Simsala

Simsala Top-Down Mittens & Mitts by Åsa Tricosa

What Is Being Made

Simsala is a top-down mitten and mitt pattern designed by Åsa Tricosa. The pattern includes instructions for creating a coordinating pair of mittens and a pair of mitts from a single yarn purchase, or alternatively two pairs of mittens with adjusted striping. The design is available in three sizes: small (18 cm circumference, 24 cm length), medium (20 cm circumference, 28 cm length), and large (22 cm circumference, 30 cm length).

Knitting Techniques

Simsala mittens are constructed using the top-down method, beginning with a winding cast on technique that is described as super-simple for quick project initiation. The mittens feature a thumb gusset integrated into the main body, which provides an improved fit by creating shaping around the thumb area. Striped colorwork is a defining design element throughout the mittens, adding visual interest while the stripes themselves are noted as contributing functionally to the overall construction.

The pattern is worked on a long circular needle using the magic loop method, a technique that allows knitters to work small circumferences with a single needle. The pattern accommodates alternative needle preferences, permitting knitters to substitute double-pointed needles or two circular needles if desired.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

While specific stitch abbreviations are not detailed in the provided pattern excerpt, the construction employs fundamental knitting stitches suitable for intermediate-level knitters. The pattern incorporates stranded colorwork techniques for the striped design, requiring knitters to manage multiple yarn colors within rows.

Yarn and Materials

The recommended yarn is Drops Karisma Superwash, a DK-weight wool yarn offering 105 meters (115 yards) per 50-gram skein. The pattern calls for three 50-gram skeins total, distributed across multiple colors: light grey (C1), red (C2), and orange (C3) for the mittens, with dark grey (C4) and black (C5) as additional options for the mitts.

Alternative yarn options are provided for substitution:

• Wollmeise Merino DK at 428 meters (468 yards) per 200-gram skein, with suggested colorways including Maus Jung, Herzblut, and Saffran
• GGH Baby Alpaka at 100 meters (112 yards) per skein

Knitters will require a long circular needle appropriate for DK-weight yarn, sized according to the yarn manufacturer's recommendations for gauge.

Difficulty Level

Simsala is rated as an intermediate difficulty pattern, suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle top-down construction, thumb gusset shaping, and stranded colorwork techniques.