Joule

Joule Mittens by MsYarn Designs

What Is Being Made

Joule is a downloadable knitting pattern for mittens designed by Dawn Hansen of MsYarn Designs. This project creates a pair of fitted mittens available in three sizes: small, medium, and large, with palm circumferences of 7.5", 8.25", and 9" respectively. The mittens feature colorwork patterning that showcases contrasting yarns in a structured, modern design.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

These mittens are constructed using the double-pointed needle method, a traditional technique for creating seamless, tubular garments in the round. This approach eliminates the need for seaming and creates a smooth, professional finish. The pattern employs colorwork knitting, a technique where two yarn colors are worked simultaneously to create patterned designs across the fabric surface. This intermediate-level project requires familiarity with working in the round and managing multiple colors while maintaining consistent tension.

The mittens are worked from the cuff upward in a continuous spiral, with shaping techniques incorporated to create a fitted palm and thumb opening. The colorwork pattern is worked at a specific gauge to ensure the design elements remain properly proportioned and visually balanced throughout the mittens.

Stitches and Abbreviations Used

The Joule pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined with colorwork techniques:

• Knit stitch (K) – the basic foundation stitch
• Make 1 (M) – an increase stitch created by picking up the bar between stitches and knitting into the back loop, adding one new stitch
• Knit 2 together (K2tog) – a right-leaning decrease that combines two stitches into one
• Slip, slip, knit (SSK) – a left-leaning decrease worked by slipping two stitches individually as if to knit, then slipping them back onto the left needle and knitting them together

The pattern also incorporates place marker (PM) instructions to help track pattern repeats and shaping sections throughout the mittens.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Joule mittens are designed to be worked in sport weight yarn, a lightweight yarn category that creates fabric with excellent drape and definition for colorwork patterns. The pattern calls for two distinct yarns:

• Main Color (MC) – Bare Superwash Merino, a premium yarn blend composed of 75% Superwash Merino Wool and 25% Nylon. This yarn is offered at 462 yards per 100 grams, with yardage requirements of 1 skein for all three sizes.
• Contrast Color (CC) – Felici Self Striping Sock Yarn, also a 75% Superwash Merino Wool and 25% Nylon blend. This yarn provides 218 yards per 50 grams, requiring 1 skein for sizes small and medium, and 2 skeins for size large.

The Superwash Merino Wool content provides softness, breathability, and natural temperature regulation, while the nylon addition increases durability and elasticity—essential properties for mittens that will experience regular wear and stretching. The self-striping characteristic of the contrast color yarn creates automatic pattern variation without requiring frequent color changes during knitting.

Tools and Notions Required

Beyond yarn, the pattern requires double-pointed needles (DPN) in US size 3 (3.25mm) for sizes small and medium, and US size 3.25mm for size large, with needle lengths of 7.5", 8.25", and 9" respectively to accommodate the increasing circumference. Additional notions include a stitch marker for tracking pattern placement, waste yarn for provisional cast-on or stitch holding, and a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends and finishing.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 26 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) when worked in the colorwork pattern. Achieving this gauge is critical for proper fit, as the mittens are sized by palm circumference rather than general sizing categories. The three available sizes accommodate a range of hand sizes, with the gauge ensuring that the colorwork design maintains its intended appearance and scale across all three options.