Product Description
From the pattern description: I have been smitten with the traveling twisted stitch patterns of the Styrian Enns Valley (Bavaria and Austria) for years. These traditional stitch patterns were originally combined to create intricate stockings for men and women, and were part of the national costume throughout the 19th century. In the 20th century, they made their way into vests and jackets.
The pattern panels on the backs of the hands are typical of panels found on traditional stockings. The thumb gusset comes out of the palm rather than the side of the mitts, to prevent the pattern from skewing. The stitch pattern on the palm and thumb gusset is one often used as a filler stitch for calf gussets, and is also incorporated into more complex stitch patterns, much like seed stitch and moss stitch are used in Aran patterns.
The predominate technique used in traveling twisted stitch patterns is that all the knit stitches are worked through the back of the stitch, and 2-st cables
Translated Mittens by Roxanne Richardson
What is Being Made
These are a pair of mittens inspired by traditional Styrian Enns Valley stitch patterns from Bavaria and Austria. The design draws from historical textile traditions that were originally created as intricate stockings for men and women during the 19th century as part of national costume, later evolving into vests and jackets during the 20th century. The mittens feature traditional traveling twisted stitch patterns on the back of the hands, with a functional thumb gusset positioned at the palm rather than the side to maintain pattern integrity.
Techniques Used
The primary technique employed throughout these mittens is the traveling twisted stitch, a traditional method where all knit stitches are worked through the back of the loop. This technique creates the characteristic twisted appearance and texture of authentic Styrian Enns Valley patterns. The thumb gusset placement at the palm—rather than the traditional side placement—is a deliberate design choice that prevents the traveling twisted stitch pattern from skewing or distorting during wear and movement.
Stitches Used
- Traveling twisted stitches on the back-of-hand panels, recreating traditional stocking patterns
- Filler stitch on the palm and thumb gusset, a stitch traditionally used for calf gussets in stockings and incorporated into complex stitch patterns similar to seed stitch and moss stitch in Aran knitting
Materials
These mittens are worked in 4-ply yarn using knitting needles appropriate for the yarn weight. The 4-ply weight provides good stitch definition for displaying the intricate traveling twisted stitch patterns while maintaining a fabric suitable for mittens.
Difficulty Level
This is an intermediate-level knitting project, appropriate for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to work with more complex stitch patterns and techniques such as traveling twisted stitches and gusset shaping.
Format
This pattern is available as a downloadable PDF designed by independent designer Roxanne Richardson, with photography by Michael Schonwetter.
```Specifications
| Brand: | Independent Designer |
| Yarn Weight: | 4 Ply |
| Pages: | 8 |
| Designer: | Roxanne Richardson |
| Craft: | Knitting |
| Format: | Downloadable PDF |
| Languages: | English |
| Number of Patterns: | 1 |
| Skill Level: | Intermediate |
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