Loops and Rope Mitts

Loops and Rope Mitts by Fatimah Hinds

Project Overview

Loops and Rope Mitts is an intermediate-level knitting pattern designed to create a pair of fitted mittens featuring decorative cable work. This downloadable PDF pattern from independent designer Fatimah Hinds offers a versatile project suitable for knitters with some experience in cable techniques and circular needle work.

What Is Being Made

The Loops and Rope Mitts are hand-knitted mittens available in two sizes: S/M and M/L. The finished mittens measure 7.5 to 8 inches in circumference and 8.5 to 10.25 inches in length, depending on size selection. These mitts are designed to be worn with negative ease, meaning they should fit snugly on the hand for optimal wear and warmth.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

This pattern employs several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques. The primary stitch pattern features cable work combined with reverse stockinette stitch, creating visual texture and dimension. Knitters will work with a cable needle to execute the cable crossings that form the decorative loops and rope elements of the design.

The pattern uses circular knitting on small circumference needles, which is worked in the round to create seamless mittens. Techniques include working with stitch markers to track pattern repeats and the beginning of each round, and the pattern incorporates bind-off methods, specifically binding off purlwise for a finished edge.

The cable pattern repeat spans 15 stitches plus 3 additional stitches in reverse stockinette. Knitters can easily customize the length of their mittens by adding or removing additional rounds of the cable chart before completing the top of the mitt.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 15 stitches and 20 rows over 3 inches in the cable pattern. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements. Knitters are advised to swatch the pattern before beginning the full project to ensure their needle size produces the required gauge.

Materials and Yarn

The pattern recommends DK weight yarn and provides two sample options. The gray sample uses Dragonfly Fibers Traveller, a 100% Merino yarn available in 280 yards per 4 ounces, shown in the Winter colorway. The blue sample features Neighborhood Fiber Co Studio DK, also 100% Merino at 275 yards per 4 ounces, in the Reservoir Hill colorway.

Required needles include US 7/4.5mm circular needles in 16-inch length and US 7/4.5mm double-pointed needles (DPNs) for working the top of the mittens. Additional notions needed are a cable needle, stitch markers, a row counter, and a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends.

Pattern Notes and Flexibility

The pattern includes helpful notes for customization. The length of the mitts can be easily adjusted by knitting additional rounds of the cable chart before binding off. The designer notes that as written, there should be sufficient yarn yardage remaining to knit a matching hat, with the separate Loops and Rope Hat pattern available for purchase.

This pattern is designed for personal use only and is the original work of Fatimah Hinds, created in 2018.