Go to Wristers

Go to Wristers by Lena Strandberg

What is Being Made

Go to Wristers are fingerless mittens designed by Lena Strandberg as versatile accessories suitable for wear from early fall through late spring. These wristers are intended for both indoor and outdoor use, and are styled to peek out from under the sleeves of dresses, cardigans, and jackets. Available in three sizes—S, M, and L—with unstretched circumferences of approximately 7.5 inches (19 cm), 8.25 inches (21 cm), and 9 inches (23 cm) respectively.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

This knitting project employs fundamental techniques suitable for beginner-level knitters. The primary construction method uses stockinette stitch as the base fabric, creating a smooth, classic texture. The pattern incorporates yarn overs for decorative detailing and utilizes kitchener stitch for seamless finishing, a technique that grafts two sets of live stitches together for a polished edge.

The wristers are designed to be worked on either straight or circular needles, offering flexibility in the knitter's preferred working method. The finished pieces are joined using kitchener stitch, which requires a tapestry needle and creates an invisible seam.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch: The primary stitch throughout the project, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side, producing the characteristic smooth fabric
• Yarn overs: Used for decorative elements and texture variation
• Knit through the back loop (ktbl): A variation that twists stitches for textural interest
• Kitchener stitch: The grafting technique used to seamlessly join the final edges

Materials and Yarn Specifications

Go to Wristers requires two colors of yarn: a main color (MC) and a contrasting color (CC). Each color requires 20 grams, approximately 80 to 90 yards of fingering weight yarn. The sample shown was knitted using Wollmeise pure yarn for one color and Zazu yarns sock for the other, demonstrating the versatility of yarn selection within the fingering weight category.

Needles should be size 2.5 US (or the size needed to achieve the specified gauge) in either straight or circular configuration. A tapestry needle is essential for completing the kitcherer stitch seaming.

Gauge and Sizing

The stitch gauge is 8 stitches over 2.5 cm (1 inch) in stockinette stitch, with a row gauge of 11.5 rows over 2.5 cm (1 inch). Achieving proper gauge is critical for ensuring the wristers fit correctly at the specified circumferences.