Ivy Mitten Family in Valley Yarns Haydenville - Downloadable PDF

Ivy Mitten Family in Valley Yarns Haydenville – Knitting Pattern by Julie Turjoman

The Ivy Mitten Family is a knitted mitten pattern designed by Julie Turjoman and published by Valley Yarns in 2021 (pattern #1180). Sized to fit the whole family — from small children to adults — these cozy winter mittens feature a charming raised purl fir tree motif on the back of the hand, making them a festive and timeless cold-weather accessory. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and is rated Adventurous Beginner, making it an approachable project for knitters who have mastered the basics and are ready to tackle working in the round and simple textured stitch patterns.

Sizes and Finished Measurements

The Ivy Mitten pattern includes five sizes to accommodate a wide range of wearers:

• XS: Fits hand circumference 5½", hand length 4½"
• S: Fits hand circumference 6", hand length 5½"
• M: Fits hand circumference 7", hand length 6½"
• L: Fits hand circumference 8", hand length 7½"
• XL: Fits hand circumference 8½", hand length 8½"

Sizes XS, S, M, and L are shown in the pattern photography, giving knitters a clear visual reference across the size range.

What Is Being Made

These are classic winter mittens worked as a complete family set, intended to be gifted or kept as heirloom-quality accessories. Each mitten is knitted as a single piece from the cuff up to the top, with a thumb gusset worked into each hand for a comfortable, fitted shape. The back of the hand showcases a stylized fir tree motif created through a simple knit-and-purl pattern, giving the mittens a seasonal, decorative touch without requiring colorwork or complex techniques. The palm side is worked in smooth stockinette stitch, keeping the construction straightforward.

Techniques Used

The Ivy Mitten pattern employs several satisfying techniques that build useful skills for beginner and advancing knitters alike:

• Bottom-up construction: Mittens are worked from the cuff upward toward the fingertip, a traditional and intuitive approach that allows easy length adjustments as you go.
• Worked in the round: The mittens are knitted entirely in the round, producing a seamless tube with no seaming required. Knitters may use double-pointed needles (dpns) or a 40" circular needle with the Magic Loop method.
• Double hem with purl turning ridge: The cuff features a doubled hem — a polished finishing technique where the cast-on edge is folded inward and secured, creating a neat, extra-warm double-layered cuff. A purl turning ridge marks the fold line cleanly.
• Thumb gusset: Stitches are gradually increased to shape a gusset that accommodates the thumb, then placed on hold while the hand is completed. This technique produces a well-fitting, comfortable mitten.
• Long-Tail Cast-On: The pattern specifies the Long-Tail cast-on method for starting the cuff, which creates a neat, elastic edge well-suited to ribbed or hemmed cuffs.
• Knit/purl textured patterning: The fir tree motif on the back of the hand is achieved entirely through combinations of knit and purl stitches — no colorwork or cables required — making it accessible while still producing a visually striking result.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch – used throughout the palm and as the base fabric of the mitten
• Purl stitches – used to create the raised fir tree motif on the back of the hand, as well as the turning ridge of the double hem
• Increases – worked as part of the thumb gusset shaping

Yarn and Materials

The pattern is written specifically for