The March Hare

The March Hare Mittens by Liz Hewson

Project Overview

The March Hare is a pair of knitted mittens designed by Liz Hewson as an intermediate-level knitting project. These mittens are crafted using 4-ply yarn in a colorwork technique, combining a main color and contrasting color to create a patterned design. The finished mittens fit an average adult hand and measure 10.5 inches (26.7 cm) from the bottom of the cuff to the tip of the fingers, with a width of 4.25 inches (10.8 cm) when unstretched.

Materials Required

This project uses Knit Picks Palette yarn in 4-ply weight, with one ball each of two colors:

• Main Color (MC): Cornmeal (24252)
• Contrasting Color (CC): Navy (24001)

Additional materials include US 2 (2.75mm) needles, a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, and small stitch holders for managing stitches during construction.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 34 stitches and 35 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in colorwork using the tapestry needle technique. One size is provided, designed to fit an average adult hand.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The March Hare mittens employ several intermediate knitting techniques:

• Kihnu Troi Cast On: The mittens begin with a Kihnu Troi cast on method, creating 60 stitches that are joined in the round for seamless construction.
• Colorwork: The design features tapestry needle colorwork, a technique where two colors are carried and worked together to create a patterned fabric. This method is worked flat within the round and creates a dense, durable fabric ideal for mittens.
• Circular Knitting: The mittens are worked in the round using two needles, with stitches divided between front and back needles at different stages of construction.
• Stitch Division: The pattern requires strategic stitch division for shaping. The cuff is divided with 30 stitches on the front needle and 30 stitches on the back needle. The mitten body is then reshaped with 33 stitches on the front needle and 27 stitches on the back needle for the left mitten, with adjustments for the right mitten.

Pattern Structure

The mittens are constructed in distinct sections:

• Cuff: The cuff is worked using a chart pattern that is repeated twice around the circumference, creating a coordinated design on both the front and back of the cuff.
• Mitten Body: Separate charts are provided for the left and right mittens, allowing for proper shaping and pattern placement on each hand.

This intermediate project combines colorwork expertise with circular knitting skills, making it suitable for knitters with some experience who are ready to tackle patterned mittens.