Birgit Mittens

Birgit Mittens by Tanja Osswald

What is Being Made

The Birgit Mittens are elegant winter accessories designed by Tanja Osswald. These mittens measure approximately 23 cm (9 inches) in length and 20 cm (8 inches) in circumference, making them a practical and stylish companion to any winter coat. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and is suitable for advanced crocheters.

Craft and Primary Technique

These mittens are worked entirely in Tunisian crochet, a hybrid technique that combines elements of crochet and knitting. Tunisian crochet creates a dense, fabric-like texture that is ideal for warm winter garments. The pattern requires familiarity with Tunisian crochet fundamentals before beginning, as the designer recommends reading the entire pattern and becoming accustomed to the stitches and techniques used beforehand.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns Used

The Birgit Mittens feature several key stitches and techniques:

• Tunisian Simple Stitch (TSS) – the foundational stitch for this project
• Tunisian Purl Stitch (TPS) – used to create textural variation
• Honeycomb Pattern – a squishy, dimensional stitch pattern that forms the primary fabric texture of the mittens
• Cable Stitches – including c3f (cable to front, skipping 3 stitches) and c3b (cable to back, skipping 3 stitches) – these add visual interest and decorative detail to the mittens
• Chain Stitches (ch) – used for foundational and shaping elements

Materials and Gauge

The Birgit Mittens are designed to be worked with DK weight yarn. The pattern calls for 65 grams of Wollmeise DK in the colorway Minze, though substitutions of similar weight yarns are possible. A 5 mm Tunisian crochet hook is required, along with one stitch marker for tracking pattern repeats and shaping.

The recommended gauge is approximately 21 stitches and 15 rows per 10 cm × 10 cm (4 in × 4 in) when working the honeycomb pattern. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit, particularly in mittens where circumference and length are critical measurements.

Pattern Details

This is a single-size pattern, with the finished mittens fitting an average adult hand. The combination of the honeycomb pattern and cable details creates both warmth and visual appeal. The pattern includes abbreviations for all stitches and techniques, and the designer recommends paying particular attention to row counting at the right selvedge, where a distinctive row of stitches forms that aids in tracking progress through the pattern.