Laced mitts

Laced Mitts by Anni Howard

What is Being Made

Laced mitts are fingerless hand coverings designed to fit small, medium, or large hands with palm widths of 16cm (6.25in), 18cm (7in), or 20cm (8in) respectively. These mitts feature decorative i-cord laces that are knitted separately and incorporated into the design, creating an elegant textured detail on the finished garment.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several key techniques. I-cord construction is used to create four separate decorative laces that are worked using the slip-stitch method on double-pointed needles, where stitches are repeatedly slipped back to the opposite end of the needle to form a continuous cord. The main mitt body is worked in the round using double-pointed needles, which allows for seamless construction. The pattern also incorporates stitch markers to track the beginning of each round and uses stitch holders and safety pins to secure stitches during construction.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch (st st) — the primary stitch used for the main fabric of the mitts, created by alternating knit and purl rows
• Knit stitches (k) — fundamental to both the i-cord laces and the mitt body
• Knit two together (k2tog) — a decrease stitch used to shape the i-cord laces
• Slip stitch (sl) — used in i-cord technique to create the characteristic cord texture

Materials

The mitts are knitted using Artesano Superwash Merino DK, a 100% machine-washable wool yarn in shade 7254. This yarn weight is classified as DK (double knitting) and features a yardage of 112 meters per 50-gram ball. Depending on the size selected, 1 to 2 balls of yarn are required to complete the project. Needles required include two 3.25mm (US7) double-pointed needles for casting on and working the i-cord laces, and a set of four 4mm (US6) double-pointed needles for working the main mitt body. The tension is established at 22 stitches and 30 rows over 10 centimeters (4 inches) in stockinette stitch using the 4mm needles.