Raymi

Raymi Knitted Mittens by Louise Zass-Bangham

What is Being Made

Raymi is a pair of knitted ribbed mittens named after the Peruvian Sun God festival. These are portable, lightweight accessories designed as an easy project for intermediate knitters. The mittens are sized to fit hands measuring 18-21cm (7-8 inches) around the knuckles and are 18cm (7 inches) in length. The design stretches to fit easily and is adjustable for both petite and XL hand sizes. A single 100g skein of yarn is sufficient to knit two pairs of mittens, making them an economical and practical gift knit project.

Techniques Used

These mittens are worked in the round, a fundamental technique for creating seamless, tubular garments. This construction method is ideal for mittens as it eliminates the need for seaming and creates a smooth, professional finish. The pattern incorporates working stitches through the back loop in specified areas, which is noted as essential for achieving a good finished result. This technique creates a twisted stitch effect that adds texture and structure to the ribbed design. The adjustable fit is achieved through the stretch properties of the yarn and stitch pattern, allowing knitters to customize the mittens for different hand sizes without requiring multiple pattern sizes.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern featured in Raymi is ribbing, which creates vertical columns of texture that provide both aesthetic appeal and functional stretch. Ribbed stitches are created through alternating knit and purl stitches, and when worked in the round, they produce the characteristic raised vertical lines. The ribbed construction contributes to the mittens' ability to stretch and conform to different hand sizes while maintaining their shape during wear.

Materials

• Yarn: Fyberspates Vivacious 4ply in Sunshine (604), which is 100% superwash merino wool. Each 100g skein provides 365 meters or 399 yards of yarn. For knitting two pairs of mittens from one skein, allow approximately 37g of yarn per pair.
• Needles: 2.75mm (US 2) needles are required for this project, sized appropriately for 4-ply yarn weight to achieve proper gauge and fabric density.

Yarn Weight and Fiber Properties

The project uses 4-ply yarn, a lightweight fingering-weight yarn that creates fine, detailed fabric. Fyberspates Vivacious is a superwash merino wool, meaning it has been treated to be machine washable, making these mittens practical for regular wear and care. The merino fiber provides warmth, breathability, and natural elasticity, which enhances the stretch and recovery of the ribbed stitch pattern. The yarn's 365m per 100g yardage is typical for 4-ply weight, allowing for intricate stitch definition while remaining portable for vacation knitting projects.

Design Considerations

Raymi is described as an ideal vacation knitting project due to its portable nature and relatively quick completion time. The one-size-fits-most approach with adjustable stretch makes this pattern accessible for various hand sizes. The choice of color—Sunshine (604)—is highlighted as an option to brighten grey days, though the pattern accommodates muted shades for those preferring a more subtle aesthetic. The pattern emphasizes the importance of obtaining accurate yarn specifications and working stitches through the back loop where indicated to ensure the best finished appearance and fit.