Peiskos Mitts

Peiskos Mitts by Alicia Plummer

What is Being Made

The Peiskos Mitts are a pair of knitted mittens designed to fit a palm circumference of 8 inches (20 cm). These are intermediate-level knitting projects that showcase colorwork techniques inspired by winter scenery, combining practical warmth with decorative patterning.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several key knitting techniques to create the finished mittens:

• Colorwork – The design incorporates stranded colorwork, requiring knitters to manage multiple yarn colors simultaneously while maintaining consistent tension
• Small Diameter Circular Knitting – The mittens are worked in the round using either double-pointed needles (DPNs) or the magic loop method on a long circular cable needle
• Stockinette Stitch – The primary stitch structure, creating a smooth, classic fabric base for the colorwork pattern
• Float Management – The pattern emphasizes keeping floats (the strands carried across the back of colorwork) loose to maintain proper tension and prevent puckering

Stitches and Stitch Details

The Peiskos Mitts are primarily constructed using stockinette stitch, which is worked in the round to create a seamless, smooth fabric. The colorwork pattern is achieved through stranded knitting techniques, where two colors are worked simultaneously to create the design motif. Knitters will need to manage yarn floats carefully throughout the pattern to ensure the finished mittens maintain proper fit and flexibility.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The pattern calls for MadelineTosh Tosh Chunky yarn, a merino wool blend that provides warmth and softness. Each skein contains 165 yards (151 meters) and weighs 115 grams. The recommended colors are Tart for the main color (MC) and Silver Fox for the contrast color (CC). Less than one skein of each color is required to complete the pair of mittens.

Needles required include US 9 (5.0 mm) and US 10 (5.5 mm) needles in your preferred format for small diameter knitting—either double-pointed needles or a long circular cable needle for the magic loop technique. Additional notions include 2 stitch markers, a cable needle, a stitch holder or scrap yarn for holding stitches, and a darning needle for weaving in ends.

Gauge and Sizing Information

The pattern is worked at a gauge of 16 stitches and 24 rounds over 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch. Achieving accurate gauge is essential for proper fit, and the designer recommends swatching before beginning the project. This intermediate-level pattern is sized to fit an 8-inch (20 cm) palm circumference.