Bay of Biscay

Bay of Biscay Knitted Mittens by Arella Seaton Design

Project Overview

Bay of Biscay is a beginner-friendly knitting pattern designed for creating a pair of fitted mittens inspired by the experience of crossing the Bay of Biscay by ferry. This project is ideal for knitters looking to use leftover sock yarn and create a finished project with an easily memorable stitch pattern. The mittens feature a sophisticated design that combines practical construction with decorative stitch work, making them suitable for both new and experienced knitters seeking an accessible project.

What is Being Made

This pattern produces a pair of knitted mittens worked in the round. The design includes separate instructions for right-hand and left-hand mittens, as well as detailed thumb construction. Three different sizes are provided to accommodate various hand dimensions, ensuring a customized fit for different wearers.

Construction Techniques

• Circular knitting: The mittens are worked in the round, creating seamless construction
• Gusset shaping: A gusset is incorporated to provide improved fit and comfort around the hand
• Jogless stripes technique: Knitters are instructed to familiarize themselves with the jogless stripes method to achieve uniform color transitions and avoid the characteristic jog that appears when changing colors in circular knitting
• Ribbed cuff: A ribbed pattern on the top of the hand ensures the mittens stay securely in place

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

• Eyelet Mock Cable Rib pattern: The primary decorative stitch pattern featured throughout the mittens
• Slipped stitches: Used strategically within the Eyelet Mock Cable Rib pattern to create a visual impression of ripple waves, adding texture and visual interest that references the sea theme
• Pattern documentation: The stitch pattern is provided in both charted format and written instructions, allowing knitters to choose their preferred method of following the pattern

Materials and Yarn Requirements

The pattern calls for 4-ply yarn weight, specifically fingering weight sock yarn. The designer recommends using natural fiber yarns such as merino, alpaca, or lamb's wool, as these fibers maintain their shape better over time and with wear. The sample mittens were knitted using grey hand-dyed fingering weight sock yarn at 104.0 meters per 113.7 yards, weighing 26 grams or 0.92 ounces. Cascade yarn was also used in the sample, indicating compatibility with quality commercial sock yarn brands. Leftover sock yarn is explicitly encouraged, making this an excellent stash-busting project for knitters with yarn remnants.

Skill Level

Rated as a beginner project, Bay of Biscay is accessible to knitters new to mittens and colorwork. The easily memorable stitch pattern and clear instructions support knitters in completing the project successfully while developing their circular knitting and colorwork techniques.