Eccentricity

Eccentricity Mittens by Laurie Beardsley

What is Being Made

Eccentricity is a pair of knitted mittens designed with an unconventional construction that creates intentionally off-axis shaping and slanted stripes. These are fingerless mitts available in two adult sizes: Medium (fitting 7" to 7.5" hand circumference) and Large (fitting 8" to 8.5" hand circumference). The design embraces asymmetry and non-conformity, making them a statement piece for knitters who appreciate creative, eccentric construction.

Techniques and Construction

The mittens are constructed using knitting in the round, a fundamental technique for creating seamless, tubular garments. The defining characteristic of this pattern is its deliberate departure from traditional circular mitt construction. Rather than knitting perfectly symmetrical rounds, the designer has tilted the shaping to create a slanted effect that causes the self-striping yarn to run at an angle rather than horizontally. This technique requires careful attention to stitch placement and shaping to achieve the intentional off-axis appearance. The construction demonstrates intermediate-level knitting skills, as it combines basic in-the-round knitting with custom shaping that produces the eccentric visual effect.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch structure is stockinette stitch, which is the foundation of these mittens. Stockinette stitch in the round creates the smooth, classic knit fabric that showcases the self-striping yarn pattern. The gauge is set at 32 stitches to 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch in the round, which is typical for fingering-weight yarn and ensures proper fit and fabric drape.

Materials and Yarn

Eccentricity is designed for fingering weight yarn, also known as 4-ply yarn, which is a fine weight suitable for detailed colorwork and fitted garments. The pattern calls for two yarn colors:

• Main Color (MC): Fingering weight yarn in a self-striping colorway. Adult Medium requires 140 yards (128 meters); Adult Large requires 180 yards (165 meters). Self-striping yarn automatically creates color variations as you knit, eliminating the need for manual color changes while still producing a multi-colored effect.
• Contrast Color (CC): Fingering weight yarn in a coordinating solid color. Adult Medium requires 50 yards (46 meters); Adult Large requires 70 yards (64 meters). The solid contrast color provides definition and complements the self-striping main color.

The sample mittens shown in the pattern were created using Brazen Stitchery Harmony Sock yarn, which is composed of 75% superwash merino wool and 25% nylon. This fiber blend offers durability, elasticity, and easy care—ideal properties for hand-wear items. The main color sample used a Halfie Skein with 230 yards per 50 grams, while the contrast color used a Heel/Toe Skein with 92 yards per 20 grams.

Tools Required

To complete Eccentricity mittens, knitters will need US 1.5 (2.5 mm) needles in their preferred style for knitting in the round—such as double-pointed needles, circular needles, or magic loop needles. The pattern also requires a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends and finishing, and three stitch markers to help track pattern repeats and shaping points throughout the construction.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty. While the basic techniques of knitting in the round and stockinette stitch are accessible to many knitters, the custom shaping required to create the off-axis, eccentric construction requires a solid understanding of how to increase and decrease stitches strategically and how shaping affects fabric geometry. Knitters should be comfortable reading pattern instructions and adjusting their technique to achieve intentional design elements.