Einar Mitts

Einar Mitts by Ella Gordon

What is Being Made

Einar Mitts are a pair of knitted gloves designed by Ella Gordon to coordinate with the Einar Hat, featured in the 2018 Shetland Wool Week Annual. These mitts are sized to fit small to medium adult hands with a circumference of 7 to 7.5 inches. The design uses a charted colorwork pattern worked in the round, making them an ideal beginner-friendly introduction to Fair Isle or stranded colorwork knitting.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Einar Mitts employ several fundamental knitting techniques suitable for beginners looking to expand their skillset. The primary technique is small circumference knitting in the round, which creates seamless fabric ideal for fitted garments like mittens. The pattern features charted colorwork, where multiple yarn colors are carried and worked according to a visual chart, creating patterned designs across the fabric surface. An afterthought thumb method is used for thumb placement, allowing knitters to complete the main mitt body first before returning to pick up stitches and knit the thumb opening separately. This technique simplifies construction and is particularly beginner-friendly.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Einar Mitts are constructed using stockinette stitch as the base fabric, worked in rounds to create smooth, even knit surfaces. The visual interest comes from the charted colorwork pattern, which combines multiple yarn shades to create a traditional design. Knitters will work following a stitch chart that indicates which color to knit in each position, a fundamental skill in Fair Isle and stranded colorwork knitting. The pattern includes ribbed sections, likely at the cuff and thumb opening, which provide elasticity and help the mitts stay securely on the hands.

Materials and Yarn

The Einar Mitts are designed to be worked in Jamieson & Smith 2ply Jumper Weight yarn, a 4ply weight fingering yarn made from 100% Real Shetland Wool. Each ball contains 115 meters and weighs 25 grams. The pattern calls for four coordinating shades: Shade 54 (2 balls), Shade 32 (1 ball), Shade 1281 (1 ball), and Shade FC43 (1 ball), allowing for creative colorwork combinations. The total yardage required is approximately 345 meters across all four colors.

Needles and Tools

Two sets of needles are required to complete the Einar Mitts. The first set consists of 2.5mm double-pointed needles (DPNs) used for the ribbed cuff, which creates a tighter gauge for a snug fit. The second set of 3.00mm double-pointed needles is used for the main charted pattern sections. Double-pointed needles are ideal for small circumference knitting, though knitters may substitute their preferred method for working small circumferences, such as circular needles or the magic loop technique. The pattern also requires two lengths of smooth waste yarn for holding stitches during the afterthought thumb placement and two stitch holders or additional lengths of waste yarn for managing live stitches.

Gauge and Finishing

The pattern specifies a tension of 32 stitches and 36 rounds over 4 inches when working the charted pattern using 3.00mm needles, measured after washing and blocking. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit, particularly in a garment designed for small to medium hands. Knitters may need to adjust needle sizes up or down to match the specified tension, as individual knitting styles vary. The finished mitts should be washed and blocked according to Shetland wool care instructions to achieve the correct dimensions and drape.