Blossom of Snow Mittens

Blossom of Snow Mittens by Maria Montzka

What is Being Made

The Blossom of Snow Mittens are a pair of hand-knitted mittens featuring stranded colorwork design. These mittens are available in three sizes to fit hand circumferences of 7 inches (18 cm) for adult small, 7.75 inches (19.5 cm) for medium, and 8.5 inches (21.5 cm) for large. The mittens are designed to be worn with zero ease or slight positive ease, making them ideal for wearing with a liner underneath. The cuff and hand length can be adjusted based on individual preference, offering customization for different wearers.

Design and Colorwork

These mittens feature a timeless stranded colorwork motif that draws inspiration from the iconic Bohus knitting design tradition while incorporating a modern color palette. The design combines classic Scandinavian knitting aesthetics with contemporary color choices, creating mittens that blend heritage craftsmanship with current style sensibilities. The colorwork pattern makes these mittens an excellent project for knitters looking to explore color play and utilize yarn scraps from their stash.

Construction Techniques

The Blossom of Snow Mittens employ several key construction methods that simplify the building process while maintaining visual interest. The mittens feature a contrast color cast-on that creates a decorative edge in a different shade than the main mitten body. The thumbs are constructed using the afterthought thumb method, which involves knitting the main mitten first and then picking up stitches later to create the thumb opening. This approach allows knitters to focus on the colorwork pattern without interruption and provides flexibility in thumb placement and sizing.

Knitting Stitches and Abbreviations

The pattern uses fundamental knitting stitches appropriate for stranded colorwork construction. Key stitches and abbreviations include:

• k – knit stitch, the basic foundation stitch for creating the fabric
• p – purl stitch, used to create textural variation
• k2tog – knit two stitches together, a decrease technique for shaping
• * … * – repeat instructions between asterisks as many times as stated, used for pattern repeats in the colorwork sections

The stranded colorwork technique involves carrying two colors across the row while knitting, creating the intricate patterned design characteristic of Bohus-inspired mittens.

Materials and Tools

The Blossom of Snow Mittens are knitted using DK weight yarn, a medium-weight yarn that creates a fabric with good stitch definition ideal for displaying colorwork patterns. The pattern recommends using US 5 (3.75mm) and US 6 (4mm) needles for gauge control, with the smaller size potentially used for ribbed cuffs and the larger size for the main mitten body. Knitters can choose their preferred method for working in the round, including a 32-inch circular needle worked using the magic loop technique, double pointed needles, or any other preferred small circumference knitting method. The flexibility in needle choice accommodates different knitter preferences and available tools.

Skill Level

This pattern is rated as advanced difficulty, reflecting the stranded colorwork technique and the coordination required to manage two colors simultaneously. While the overall construction is described as simple, the colorwork element and the need to maintain even tension across color changes make this project suitable for experienced knitters who have mastered basic colorwork techniques.

Designer and Format

The Blossom of Snow Mittens are designed by Maria Montzka and published by Stitched in Sweden. This pattern is available as a downloadable PDF, allowing immediate access to the full pattern instructions for printing or digital reference while knitting.