Fairy Lights Mittens

Fairy Lights Mittens by Anna Johanna

Project Overview

Fairy Lights Mittens is a downloadable knitting pattern designed by Anna Johanna for creating a pair of medium-sized mittens inspired by the enchanting glow of winter garden fairy lights. This intermediate-level project combines colorwork techniques with classic mitten construction to produce festive, wearable accessories.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces a pair of mittens in one medium size. The finished mittens measure 9.5 inches (24 cm) in height and 7.75 inches (19 cm) in circumference, making them suitable for average adult hands. The design features decorative colorwork that evokes the appearance of twinkling fairy lights, with the pattern worked in the round using double-pointed needles.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

These mittens are constructed using circular knitting in the round, which creates seamless fabric and is the traditional method for mitten construction. The pattern employs colorwork knitting, a technique where multiple yarn colors are carried and worked simultaneously to create patterned designs. This colorwork section is worked at a specific gauge to ensure proper stitch definition and pattern clarity. The mittens are finished with blocking to achieve the exact finished measurements and to even out the colorwork stitches.

Stitches and Stitch Details

The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches and shaping techniques appropriate for mittens. Abbreviations referenced in the pattern include m1 left leaning (a left-leaning increase made by picking up yarn from the base of stitches), along with standard knitting abbreviations for stitch counts and rounds. The colorwork section is worked at a gauge of 13 stitches by 19 rounds over a 2-inch by 2-inch (5 cm by 5 cm) square, which is typical for sport-weight yarn colorwork.

Materials Required

Yarn: The pattern calls for Walcot Yarns Opus, a blend of 70% merino wool and 30% alpaca fiber. This yarn weight is sport weight, which is ideal for mittens as it creates fabric with good drape and warmth without excessive bulk. The color scheme shown in the pattern features:

• Grey as the main color (MC): 1 full skein, requiring 148 yards (135 meters)
• Goldenrod as contrast color 1 (CC1): 1 mini-skein, requiring 16 yards (15 meters)
• Greenery as contrast color 2 (CC2): 1 mini-skein, requiring 42 yards (40 meters)

Needles and Tools: The pattern requires two sets of US 2½ (3.0 mm) double-pointed needles (dpns) for working the mittens in the round. Knitters are advised to adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge. Additional supplies include one stitch marker for tracking rounds, a crochet hook for finishing, scrap yarn for holding stitches, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

Pattern Support and Format

This pattern is provided as a downloadable PDF for personal, non-commercial use only. Pattern support is available through Ravelry by contacting NeulistiMNK via private message or by email at neulisti.mnk@gmail.com. The pattern is copyrighted by Anna Johanna as of 2018.