Ussuri Tiger

Ussuri Tiger Mittens by Kulabra Designs

Project Overview

Ussuri Tiger Mittens is an intermediate-level knitting pattern designed by Natalia Moreva for Kulabra Designs. This downloadable PDF pattern features a pair of mittens showcasing stranded colorwork knitting techniques with a distinctive tiger-inspired design. The mittens are worked in the round using circular needles, making them an excellent project for knitters looking to develop their colorwork skills.

What Is Being Made

These mittens are constructed as a complete pair with fitted shaping and a functional thumb opening. The design measures 26 x 9.7 cm and is sized to fit average adult hands. The mittens feature a classic mitten construction with ribbed cuff, patterned body, and a separately worked thumb, all created using stranded colorwork techniques.

Techniques Used

• Stranded colorwork knitting: The primary technique used throughout the mitten body, where two colors of yarn are carried across the back of the work to create the tiger pattern as indicated on the provided charts
• Knitting in the round: The mittens are worked circularly from the cuff upward, eliminating the need for seaming
• Ribbed cuff: A 1x1 rib stitch creates an elastic, fitted opening that keeps the mittens secure on the wrist
• Thumb gusset shaping: Stitches are strategically placed on a stitch holder to create a functional thumb opening, with new stitches cast on to maintain the mitten body
• Embroidery finishing: Additional embroidery work is incorporated for fine details and design enhancement

Stitches Used

• 1x1 Ribbing: Alternating knit and purl stitches create the textured cuff (worked for 3-4 cm)
• Stockinette stitch: The primary base stitch for the mitten body, providing a smooth surface for the stranded colorwork pattern
• Stranded colorwork stitches: Knit stitches worked with two colors held simultaneously, following the charted tiger design pattern

Materials and Tools

The Ussuri Tiger Mittens pattern calls for 75 grams of fingering weight yarn in total, distributed between two colors to create the stranded colorwork design. Knitters will need circular needles in sizes US 0-2, with the specific size selected based on personal gauge and desired finished measurements. The pattern specifies a gauge of 36 stitches by 40 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch.

Additional materials required include scrap yarn or stitch holders for managing the thumb stitches during construction, a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and working embroidery details, and yarn suitable for embroidery work to complete the design elements.

Pattern Construction Details

The mittens begin with a cast-on of 64 stitches worked on circular needles. After joining in the round, knitters work a 1x1 ribbed cuff measuring 3-4 centimeters. Following the ribbing section, 4 stitches are increased evenly across the round to bring the total to 68 stitches, which provides the proper stitch count for the stranded colorwork pattern that follows.

The main mitten body is worked over 40 rounds following the provided stranded colorwork chart. On the 41st round, the thumb opening is created by placing 12 stitches onto a stitch holder or waste yarn at the position marked by a pink line on the chart, then casting on the same number of stitches over the gap to maintain continuity. The mitten body continues to be worked in stranded colorwork on the 68 stitches until the pattern is complete.

The thumb is subsequently worked from the held stitches, with the pink line on the mitten chart indicating the exact placement and dimensions of the thumb opening. This construction method ensures a well-fitted thumb that aligns properly with the mitten body.