Apiary Fingerless Mitts

Apiary Fingerless Mitts by Corrine Walcher

What is Being Made

The Apiary Fingerless Mitts are a pair of hand-warming accessories designed without fingers, allowing full dexterity while keeping the hands and wrists warm. These mitts feature a distinctive pattern inspired by a beeswax honeycomb, reflecting the designer's connection to beekeeping. The finished mitts measure 5 inches unstretched around the cuff and hand area, with the ability to stretch up to 9 inches for comfortable fit adjustment. Matching coordinating pieces—a hat and cowl—are available as separate patterns to create a complete coordinated set.

Techniques and Construction Methods

The Apiary Fingerless Mitts are constructed using knitting in the round, a technique that creates seamless, tubular fabric ideal for fitted wearables. This method eliminates the need for seaming and provides consistent fabric quality throughout the piece. The pattern employs cable knitting techniques to create the beeswax comb visual effect, using cable crosses to manipulate stitches and generate textured, dimensional patterns. The mitts are worked from the cuff upward in a continuous spiral, maintaining the honeycomb motif throughout the hand section.

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined with decorative cable work:

• Knit (K) – the basic stitch forming the foundation of the fabric
• Purl (P) – used to create contrast and texture within the honeycomb pattern
• 1/1 Left Cable (LC) – slip one stitch to cable needle and hold in front, knit one, then knit one from cable needle, creating leftward-leaning cable crosses
• 1/1 Right Cable (RC) – slip one stitch to cable needle and hold in back, knit one, then knit one from cable needle, creating rightward-leaning cable crosses
• Knit Two Together (K2tog) – a decrease stitch for shaping
• Knit Front and Back (KFB) – an increase stitch for expanding stitch count where needed
• Slip Marker (SM) – a technique marker to track pattern repeats and round beginnings

Materials and Tools

The Apiary Fingerless Mitts are knit using sock weight yarn, specifically Marigoldjen Sock Weight in the sample, which is composed of 80% Superwash Merino and 20% nylon. This blend provides durability, elasticity, and easy care through machine washing. The yarn provides 400 yards per 100 grams, with the completed mitts requiring approximately 150 yards of yarn. Needles are US size 3 (3.25 mm), available in either a set of 5 double-pointed needles or a 16-inch circular needle, allowing knitters to choose their preferred method for working in the round. The pattern specifies a gauge of 19 stitches and 22 rows per 4 inches when worked in blocked stockinette stitch in the round, ensuring proper fit and drape.

Difficulty Level

Rated as intermediate, the Apiary Fingerless Mitts require solid foundational knitting skills and familiarity with working in the round. The cable techniques, while not overly complex, demand attention to stitch manipulation and pattern reading. Knitters should be comfortable with basic increases and decreases and able to manage multiple needles or work confidently with circular needles.