Colorblock Mittens

Colorblock Mittens by Meg Roke

What Is Being Made

Colorblock Mittens is a knitting pattern designed by Meg Roke that creates a pair of mittens with contrasting color blocks. The pattern offers two distinct project options: traditional mittens with thumb and finger coverage, or fingerless mitts for a more open-hand design. Both styles are available in five different sizes ranging from child's medium through women's large and men's small, making this pattern adaptable for various hand sizes across age groups and genders.

Finished Measurements

The mittens are designed to fit the following circumferences for both mittens and fingerless mitts:

• Child's medium: 6 inches (15 cm)
• Child's large: 6⅓ inches (16 cm)
• Women's small: 7 inches (17.5 cm)
• Women's medium: 7⅓ inches (19 cm)
• Women's large/Men's small: 8⅔ inches (21.5 cm)

Knitting Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several fundamental techniques that knitters should be comfortable with before beginning. The pattern uses in-the-round knitting on double-pointed needles, a method that creates seamless, tubular fabric ideal for mittens. Colorblock construction is achieved through color changes at strategic points in the pattern, allowing knitters to create visual interest with contrasting yarn colors. The pattern also incorporates shaping techniques including increases and decreases to form the mitten structure, particularly around the thumb gusset and finger areas. Finishing techniques such as binding off and weaving in ends with a tapestry needle complete the project.

Stitches Used

The Colorblock Mittens pattern is constructed primarily using stockinette stitch, the most fundamental knit fabric. This stitch creates a smooth, flat surface that showcases the colorblock design effectively. The pattern uses standard abbreviations including knit (k) for the basic knit stitch, knit two together (k2tog) for decreasing stitches, and increase (inc) for shaping. Additional essential techniques include cast on (CO) to begin the project and bind off (BO) to secure stitches at completion. Stitch markers are used throughout to help track pattern repeats and shaping sections.

Materials and Yarn

The Colorblock Mittens pattern calls for Puffin by Quince & Co., a yarn made from 100% American wool with a yardage of 112 yards per 100-gram skein. For the traditional mittens version, the pattern requires one skein each in three colorways: Chanterelle (main color), Winesap (contrasting color 1), and Sorbet (contrasting color 2), or a total of 55 to 105 yards depending on size. For the fingerless mitts option, knitters need one skein each in Storm (main color) and Peacoat (contrasting color), or a total of 50 to 100 yards depending on size. The wool fiber provides warmth, elasticity, and durability suitable for mittens that will receive regular wear.

Needles and Gauge

The pattern is worked on four double-pointed needles in US 10.5 (6.5 mm) or the size needed to achieve the correct gauge. The specified gauge is 12 stitches and 17 rows equal 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch when worked on US 10.5 needles. Achieving proper gauge is essential for mittens to fit correctly, as even small variations can result in mittens that are too tight or too loose.

Additional Notions

Beyond yarn and needles, the Colorblock Mittens pattern requires minimal additional supplies. Knitters will need three stitch markers to track key sections of the pattern, a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends and grafting if needed, waste yarn for holding stitches during construction, and scissors for cutting yarn. These basic notions are standard supplies found in most knitters' craft collections.