Rose hips

Rose Hips Mittens by Olga Beckmann

Project Overview

Rose Hips is a beginner-friendly knitted mitten pattern designed by independent designer Olga Beckmann. These mittens are crafted using the stranded colorwork technique and are sized to fit most adult and teen hands, measuring 4 inches (10 cm) wide and 10.2 inches (26 cm) long after wet-blocking.

Craft and Techniques

This pattern employs knitting as the primary craft method, utilizing stranded colorwork techniques to create the distinctive rose hip design. Stranded colorwork, also known as Fair Isle knitting, involves carrying two colors of yarn simultaneously across the fabric, creating intricate patterned designs by switching between the main color (MC) and contrasting color (CC) according to a chart. This technique produces a reversible fabric with floats on the inside, making it ideal for mittens that require both durability and visual interest.

Stitches and Construction

The mittens are worked in the round using double-pointed needles (DPNs), which allows for seamless construction. The pattern requires knitting at a gauge of 36 stitches and 38 rounds in stranded colorwork over 4 inches (10 cm) using US 1½ to 2.5 mm needles. Working in the round eliminates the need for seaming and creates a polished, professional finish typical of traditional mitten construction.

Yarn and Materials

Rose Hips calls for fingering weight or 4-ply yarn, a lightweight yarn suitable for creating fitted, detailed colorwork. The pattern requires:

• Main Color (MC): 230 yards (210 meters)
• Contrasting Color (CC): 115 yards (105 meters)

Additional notions include US 1½ to 2.5 mm double-pointed needles, a row counter for tracking progress, stitch markers to denote the beginning of rounds, a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, and a safety pin for holding stitches if needed during construction.

Skill Level

Rated as a beginner pattern, Rose Hips is accessible to knitters new to stranded colorwork, though familiarity with basic knitting techniques and working in the round is assumed. The pattern provides clear guidance to adjust needle size as necessary to achieve the correct gauge, ensuring a proper fit.