Constantine Mittens

Constantine Mittens by Faye Perriam-Reed

What is Being Made

Constantine Mittens are a pair of knitted mittens designed by Faye Perriam-Reed. These mittens are available in four sizes to fit palm circumferences ranging from Small (19cm / 7½in) through to Extra Large (25.5cm / 10in), with a finished length of approximately 27.5cm to 31.75cm (10¾in to 12½in) depending on size. The mittens feature classic cable work detailing and are constructed using traditional knitting techniques suitable for intermediate-level knitters.

Craft and Techniques

Constantine Mittens are created using the knitting craft. The pattern employs cable knitting as a primary design element, which involves manipulating stitches to create twisted, rope-like textures across the mitten surface. This technique requires the use of a cable needle to temporarily hold stitches while others are worked, creating the distinctive raised patterns characteristic of cable-knit designs.

The mittens can be constructed using either double-pointed needles (DPNs) worked in the round or a circular needle using the Magic Loop method, both of which are traditional approaches for creating seamless, tubular knitted garments. The choice of needle method depends on the knitter's preference and experience level.

Stitches Used

The pattern incorporates several fundamental knitting stitches and techniques:

• Knit stitch (K) – the basic stitch forming the foundation of the fabric
• Cable stitches – specifically 3/3LC (slip next 3 stitches onto cable needle and hold at front of work, knit 3, then knit 3 from cable needle) and 3/3RC (slip next 3 stitches onto cable needle and hold at back of work, knit 3, then knit 3 from cable needle) – these create the characteristic twisted cable patterns
• Knit 2 together (K2tog) – a basic decrease used for shaping
• Knit 3 together (K3tog) – a double decrease for more pronounced shaping
• Make 1 Left (M1L) – an increase worked by lifting the strand between needles from front to back and knitting through the back loop, used to add stitches while maintaining pattern integrity

Materials and Yarn

Constantine Mittens are designed to be worked in worsted weight or aran weight yarn. The sample shown in the pattern uses Erika Knight Vintage Wool, a worsted weight yarn composed of 100% wool. This yarn is supplied in 100-gram skeins with a yardage of 174 meters (190 yards) per skein. The sample mittens were worked in the colorway Flax (302), a neutral tone. Yardage requirements vary by size: Sizes Small and Medium require 1 skein, while Sizes Large and Extra Large each require 2 skeins.

The pattern specifies needle sizes appropriate to the yarn weight: 4mm (UK 8/US 6) double-pointed needles are used for Sizes Small and Large, while 5mm (UK 7/US 7) double-pointed needles are specified for Sizes Medium and Extra Large. A 60cm circular needle can be substituted for the double-pointed needles when using the Magic Loop method.

Difficulty Level

Constantine Mittens are rated as an intermediate knitting project. This difficulty level reflects the inclusion of cable work, which requires understanding how to use a cable needle and execute cable stitches accurately, combined with basic shaping techniques. Knitters should have solid foundational skills including comfort with working in the round and executing increases and decreases before attempting this pattern.