Tintagel Mitts

Tintagel Mitts by Threebagsfulled

What is Being Made

The Tintagel Mitts are a pair of knitted fingerless mittens designed for medium ladies with a hand circumference of 6" to 7" around the knuckles. These mitts feature thumb holes created using a waste yarn technique, making them practical for activities requiring finger dexterity while maintaining hand warmth.

Craft and Primary Technique

This is a knitting project suitable for knitters with intermediate skill level. The design incorporates several key techniques that add depth and functionality to the finished garment. The most notable technique is the waste yarn method for creating thumb holes, which involves knitting a set of stitches with contrasting waste yarn to act as a temporary placeholder. These stitches are then returned to the left-hand needle and worked with the main yarn, allowing the waste yarn to be removed later and the thumb opening to be finished.

Stitches and Construction Methods

The Tintagel Mitts utilize fundamental knitting stitches and techniques including:

• Knit (k) – the primary stitch forming the fabric
• Purl (p) – used for textural variation
• Cast on (c/o) – to establish the initial stitches
• Bind off (b/o) – to secure and finish edges
• Pick up and knit (p/u&k) – to pick up stitches and knit them simultaneously, likely used when finishing the thumb opening
• Knit through back loop (k1tb) – a technique creating twisted stitches for textural interest

Materials and Gauge

The Tintagel Mitts are worked in DK weight yarn, specifically Queensland Collection Rustic Wool DK. One skein is sufficient to complete the project. The pattern calls for Size 6 double-pointed needles (dpns) for the initial construction and Size 6 circular needles for working in the round. A tapestry needle is required for weaving in yarn ends. A small length of contrasting waste yarn is essential for the thumb hole technique.

The recommended gauge is 5 stitches to the inch when the finished mitts are being worn. The pattern notes that Queensland Collection Rustic Wool DK has significant stretch, which affects how the finished mitts fit and wear on the hand, making the worn gauge more relevant than the measured gauge off the needles.

Design Details

This original design from Threebagsfulled (©2009 Hilary Designs) demonstrates thoughtful construction with the waste yarn thumb technique being the standout feature. This method allows for clean, finished thumb holes without complex increases or decreases, making it an excellent intermediate-level technique for knitters looking to expand their skillset beyond basic garment construction.