1150 Cheshire - Mittens Knitting Pattern for Men and Women in Valley Yarns Berkshire

1150 Cheshire Mittens Knitting Pattern by Julie Turjoman

Project Overview

The 1150 Cheshire mittens are a classic winter accessory designed by Julie Turjoman for Valley Yarns. These mittens feature an attractive cable twist pattern running up the back of the hand, making them a stylish choice suitable for both men and women. Crafted from Valley Yarns Berkshire yarn, these mittens provide dense, heat-retaining fabric that combines functionality with visual appeal for the coldest months of the year.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a pair of warm, fitted mittens available in three sizes: Small, Medium, and Large. The finished mittens feature hand circumferences of 7 inches (Small), 8 inches (Medium), and 9 inches (Large), accommodating a range of hand sizes for both men and women. The mittens showcase a distinctive cable pattern detail on the back of the hand, elevating them beyond basic winter wear.

Techniques Used

The 1150 Cheshire mittens are constructed using several key knitting techniques:

• Seamless, worked in the round: The mittens are knitted as a continuous tube without seams, creating a smooth, comfortable fit ideal for hand wear.
• Bottom-up construction: The pattern is worked from the cuff upward to the top of the mitten, allowing for easy adjustments and a traditional building approach.
• Cable work: A cable twist pattern adorns the back of the hand, adding visual interest and textural depth to the design.
• Magic Loop technique option: Knitters can choose to use double-pointed needles or the Magic Loop method with circular needles, offering flexibility in needle preference.

Stitches and Stitch Details

While the complete stitch breakdown is referenced in the full pattern, the 1150 Cheshire mittens employ cable stitches as the primary decorative element. The pattern uses standard knit and purl stitches to create the body of the mittens, with cable twists incorporated into the hand section. The gauge is 16 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch, which is essential for achieving proper fit and fabric density.

Materials and Yarn

The 1150 Cheshire mittens call for Valley Yarns Berkshire, a premium blend yarn composed of 85% Merino Wool and 15% Baby Alpaca. This fiber combination provides warmth, softness, and durability. The pattern requires 2 skeins of Valley Yarns Berkshire, with each skein weighing 100 grams and containing 141 yards. The sample mittens shown are knitted in color (30) Caribbean Blue, though the pattern can be adapted to other colorways available in the Berkshire line.

Needles and Tools

Knitters will need two sets of needles to complete the 1150 Cheshire mittens. The main needles are US size 9 (5.50 mm), used for the body of the mittens, while US size 7 (4.50 mm) needles are used for the ribbed cuff. Both needle sizes are available as double-pointed needles or as 40-inch circular needles for the Magic Loop technique, depending on the knitter's preference. Additional materials include stitch markers, locking stitch markers for holding stitches, waste yarn or a stitch holder for the thumb opening, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

Skill Level

The 1150 Cheshire mittens are rated as an Intermediate difficulty pattern, making them suitable for knitters with some experience. The cable work and seamless construction require familiarity with these techniques, though the pattern provides clear guidance for successful completion.