I knew I’d make matching mitts. I still had plenty of yarn leftover, the main chevron stitch pattern was meditative and fun, and my hands were always cold. But I wasn’t able to cast on for a couple months. In that time, my husband Cody and I had moved into our new house and added Brogan, a new puppy, to the family. Things were busy, but in the best way.

At the earliest hint of a break, I went back to my charts and picked up my needles. For the shaping, I used what I’d learned from the Novemberist Mitts but, like that pattern, I wanted to explore something different, not just a repeat of the hat. So I added a second, unique stitch pattern for the palms. This detail, a visual break from the top of the hand and thumb gusset, became one of my favorites.

Over the next few weeks, I snuck in stitches during evenings and weekends, between work and life. Without fail, Brogan or our other dog, Wes, would settle right beside me on the couch, and there was something special about working on these mitts in our new house—making something not only with but also for my hands while everything else was finally slowing down.

If you’re looking for a reason to pause—something rhythmic that settles into your evenings—here they are.

What makes them special

• Folded, twisted rib edgings. Squishy, snug, and double-thick for genuine warmth—the kind of thing you’ll want to slip on when your house or office is a bit chilly.

• Easy, addictive colorwork. The stranded chevron and dotted stitch patterns keep you engaged without demanding too much focus.

• A hidden stitch pattern on the palms. It’s mostly tucked away, but you’ll catch glimpses of it as you use your hands.

• Quick to knit. Small circumference and straightforward construction mean you’ll have them finished in a few focused sessions. This is the kind of project that doesn’t linger in your WIP pile. Slightly different shaping for each hand ensures enough variety that you won’t have “second sock syndrome.”

• Efficient yarn use. You’ll use surprisingly little of each color—and have enough left over to knit the matching hat or another small piece!

What you get

• Step-by-step instructions in a downloadable PDF. Complete guidance from cast on to finishing, plus charts for each hand (no mental flipping required).

• Videos for both cast-on options. Learn the chained provisional cast on if you’re doubling your cuff or the German twisted cast on if you’re knitting it flat.

• A photo tutorial for turning down the hem. See exactly how to fold and finish the edges around your fingers.

• One size, adjustable. Change your needle size or yarn weight to customize the gauge and fit.

Need a stranded colorwork refresher? Check out my video on stranded colorwork knitting for guidance on holding your yarns, managing floats, and keeping small-circumference colorwork even & stretchy.

The Knitty-Gritty

Description
Folded, twisted rib edgings and simple stranded colorwork together make the Kestra mitts doubly thick and extra warm—and a fun, addictive knit! A geometric chevron pattern dances across the tops of the hands and around the thumbs, only to reveal speckled palms when the mitts are turned over. Pair them with the matching hat for added warmth and effortless style!

Sizes
One Size

Finished Measurements
3½” (9 cm) wide {7” (17.5 cm) circumference} at knuckles; 3” (7.5 cm) wide {6” (15 cm) circumference} at wrist; and 7¾” (19.5 cm) tall, when laid flat

Yarn
Approximately 203 yards (186 meters) DK weight yarn:

• 165 yards (151 meters) main color {103–119 yards (94–109 meters) if knitting flat cuffs and edgings}
• 38 yards (35 meters) contrasting color

Needles & Hooks

• US 7 (4.5 mm) needle(s) for your preferred method of knitting small circumferences in the round, or needle size necessary to obtain correct gauge
• US 4 (3.5 mm) needle(s), or needle size 1 mm smaller than gauge needle
• If using magic loop for cuff and hand sections, double-pointed needles of the same two sizes for working the thumbs
• Spare circular needle in size identical or similar to smaller needle(s), 20” (50 cm) or longer
• Size E (3.5 mm) crochet hook (for chained provisional cast on), or hook size comparable to gauge needle size

Gauge
Stranded Colorwork: 28 sts and 24 rnds = 4” (10 cm), worked in the round using larger needles, after blocking
Twisted Rib: 22.5 sts and 32 rnds = 4” (10 cm), worked in the round using smaller needles, after blocking

Notions

• (1) Stitch marker for beginning of round (optional)

• (3) Stitch markers for keeping place in charts (optional)

• (1) Locking stitch marker

• Waste yarn (same weight as working yarn and fingering weight; in high-contrasting colors; and smooth)

• Tapestry needle