Ocean Mittens in Rowan Pure Cashmere - Downloadable PDF

Ocean Mittens in Rowan Pure Cashmere

What is Being Made

The Ocean Mittens are a pair of knitted mittens designed by Quails Studio. This downloadable PDF pattern provides complete instructions for creating warm, fitted mittens using premium cashmere yarn. The mittens feature a structured thumb gusset construction and are worked using both flat and circular knitting techniques to achieve a polished, professional finish.

Skill Level and Suitability

These mittens are rated at advanced beginner level, making them suitable for knitters who have mastered basic techniques and are ready to tackle more complex shaping and construction methods. The pattern requires understanding of increases, decreases, and the transition between flat and circular knitting, providing an excellent intermediate project for skill development.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Ocean Mittens employ several essential knitting techniques:

• Thumb gusset construction: The pattern uses a picked-up stitch method to create the thumb opening, with strategic increases and decreases to shape the gusset seamlessly into the main mitten body
• Flat knitting: Initial sections are worked flat on straight needles, allowing for controlled shaping
• Circular knitting: The pattern transitions to double-pointed needles (dpns) for working in the round, a technique that eliminates seams in the body of the mittens
• Decreasing techniques: Multiple decrease methods including knit two together (K2tog) and purl two together (P2tog) are used to shape the thumb and close the mitten crown
• Seaming: The thumb seam is sewn closed after the thumb is completed, creating a neat, finished edge

Stitches Used

The Ocean Mittens are primarily constructed using stockinette stitch (st st), which creates a smooth, classic fabric ideal for displaying the luxurious qualities of cashmere yarn. Stockinette stitch is formed by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side when working flat, and knit rounds when working in the round. This fundamental stitch provides excellent drape and a refined appearance suitable for a premium yarn like Rowan Pure Cashmere.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

Yarn: The mittens are knitted using Rowan Pure Cashmere, a luxury yarn available in 50-gram balls. The pattern is photographed in the colorway Chalk 094, a neutral shade that showcases the softness and sheen of pure cashmere fiber. The yarn is worked double (held together as two strands) to achieve the correct fabric density and warmth.

Yarn Weight: DK (double knitting) weight yarn is used, which provides a lightweight yet warm fabric ideal for mittens that will not add excessive bulk inside winter coats or gloves.

Needles: The pattern requires two needle types. Straight needles in 4.5mm (US 7) size are used for the flat-knitted sections of the pattern. A set of four double-pointed needles (dpns) in the same 4.5mm (US 7) size are used for the circular knitting sections, enabling seamless construction of the mitten body and thumb.

Tension and Gauge

The pattern specifies a tension of 19 stitches and 28 rows or rounds to 10 centimeters measured over stockinette stitch using 4.5mm needles with yarn held double. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for mittens to fit properly and provide appropriate warmth and structure.

Pattern Construction Overview

The mittens are constructed with a thumb gusset that is picked up and knitted after the main mitten body is partially complete. The thumb is worked to a length of 8 centimeters from its base before being closed with strategic decreases. The mitten crown is shaped using repeated knit two together decreases worked across rounds until only 4 stitches remain, which are then secured and sewn closed for a finished appearance.