Au Contraire

Au Contraire Fingerless Mitts by Melanie Berg

What Is Being Made

Au Contraire is a pair of fingerless mitts designed by Melanie Berg. These romantic, eye-catching mitts feature a decorative flower motif on the back and are worked in the round from the bottom up. The finished mitts measure approximately 32 centimeters in length, making them a quick and satisfying knitting project suitable for advanced beginners and intermediate knitters.

Knitting Techniques

The Au Contraire mitts are knitted in the round using a bottom-up construction method. The pattern offers flexibility in how you incorporate the floral design: you can apply the flower motif using duplicate stitch after the main knitting is complete, or alternatively, you can choose to work the motif directly while knitting. This dual-method approach allows knitters to select the technique that best suits their skill level and preferences.

Stitches and Stitch Abbreviations

The pattern uses fundamental knitting stitches and shaping techniques, including:

• k (knit) – the basic knit stitch
• k2tog (knit 2 stitches together) – a right-leaning decrease used for shaping
• M1L (make 1 left) – an increase worked by inserting the left-hand needle from front to back under the horizontal strand between the stitch just worked and the next stitch, then knitting the lifted strand through the back loop

These stitches form the foundation for creating the fitted shape and decorative elements of the fingerless mitts.

Materials

The Au Contraire mitts are designed to be knitted with sport weight yarn. The pattern calls for Zitron Lifestyle, a yarn composed of 100% Merino fiber. You will need:

• 1 ball in color A (dark brown) – 50g / 169 yards
• 1 ball in color B (sand) – 50g / 169 yards
• US 4 [3.5mm] double pointed needles for working in the round

The total yardage required is approximately 155 meters. The sport weight yarn and Merino fiber content provide a soft, breathable fabric ideal for fingerless mitts that offer both warmth and dexterity.

Project Summary

Au Contraire is a well-suited project for advanced beginners and intermediate knitters seeking a quick, rewarding make. The combination of straightforward in-the-round knitting with the optional decorative duplicate stitch work creates an engaging pattern that balances simplicity with visual interest. Whether you choose to apply the flower motif after knitting or incorporate it during construction, these fingerless mitts deliver a romantic, eye-catching accessory in just one or two knitting sessions.