Pull Mitts

Pull Mitts by Jenise Reid

What is Being Made

Pull Mitts are fingerless mittens designed by Jenise Reid, offering a practical and stylish accessory for those seeking hand warmth without full finger coverage. These mitts are sized to accommodate ladies shoe sizes 4-6 (small), 7-8 (medium), and 9-11 (large), with finished wrist circumferences ranging from 6.5 to 7.5 inches depending on size selection.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several essential techniques to create a well-fitted, seamless garment. The mitts are constructed knitting in the round, a fundamental technique for creating tubular pieces without seams. The pattern incorporates increasing and decreasing to shape the hand and thumb areas, ensuring proper fit across the wrist, palm, and finger length. Additional techniques include holding stitches to temporarily set aside stitches during construction, picking up stitches to create the thumb opening, and grafting to join sections seamlessly. Color changes are integrated into the design, allowing crafters to work with a main color and contrasting color to create visual interest.

Stitches Used

The Pull Mitts pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches to create texture and structure. Stockinette stitch serves as the primary stitch pattern, providing a smooth, classic fabric base. The pattern also incorporates knit and purl stitches in various combinations to achieve the desired fabric appearance and shaping.

Materials and Specifications

The recommended yarn for this project is Knit Picks Swish DK, a 100% superwash wool yarn that offers durability and easy care. The yardage requirement is 123 yards per 50 grams, with a total of 2 balls of Dove Heather for the main color and 1 ball of Honey for the contrasting color. Knitters should use 3.5 mm (US size 4) needles, with options for either a 36-inch circular needle using the magic loop method or double-pointed needles. A yarn needle for weaving in ends completes the notions required.

Gauge and Finished Dimensions

The pattern specifies a gauge of 5 stitches and 8 rows to 1 inch in stockinette stitch when blocked, which is essential for achieving proper fit. Finished dimensions vary by size: the small size measures 6.5 inches around the wrist with 7 inches from wrist to fingertip and 4 inches from wrist to thumb tip; the medium size measures 7 inches around the wrist with 8 inches to fingertip and 4.5 inches to thumb tip; the large size measures 7.5 inches around the wrist with 9 inches to fingertip and 6 inches to thumb tip. Palm circumference ranges from 7.5 inches (small) to 9.5 inches (large).

Difficulty Level and Skills

Rated as an intermediate project, the Pull Mitts pattern requires knitters to have solid foundational skills. Essential competencies include proficiency in knitting in the round, executing increases and decreases, working knit and purl stitches, managing held stitches, picking up stitches from existing fabric, changing yarn colors mid-project, and grafting stitches together for seamless joins.