Sorted stripes

Sorted Stripes Crochet Mittens by Tanja Osswald

What Is Being Made

Sorted Stripes is a downloadable crochet pattern for a pair of mittens designed by Tanja Osswald. These mittens are approximately 19 cm (7.5 inches) long when unworn, with a finished width of 5.5 cm (2.2 inches) when folded flat. The mittens feature an unusual cable pattern that decorates the back of the hand, creating visual interest and texture. The design is suitable for intermediate-level crocheters and can be customized by adjusting the width to achieve different amounts of negative ease.

Crochet Techniques Used

The primary technique featured in this pattern is the use of back loop only slip stitches, which creates the distinctive cable-like appearance on the back of the hand. This technique involves working slip stitches through only the back loop of each stitch rather than through both loops, producing a textured, dimensional effect. The pattern relies on this specialized stitch work to achieve its unique visual character. The mittens are worked in the round and require seaming with a darning needle to finish.

Stitches and Stitch Details

The primary stitch used throughout Sorted Stripes is the slip stitch worked through the back loop only. This stitch creates the cable pattern that distinguishes the design. The gauge for this pattern is approximately 24 stitches over 10 cm (4 inches) when using back loop only slip stitches. Due to the inherent stretchiness of this stitch technique, the height gauge is difficult to determine precisely, which is important to note when working the pattern.

Materials and Yarn Requirements

Sorted Stripes requires approximately 40 grams of yarn total, worked in two coordinating colorways:

• Approximately 20 grams of Hedgehog Fibers Sock yarn in the colorway "cinder" (70 meters / 77 yards)
• Approximately 20 grams of Hedgehog Fibers Sock yarn in the colorway "graphite" (70 meters / 77 yards)

A 3.5 mm crochet hook is required for this project. A darning needle is needed for seaming the mittens together after the main crochet work is complete. The use of fingering-weight sock yarn provides the appropriate drape and stretch for a comfortable, wearable mitten.

Pattern Notes

The mittens are designed with approximately 5 cm (2 inches) of negative ease in the model, meaning they fit snugly on the hand. Width can be adjusted to achieve different levels of ease according to personal preference. The pattern has been tested and proofread by multiple contributors, including Bethan, Tina, starlitnight, and Waltraud. This is an independent designer pattern copyrighted by Tanja Osswald in 2014.