Inverse Mitts

Inverse Mitts by Keya Kuhn

Project Overview

Inverse Mitts is an intermediate-level knitting pattern for a pair of colorwork gloves designed by Keya Kuhn. This downloadable PDF pattern creates fitted mitts with a finished circumference of 8 or 9 inches and a length of 7 to 7.5 inches, making them suitable for a range of hand sizes. The design features color work patterning that creates visual interest through the combination of a main color and contrasting color yarn.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a pair of knitted mitts—hand coverings that are fitted around the hand and wrist. The mitts are constructed using the in-the-round knitting method, which creates seamless, tubular fabric ideal for glove and mitten construction. Two size options are provided to accommodate different hand circumferences.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Inverse Mitts pattern employs several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques:

• In-the-round knitting: The mitts are worked circularly using either a 24-inch circular needle with the Magic Loop method or double-pointed needles (DPNs), creating seamless construction.
• Color work: The pattern incorporates two-color knitting, combining a main color with a contrasting color to create a patterned fabric.
• Increases and decreases: The pattern uses Make 1 (M1) increases and Slip, Slip, Knit (SSK) decreases to shape the mitts and adjust stitch counts as needed.
• Stitch markers: Markers are used to denote pattern repeats and the beginning of rounds, with optional locking or sliding markers recommended for ease of use.

Stitches Used

The Inverse Mitts pattern utilizes basic knit and purl stitches as the foundation for the colorwork design. The primary stitches include:

• Knit (K): The fundamental stitch used throughout the pattern.
• Purl (P): Used to create texture and pattern variation.
• Make 1 (M1): An increase stitch worked by picking up the strand between stitches from front to back and knitting through the back loop, adding one stitch to the fabric.
• Slip, Slip, Knit (SSK): A left-leaning decrease worked by slipping two stitches knit-wise one at a time, then knitting the two slipped stitches together through the back loop.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Inverse Mitts pattern is designed for sport weight yarn, a lightweight yarn category that creates fabric with excellent stitch definition, making it ideal for colorwork projects. The pattern recommends Cedar Hill Farm Company Sporty Sheep yarn, which provides 167 yards per 50-gram skein.

Yarn requirements by color:

• Main Color (MC): Blue Fairy—95 to 120 yards
• Contrast Color (CC): Natural—40 to 50 yards

The recommended gauge for this pattern is 32 stitches and 36 rounds over 4 inches (10 centimeters) when working the color work pattern. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit, particularly in fitted garments like gloves and mitts.

Needles and Notions

The pattern calls for US 2 (2.75 mm) circular needles or double-pointed needles. A 24-inch circular needle is specifically recommended for those using the Magic Loop method, a technique that allows knitters to work small circumferences in the round using a single long circular needle. Additional notions required include a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends and waste yarn for holding stitches. Locking or sliding markers are optional but helpful for tracking pattern repeats and round beginnings.

Pattern Sizing

Two finished sizes are provided:

• Size 1: 8-inch circumference, 7-inch length
• Size 2: 9-inch circumference, 7.5-inch length

These measurements ensure a close, comfortable fit appropriate for hand coverings. The intermediate difficulty level indicates that knitters should be comfortable with