A show of hands

It has become a custom around here to write a yearly post about mitts (mittens, gloves, etc).  This post is a bit late, but I have been in the Southern Hemisphere for much of the last month and so have not had to deal with cold hands.  Now that I am back home and it is frosty, warm mitts are back on my radar.  So, let’s see a show of hands!

Tettegouche Mittens by Virginia Sattler-Reimer

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by ginni Flickr

I am currently obsessed with fair isle knitting, and these mittens are just divine.  The colours are so rich and gorgeous.  Susan pointed out to me on Ravelry (Hi, Susan!) that the Tattegouche State Park is amazing, and having looked it up, I would agree and can see the inspiration.  Virginia designed these to match a hat pattern which she contributed to Kate Davies’ new collection; so you can make a matching set.

Muhu Gloves by Anu Pink

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© Interweave / George Boe

I love Muhu designs. The description on it’s Ravelry pattern page says: “The gloves knitted in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries on the tiny Estonian island of Muhu were exquisitely flamboyant and knitted at a very tight gauge. This project invites you to knit an authentic pair of Muhu gloves at the traditional gauge.”  (The gauge is 64 stitches and 66 rows = 10 cm, so be fortified before you cast on!) These are published in Piecework by Interweave Knits.

Amazing Grace by Jana Huck

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© Jana Huck

Jana recently published five patterns for fingerless mitts in a collection called A cuff of Cheer.  I like them all and had a hard time deciding which to put here.  One of the things I like about these is the small lines of colour which run across the pattern; I think this opens up endless possibilities for adding some pops of colour and experimenting with shades and combinations.  Like the name of the collection, I find these very cheerful.

Bromont Mitts by Dianna Walla

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© Dianna Walla

These mitts (and the matching hats) make me think of snow ball fights and long walks in the woods, sledding and hot chocolate.  I love them in this combo of pink and grey and natural white, but of course the possibilities are endless.    Dianna spent a few years in Norway, and has clearly been influenced by Norwegian knitting traditions.  This is a simple design, but clean and fun.

Underground by Skeindeer Knits

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© Yarn in the City

I love a bit of fusion, both in cooking and knitting.  These mittens take inspiration from two sources.  As Eli says in the Ravelry pattern description: “I was inspired by the London public transport system, as well as my own Norwegian knitting heritage. These mittens feature patterns from the local-to-me Selbu mitten tradition, as well symbolism well known to all London residents.” I really love the way these two have combined in this design.  They manage to be both striking and charming, and a lot of fun as well.

Happy Glamper mittens by Keri Malley

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© Keri Malley

I love these mittens!  I cannot overstate how happy they make me.  Keri has only published two patterns, but I hope she does more.  They are so whimsical, and nostalgic, and absolutely perfectly framed.  It’s almost enough to make me want to go camping (and that’s saying something)!  I dare you to look at these and not be charmed.

That’s all for this round-up, but if you want to go back and look at previous years’ mitten posts, you can find them here:

Here’s wishing you a happy weekend, good knitting, and warm hands.

Mittens!

Shortly before Christmas last year, I published a post with great mitten patterns (you can find it here).  Last week, I received a lovely mitten pattern in the mail.  As part of her Seven Skeins Club, Kate Davies recently released this pattern, called Kokkeluri:

© Kate Davies Designs

© Kate Davies Designs

I think these are beautiful, and if I ever get my hands back to knttting shape, I plan to make a pair.  (I already have the yarn!)  This pattern is only available to subscribers of the Seven Skeins Club until its general release in 2016.  If you are not part of the Club, never fear!  I have another seasonal round-up of great mitten patterns for you here.

I just love these Medusa Mittens by Annie Watts.  It is one pair in a trio, which includes the Mitts of Sysiphus and the Pandora Mitts.  They are all good, but these are my favorites.

© Annie Watts

© Annie Watts

They can’t be properly appreciated without seeing the back (or the front as the case may be).  What would Medusa be without snakes?

© Annie Watts

© Annie Watts

While I love fun mittens, and I love colourful mittens, I also have a fondness for geometrical patterns, and love the spare lines and muted colours of these, Midtown by Spilly Jane.  She was inspired by the subway ventilation gratings in New York City.

© David Trudell

© David Trudell

My mitten post last year had a couple of red and white themed mittens.  This seems to be a favorite of mine, as witnessed by this pair, the Celtic Inspired Mittens, by Janet Welsh Knits.

© Janet Welsh Knits

© Janet Welsh Knits

The Melancholy Thistle pattern by Pinneguri is pretty in this green and white colourway, but make sure you check out the projects on Ravelry.  There aren’t too many yet, but the variations in the colourways are really striking.  Check them out.  Aren’t the thumbs fabulous?

© Jessica Silversaga

© Jessica Silversaga

Weeds by Lynn Manderville is a lovely pattern.  I find these really appealing; the colourwork is great but I especially love the cuffs.  I am a sucker for seed stitch, and this green is gorgeous.

© Lynn Manderville

© Lynn Manderville

I love these Telšiai Mittens by Donna Druchunas.  These are based on a pair of Lithuanian mittens knitted in the town of Telšiai, and photographed in a Lithuanian knitting pattern book from 1933 (details at Ravelry link above).  The original photo is in black and white, but I think this blue and yellow combination is fabulous.

© Donna Druchunas

© Donna Druchunas

I really love Metasequoia, by Kristen Kapur (what a great name, too!).  I’m not even sure why I find them so appealing but their simple folksiness with a touch of whimsy, is really great.

© Kirsten Kapur

© Kirsten Kapur

Last but not least, I ‘m crazy about the Calaveras Mittens by JennyPenny:

© JennyPenny

© JennyPenny

In case you’re not convinced, just tlook at the reverse side.

© JennyPenny

© JennyPenny

The weather is going to get cold and frosty any day (at least for us in the Northern Hemisphere).  It’s the perfect time to cast on a pair of mittens.  Enjoy!