Seafoam mitts

Seafoam Mitts by Anneknitty

What is Being Made

The Seafoam Mitts are a pair of knitted hand coverings designed by Annette Traves. These mitts measure 24cm long by 8.5cm wide when finished, making them a practical accessory for keeping hands warm. The pattern is described as simple and quick to complete, suitable for gift-giving or personal projects, and serves as an excellent introduction to working with colour in knitting.

Craft and Techniques

This is a knitting project classified as beginner level difficulty, making it accessible to knitters new to colourwork techniques. The pattern features an easy slip stitch colourwork section that introduces colour work in a straightforward manner. The key technique advantage of this design is that you work with only one colour per row, eliminating the need for stranding colours—a common challenge for beginners attempting colourwork. This simplified approach allows new knitters to build confidence with colour techniques before progressing to more complex methods.

Stitches and Pattern Elements

The pattern uses fundamental knitting stitches and abbreviations including:

• K - knit stitch
• P - purl stitch
• Sl - slip stitch (used in the colourwork sections)
• Tbl - through the back loop
• Wyib - with yarn in back
• St/sts - stitch/stitches
• Rnd - round

The slip stitch colourwork technique is the signature element of this pattern, creating visual interest through colour changes while maintaining simplicity in execution.

Materials and Yarn

The Seafoam Mitts are designed using aran weight yarn. The pattern calls for:

• Main Colour (MC): 1 skein of The Croft (100g/166m) by West Yorkshire Spinners in shade Seafield 339
• Contrast Colour (CC): A small amount of The Croft (100g/166m) by West Yorkshire Spinners in shade Stonybreck 759

The Croft is a traditional British yarn known for its quality and range of colours. The seafoam and stonybreck shades create a natural, coastal-inspired colour palette.

Needles and Tools

This pattern offers flexibility in needle choice for knitting in the round:

• 5mm long circular needles using the Magic Loop technique, or
• 5mm double-pointed needles (dpns)

The Magic Loop technique allows knitters to work small circumference projects like mitts using a single long circular needle, while the dpn option provides a traditional approach to small circular knitting.

Tension and Sizing

The pattern specifies a tension of 18 stitches by 24 rows to 10cm (measured over stockinette stitch). Achieving the correct tension is essential for the finished mitts to reach the intended dimensions of 24cm long by 8.5cm wide, ensuring proper fit and comfort.