Product Description
These mittens are knit in the round from the bottom up. The body of the mitten and thumb gusset are knit as one, with thumb stitches left on scrap yarn. Thumb stitches are then picked up and knit after the body of the mitten is finished. After the outer shell is knit, stitches are picked up from the inside edge of the I-cord cast-on and the lining is knit.
Use any plied wool yarn you can knit to the required gauge for the outer mittens. (We liked a lighter color for the MC and a darker version for the CC because it looks like dark shapes at night.) Fine luxury yarns that make great mitten linings seem to come and go. If you can’t find the required lining yarn, feel free to substitute any lace or fingering weight yarn that will be a treat for your hands. I like alpaca, mohair, and cashmere and blends.
Night Creatures Mittens by Adrian Bizilia
Project Overview
Night Creatures Mittens are a beginner-friendly knitting pattern designed to create a pair of cozy adult mittens in four size options: Small, Medium, Large, and Extra Large. This downloadable PDF pattern offers flexibility in construction methods and lining options, making it an accessible project for knitters new to mitten construction.
What Is Being Made
These are adult-sized mittens featuring actual measurements of 8.75" circumference and 9.75" length for size Small, scaling up to 10" circumference and 10.5" length for size Extra Large. The pattern accommodates both unlined and lined versions, with the lined option providing additional warmth and durability. Sizing guidance recommends choosing a size at least 1/2" larger than your hand's palm circumference for unlined mittens, or approximately 1" larger for lined versions to ensure comfortable fit.
Techniques and Construction Methods
The mittens are constructed using top-down knitting, a popular method for mittens that allows for easy customization and fitting. The pattern provides flexibility in how you work the pieces:
- Double-pointed needles (DPNs)
- Long circular needle using the magic loop method
- Two circular needles simultaneously
This flexibility allows knitters to choose their preferred technique based on comfort and experience level. The pattern includes a thumb gusset, a standard mitten construction element that creates shaping around the thumb area for a better fit. Knitters will use smooth waste yarn as a temporary holder for the thumb gusset stitches during construction.
Stitches and Stitch Techniques
While specific stitch abbreviations are not detailed in the provided content, the beginner difficulty rating indicates the pattern uses fundamental knitting stitches accessible to newer knitters. The construction involves working in the round, a core technique for mittens, combined with basic increases and decreases for shaping the thumb gusset and mitten cap.
Yarn and Materials
For Outer Mittens: The pattern calls for Cascade 220 Sport weight yarn. You will need 1 skein each of Main Color (MC) and Contrasting Color (CC), plus 20 yards of a third color (TC). Cascade 220 Sport is a 50-gram skein with 164 yards (150 meters) of yardage, providing a durable, traditional wool option for mitten construction.
For Lined Mittens: The pattern specifies Knit One Crochet Two Cria Lace yarn for the lining, requiring 1 skein of 100 grams with 522 yards (507 meters) of yardage. This lining yarn adds warmth and extends the life of the mittens.
The pattern notes that any plied wool yarn can be substituted if knit to the specified gauge, offering flexibility for yarn selection while maintaining proper fit and drape.
Needles and Notions
Needle sizes range from US Size 2 (2.75mm) for the smallest size to US Size 5 (3.75mm) for Extra Large, or the size needed to achieve the pattern's specified gauge. The pattern emphasizes that finished mitten size is determined by gauge and needle choice, making proper gauge swatching essential before beginning.
Additional notions required:
- Stitch marker for tracking rounds
- Smooth waste yarn for holding thumb gusset stitches
- Darning needle for weaving in ends and finishing
Yarn Weight and Fiber Content
Sport weight yarn is a lightweight to medium-weight option that creates mittens with excellent drape and breathability while still providing adequate warmth. The wool fiber content in both Cascade 220 Sport and Cria Lace yarns offers natural elasticity, durability, and temperature regulation, making these mittens suitable for various weather conditions and extended wear.
```Specifications
| Brand: | Independent Designer |
| Yarn Weight: | Sport |
| Pages: | 7 |
| Designer: | Adrian Bizilia |
| Craft: | Knitting |
| Format: | Downloadable PDF |
| Languages: | English |
| Notes: | Swiss darning is used to accentuate the eyes of the mouse, owl, and tree. |
| Number of Patterns: | 1 |
| Skill Level: | Beginner |
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