Pihta

Pihta Mittens by Eeva Kesäkuu

What is Being Made

Pihta mittens are a pair of colorwork mittens designed by Eeva Kesäkuu. These mittens feature a stranded knitting technique with a simple, memorable stitch pattern that makes them accessible for intermediate knitters. The mittens are available in three sizes—small, medium, and large—allowing for a customized fit.

Knitting Techniques Used

The primary technique used in Pihta mittens is stranded knitting, also known as colorwork knitting. This method involves carrying two colors of yarn across the back of the work while knitting with the active color on the front. The stitch pattern in Pihta mittens is deliberately designed to be simple and easy to memorize, featuring mostly one or two consecutive stitches in a single color. This thoughtful construction minimizes the effort required to maintain consistent yarn tension while working with multiple colors, making the project manageable for intermediate-level knitters.

The mittens are worked from the bottom up, beginning with the cuff and progressing toward the fingertips. This construction method allows knitters to try on the mittens as they work and adjust the length to their preference.

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes a pinstripe stitch pattern worked in stranded knitting. The specific stitch pattern is simple and repetitive, making it suitable for knitters developing colorwork skills. The pattern structure ensures that color changes occur frequently enough to prevent long floats on the back of the work, which helps maintain even tension and a professional appearance.

Yarn and Materials

Pihta mittens are designed to be worked with 4-ply weight yarn. The pattern provides yardage requirements for both main color and contrast color across all three sizes:

• Small size: Main color 168m/184yd (40g), contrast color 110m/119yd (26g)
• Medium size: Main color 189m/207yd (45g), contrast color 126m/138m (30g)
• Large size: Main color 210m/230yd (50g), contrast color 147m/161yd (35g)

The pattern recommends specific yarn options, including Dreaming Color Smooshy (411m/450yd per 113g) and Austermann Step (420m/459yd per 100g). The photographed sample mittens feature a red main color with white contrast color.

Needles and Tools

Knitters will need 2.5 mm (US 1½) needles or the appropriate size to achieve the required gauge. A larger size, 3.5 mm (US 4) needles, is used for casting on to create a more elastic edge. The pattern accommodates knitter preference by allowing the use of either circular needles or double-pointed needles.

Additional supplies include a piece of scrap yarn at least 15cm (6in) long and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

Gauge

The required gauge is 39 stitches and 36 rows per 10cm (4 inches) when working stranded knitting in the pinstripe pattern without blocking. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit, particularly in mittens where sizing is critical for comfort and function.