Easy Twister

Easy Twister Fingerless Mittens by Dagmar Mora

What Is Being Made

Easy Twister is a pair of fingerless mittens designed for women's sizes. These mittens feature a creative spiral construction method that makes them accessible to intermediate knitters. The design uses two flat knitted strips that are sewn together in a spiral formation, creating a unique and visually interesting finished garment.

Construction Technique

The standout feature of Easy Twister is its innovative building method. Rather than working in the round on circular needles, this pattern has you knit two separate flat strips and then join them together by sewing them in a spiral. This approach simplifies the construction process and eliminates the need for working with multiple needles simultaneously, making it an excellent intermediate project. The spiral seaming technique creates an attractive visual effect while keeping the overall construction straightforward.

Knitting Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The pattern employs fundamental knitting stitches suitable for intermediate skill levels. The primary stitch structure uses stocking stitch, which creates a smooth, classic knit fabric. The pattern incorporates a repeating stitch pattern that measures 2.7cm x 1.7cm (1" x 1½") per repeat. Additional techniques include knit 1 front and back (k1fb) for increasing stitches, slip stitches worked knitwise, and basic knit and purl stitches. These foundational techniques combine to create the textured pattern repeat throughout the mittens.

Yarn and Materials

Easy Twister is worked in aran or worsted weight yarn, requiring a minimum of 52 meters (57 yards) of each of two contrasting colours. The sample shown in the pattern uses Rowan Pure Wool Aran in two shades: #678 Honey and #679 Ember. This two-colour approach creates visual interest through colour contrast in the spiral construction.

Tools and Needle Requirements

The pattern calls for 4mm / US 6 long or circular needles for knitting the flat strips. A tapestry needle is required for seaming the strips together in the spiral formation. The needle size provided is guidance only; achieving proper tension is recommended before beginning the project.

Tension and Sizing

Proper tension is essential for successful results. In stocking stitch, the pattern specifies 21 stitches per 10cm (4"). The pattern repeat tension should measure 2.7cm x 1.7cm (1" x 1½") per repeat. For smaller hands, the pattern suggests using a tighter tension or choosing a thinner yarn weight, which will narrow the strips and reduce the overall length of the finished mittens. Testing tension before beginning ensures the mittens will fit properly.

Sizing Options

Easy Twister is designed to be adjustable for different women's hand sizes. The flexibility in tension and yarn weight selection allows knitters to customize the fit. Choosing a tighter gauge or thinner yarn will produce narrower strips and shorter mittens, making the pattern suitable for various hand dimensions.