Birch Creek Fingerless Mitts & Hat in Cascade Yarns 128 Superwash - C299 - Downloadable PDF

Birch Creek Fingerless Mitts & Hat in Cascade Yarns 128 Superwash – Pattern Summary

The Birch Creek Fingerless Mitts & Hat is a coordinating knitted accessory set designed by Nikki Wagner and published by Cascade Yarns. This intermediate-level knitting pattern is available as a free downloadable PDF and includes instructions for both a pair of fingerless mitts and a matching hat, making it an ideal project for knitters looking to create a cohesive cold-weather accessories set. The design is worked in chunky weight yarn, meaning projects knit up quickly and satisfyingly even for those newer to the intermediate skill range.

About the Fingerless Mitts

The fingerless mitts are designed to fit a range of hand sizes, offered in three sizes: Small, Medium, and Large, with hand circumferences of 7¼ (7¾, 8¼) inches [18 (20, 21) cm]. The finished palm circumference measures 6¼ (6¾, 7¼) inches [16 (17, 18) cm], and the length from lower cuff to upper cuff is 6¾ (7¼, 7½) inches [17 (18, 19) cm]. The design incorporates 1 inch (2.5 cm) of negative ease, ensuring a snug, comfortable fit that stays in place during everyday wear.

Fingerless mitts of this style are worked in the round using double-pointed needles (DPNs), which allow for seamless tubular construction. The fingerless design leaves the fingers free for dexterity while keeping the hands and wrists warm — a practical choice for commuters, outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone who needs to use their hands while wearing handwear.

About the Hat

The matching hat is also sized in Small, Medium, and Large, with head circumferences of 21¼ (22½, 23¾) inches [54 (57, 60) cm]. The finished hat measures 19¼ (20½, 21¾) inches [49 (52, 55) cm] around and stands 8 (9, 9½) inches [20 (23, 24) cm] from brim to top. Like the mitts, the hat is designed with 2 inches (5 cm) of negative ease, giving it a close, flattering fit on the head without being overly tight.

Hats knitted in the round at chunky gauge are a classic project for intermediate knitters, combining ribbed brim construction with a body worked in stockinette or textured stitch patterns, and finished with crown decreases that shape the top of the hat. The use of both a 16-inch circular needle and double-pointed needles is typical for this style, as knitters transition from the circular needle to DPNs as the crown stitches decrease and the circumference becomes too small for the longer needle.

Techniques and Stitches

• Knitting in the round – both the mitts and hat are worked as seamless tubes using circular and double-pointed needles
• Ribbing – typically used for cuffs and hat brims to create stretch and a neat, finished edge
• Crown decreases – shaping the top of the hat through systematic decrease rounds
• Thumb gusset construction – a hallmark of well-fitted fingerless mitts, adding ease and shaping around the thumb
• Negative ease fitting – the pattern is intentionally sized smaller than the actual hand and head measurements for a close, comfortable fit

Materials

The pattern calls for Cascade Yarns® 128 Superwash, a 100% Superwash Merino Wool yarn that comes in 100 g (3.5 oz) skeins with approximately 128 yards (117 m) per skein. The recommended colorway shown is #232 Grape Compote. Knitters need 2 skeins to complete the full set in all three sizes. The Superwash treatment makes this yarn machine washable — a practical advantage for everyday accessories.

Two needle sizes are required: