Feathered Mitts

Feathered Mitts by Sarah Ronchetti

Project Overview

Feathered Mitts are a pair of knitted mittens designed by Sarah Ronchetti. This intermediate-level knitting project creates fitted mittens available in three sizes to accommodate hand circumferences ranging from 6 to 9.5 inches. The mittens are constructed using the magic loop method on circular needles, making them an ideal project for knitters seeking to develop their circular knitting skills.

What Is Being Made

These are hand-fitted mittens designed to provide a snug, comfortable fit across a range of hand sizes. The pattern includes three distinct sizing options: Small (6–7 inches / 15–18 cm hand circumference), Medium (7–8 inches / 18–20 cm), and Large (8.5–9.5 inches / 21.5–24 cm). The mittens feature a feathered design element that distinguishes them from basic mitten patterns.

Techniques and Construction Methods

This knitting pattern employs the magic loop method for constructing the mittens on circular needles, though the designer notes that alternative circular knitting methods may be used. The pattern incorporates several intermediate-level knitting techniques:

• Lifted increases using RLI (right lifted increase) and LLI (left lifted increase) techniques, which create decorative increases by lifting stitches from previous rows
• Slip, slip, knit (ssk) decreases for shaping and creating structured decreases
• Stocking stitch as the primary fabric base
• Color work using main color (MC) and contrast color (CC) elements
• Marker placement for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points

Stitches Used

The Feathered Mitts pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined with intermediate shaping techniques:

• Knit stitch (k)
• Purl stitch (p)
• Cast on (Co)
• Slip marker (sm)
• Place marker (pm)
• Right lifted increase (RLI)
• Left lifted increase (LLI)
• Slip, slip, knit decrease (ssk)

These stitches combine to create the textured, feathered appearance characteristic of the design while maintaining structural integrity in the fitted mitten shape.

Materials and Yarn Requirements

The Feathered Mitts pattern calls for 3-ply weight yarn, which provides a lightweight yet durable fabric suitable for mittens. Yardage requirements vary by size:

• Small: 150 yards / 135 meters
• Medium: 160 yards / 145 meters
• Large: 170 yards / 155 meters

The pattern provides recommendations for specific yarn options. Vintage Purls Sock yarn offers 420 yards per 3.53 ounces (100 grams) per skein, while Malabrigo Sock provides 440 yards per 3.53 ounces (100 grams) per skein. Both are suitable 3-ply sock-weight options that work well for fitted mittens.

Tools and Needles

Construction requires two circular needles in different sizes to accommodate gauge adjustments and the magic loop method:

• 16-inch US #1.5 / 2.5mm circular needle
• 16-inch US #2 / 2.75mm circular needle
• Stitch markers for tracking pattern sections
• Waste yarn or stitch holder for holding stitches

Gauge

The pattern specifies a gauge of 32 stitches and 44 rows over 4 inches in stocking stitch. Achieving proper gauge is essential for ensuring the mittens fit correctly across all three size options. Knitters should swatch before beginning the project to verify their gauge matches the pattern specifications.

Difficulty Level

Rated as an intermediate project, the Feathered Mitts are suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle techniques such as lifted increases, circular needle construction