Sweet Rowan Beaded Mittens by Galina Zapletnuka

Sweet Rowan Beaded Mittens

Knitting
October 2021
Fingering (14 wpi) ?
30 stitches and 65 rows = 4 inches
in garter
US 0 - 2.0 mm
260 - 315 yards (238 - 288 m)
6.5/7/7.5in (17/18/19cm) in hand circumference
English
This pattern is available for €7.99 EUR buy it now

This is a sister pattern for Sweet Rowan Mitts, published a couple of years ago. The mittens were designed before the mitts, but at the time I didn’t have enough pattern writing experience to produce a mitten pattern.

Both designs share a sideways construction of body and thumb, similar beaded image, and are knitted flat with two seams. However, there is a lot more complexity in shaping the mitten top, thumb, and gusset, which takes this pattern to a whole new level.
The pattern comes in three sizes and has been tech edited and tested. Suitable for intermediate knitters.

PATTERN FEATURES
knitted flat in one piece
3D short row shaping
original thumb and gusset construction
can be knitted with or without beads
written and charted
tech edited and tested
video support

TECHNIQUES
long-tail provisional cast on
short rows / wrapping stitches
beaded knitting
grafting garter stitch

All techniques are described in the pattern and demonstrated in short captioned videos. Here’s a link to one of the videos, demonstrating the long-tail provisional cast on: https://youtu.be/UL_4R9d_lfA

SIZE
Three mitten sizes S/M/L to fit hand circumference 6.5/7/7.5in (17/18/19cm). The finished mitten circumference has about ½ in/1cm negative ease. If your hand circumference is between given sizes, go for the smaller size.

YARN
Use plied fingering weight yarn, approx. 370yd/339m per 100g. Superwash merino/nylon yarns work best for this project. The yarn used in all samples is SweetGeorgia Tough Love Sock (80% Merino, 20% nylon; 425 yds 389m/ 4.06 oz 115g).

Size S 70g: approx. 260 yds 240m, in Beach House
Size M 75g: approx. 280 yds 255m, in Mulberry
Size L 85g: approx. 315 yds 290m, in Charcoal

Scrap yarn for cast on in contrasting colour, preferably in the same base/ weight as main yarn.

Your beadwork will look best on solid or semi-solid colour yarns. For non-beaded versions, hand-dyed variegated yarns will look amazing.

BEADS
Beads shown in the sample are size 8/0 Czech Preciosa seeds in green #53430 and red #93170.
You will need seed beads 2-3mm in diameter. Look for rocailles (doughnut shaped beads) in size 8. Some of the bead options are Czech Preciosa, Japanese Toho, Dyna Mites, and Miyuki.

Colour a (green) 516 beads approx. 15g
Colour b (red) 168 beads approx. 7g

GAUGE
30sts x 65rows to 4in/10cm in garter stitch.

Note: Tough Love Sock is at the bulkier end of fingering weight yarns. You may get the same gauge with the 437yd/400m/100g sock yarn, but it will yield thinner fabric and/or you may need to go up one size.

TOOLS AND NOTIONS
pair US 0/2mm 32in/80cm circular needles
one US0/2mm sock needle for grafting thumb
long beading needle and sewing thread
beading mat
tapestry needle
four stitch markers

I would recommend making the mitts first if you haven’t got experience with either beaded knitting or short row shaping. On the other hand, if you do have a lot of experience with different short rows, don’t let it stay in the way of following this pattern.

Trust the pattern and enjoy your knitting:)