New Pattern: Fine Morning Mitts

Longer days and morning birdsong tell me spring is on its way. Naturally, my mind turns to knitting fresh accessories for spring — especially delicate lace in lighter weight yarns. With that in mind, I’ve designed the Fine Morning Mitts, a sweet pair of fingerless mitts perfect for spring.

The pattern is live on Ravelry, where you can save 20% with the coupon code MITTS20, through Friday, March 6.

The Fine Morning Mitts feature a column of delicate lace at the outer edge of each hand, set off with simple stockinette stitch. They’re worked in the round on double-pointed needles with fingering weight yarn. For the sample, I used Hudson + West Co. Weld, a soft blend of merino and Corriedale wool in the Fawn colorway. One skein is more than enough for a pair; the two sizes require 135 (150) yds/125 (138) m fingering weight yarn.

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You’ll find complete information on sizes, gauge, dimensions, and needles on the Fine Morning Mitts Ravelry pattern page.

In the past week, I’ve seen daffodils pushing up out of the ground and heard the cardinals singing their “purdy-purdy” song in the early mornings. Spring is almost here — I can’t wait! I really want to drop everything and cast on spring accessories. How about you?

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Treat Yourself KAL Ideas: Hands and Feet

The Treat Yourself KAL is meant to be relaxing — but sometimes working on a deadline feels stressful, and we don’t want that! So if you’d like to join the knitalong but aren’t sure you’ll have time to finish a large project like a sweater or shawl, consider choosing something smaller. Mitts, mittens, and socks are not major time commitments, and they’re also portable, easy to bring with you wherever you go.

You can make any of my designs for this KAL, which starts Monday, January 14. Here are just a few ideas for hands and feet - see more in my socks, mitts, and hats Ravelry bundle (hats are quick small projects, too, and I’ll talk about them in another post).

Treat Yourself Knitalong Ideas: Hands and Feet

Pattern: Indikon
Yarn: Sportweight

I have a soft spot for the squishy texture of these mitts. They’re incredibly warm! I’ve worn them so much they’re beginning to wear thin in places, so I might cast on a new pair for the Treat Yourself KAL. The pattern provides instructions for two sizes; you’ll need 190-225 yards/174-206 m.

Pattern: On the Other Hand
Yarn: Skeinny Dipping Merino Single (fingering weight)

This pattern gives you two design options for the cuffs - make one of each, or make both mitts the same. They’re nice and long, great for keeping cold air out of your coat sleeves while leaving your fingers free.

Pattern: Leaf in the Wind
Yarn: Cascade 220 Fingering

For winter’s coldest days, you’ll want your fingers well covered — and that calls for mittens. Inspired by the art of Agnes Martin (and named after one of her paintings), the Leaf in the Wind mittens pair striped garter stitch cuffs with geometric stranded-color patterning.

Pattern: Couplet
Yarn: Periwinkle Sheep Watercolors

I love when I hit on a design idea that gives knitters options. Like the On the Other Hand mitts, Couplet gives you two options for the cuffs — one with lace (shown here) and one without. Choose whichever strikes your fancy!

Pattern: Rowhouse Socks
Yarn: Fingering weight - three colors

Here’s a project for those odds and ends of sock yarns in your stash. The colorwork is not complicated, and once you’re past it, the solid-color part of the sock is really perfect for knitting while on the bus or in line or at meetings (or hanging out at home with your knitting inspector/kitty).

I hope some of these patterns appeal to you for the Treat Yourself KAL! If you’re joining in, what will you make?

Coming up next time: garment ideas.

LINKS

Treat Yourself KAL

Bonnie Sennott: Ravelry Designer Page

Bonnie’s Socks, Mitts, and Hats Bundle