Scandes Mittens

Scandes Mittens by Adrian Bizilia

What is Being Made

The Scandes Mittens are a pair of stranded colorwork mittens inspired by modern Scandinavian design, peaks, and valleys. Named after the beautiful Scandinavian mountain range, these mittens combine aesthetic appeal with practical warmth. They are available in three sizes with actual measurements of 8.25" (21cm), 9" (23cm), or 9.75" (25.5cm) circumference, and 10.5" (26.75cm), 11.5" (29.25cm), or 12.5" (31.75cm) in length respectively.

Techniques Used

The primary technique featured in the Scandes Mittens is stranded colorwork knitting, also known as fair isle knitting. This method involves carrying two colors per round throughout the pattern, creating the distinctive peaks and valleys design characteristic of Scandinavian textiles. While the stranded colorwork technique produces an impressive visual result, the pattern is designed to be accessible, making these mittens approachable for intermediate knitters despite their sophisticated appearance.

The stranded worsted weight construction creates a toasty, warm mitten suitable for cold weather wear. Knitters have flexibility in color selection—they can choose neutral tones with a pop of contrasting color for a classic look, or experiment with rainbow colorways for a bolder statement. The pattern also accommodates more subtle styling by using colors similar in value and tone if preferred.

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes stranded colorwork stitches worked in the round, with two colors per round creating the geometric peaks and valleys motif. The specific stitch details are managed through charted instructions, allowing knitters to follow the colorwork pattern systematically.

Materials

The Scandes Mittens are designed for worsted weight yarn. The pattern references Cascade 220 and similar smooth worsted weight wools as suitable yarn choices. These yarns are noted as popular and widely available, making it likely that knitters have leftover yardage from other projects to utilize. The pattern accommodates two colors throughout, making it an excellent project for using yarn scraps or coordinating complementary colors from a stash.

Knitters should measure around their palm, excluding the thumb and keeping the hand splayed as much as possible, then select the size that is just larger than their measurement for proper fit.