Lonk Mittens in Rowan Moordale - Downloadable PDF

Lonk Mittens in Rowan Moordale – Pattern Summary

The Lonk Mittens is a knitted fingerless mitten pattern designed by Martin Storey and published by Rowan. This downloadable PDF pattern produces a pair of colorwork mittens worked in the round using double-pointed needles, featuring a shaped thumb gusset and a ribbed cuff and top border. The finished mittens measure 21.5 cm (8½ inches) in circumference, making them a neat, fitted accessory suitable for everyday wear.

Skill Level and Who This Pattern Is For

The Lonk Mittens pattern is rated advanced beginner, making it an excellent next step for knitters who are comfortable with basic knitting in the round and are ready to explore simple colorwork and thumb gusset shaping. The techniques involved are clearly structured, and the pattern guides knitters through each stage in a logical sequence.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a pair of fingerless mittens — sometimes also described as wrist warmers with a thumb opening. The design features stranded colorwork across the hand, a neatly ribbed cast-on edge and finishing border, and a classically shaped thumb gusset that is divided off and placed on a holder before the thumb stitches are cast on to bridge the gap. The result is a polished, structured mitten with a comfortable fit around the hand.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for Rowan Moordale, a DK weight yarn sold in 100g skeins. Three colorways are used to achieve the colorwork design:

• Yarn A – Beetroot 007: 1 skein
• Yarn B – Pea 021: 1 skein
• Yarn C – Feather 001: 1 skein

Because only one skein of each color is required, this is a relatively economical project and a great way to use up partial skeins of Rowan Moordale in coordinating shades.

Needles Required

Two sets of double-pointed needles are needed to complete this pattern:

• 3¼mm (UK No. 10 / US 3) double-pointed needles – used for the ribbed sections, including the cast-on edge and finishing border
• 4mm (UK No. 8 / US 6) double-pointed needles – used for the main body of the mitten, including the colorwork and thumb gusset sections

The use of two needle sizes is a classic technique in mitten knitting: the smaller needles create a tighter, more elastic rib, while the larger needles allow the colorwork fabric to achieve the correct drape and gauge.

Tension and Gauge

Achieving the correct tension is important for matching the stated finished size. The pattern specifies:

• 26 stitches and 27 rounds to 10 cm over patterned stocking stitch using 4mm (US 6) needles
• 23 stitches and 30 rounds to 10 cm over plain stocking stitch using 4mm (US 6) needles

Knitters are encouraged to swatch before beginning, as colorwork tends to pull in slightly compared to plain stocking stitch, which is reflected in the different stitch counts given for each fabric type.

Techniques and Stitches Used

Knitting in the Round

The mittens are worked entirely in the round on a set of 5 double-pointed needles, a traditional method for small circumference knitting. Working in the round means the right side of the fabric always faces the knitter, which is particularly helpful when working colorwork patterns.

Ribbing

The cast-on edge and the finishing border are both worked in rib stitch on the smaller 3¼mm needles. Ribbing creates a stretchy, form-fitting edge that helps the mitten stay in place on the wrist and provides a neat, professional finish.

Stranded Colorwork / Patterned Stocking Stitch

The body of the mitten is