Braided Striped Mittens in Cascade 220 Superwash Sport - DK449 - Downloadable PDF

Braided Striped Mittens in Cascade 220 Superwash Sport

Project Overview

These Braided Striped Mittens are a knitted accessory designed by Ethel Weinberg using Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash Sport yarn. The mittens feature an easy to intermediate skill level, making them suitable for knitters with some experience. The finished mittens measure 10¼ inches from fingertip to cuff with a 6½ inch circumference around the palm.

What Is Being Made

The project creates a pair of warm, colorful mittens constructed through circular knitting. The mittens showcase a braided striped pattern that combines three coordinating colors: Silver Gray as the main color, Ruby as the first contrast color, and Jet as the second contrast color. These mittens are designed as a practical cold-weather accessory that combines functionality with decorative colorwork.

Yarn and Materials

This pattern uses Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash Sport, a sport weight yarn made from 100% Superwash Merino Wool. The yarn is durable and easy to care for due to its superwash treatment. The pattern requires:

• 1 skein of color #1946 (Silver Gray) for the main color
• 1 skein of color #893 (Ruby) for contrast color 1
• 1 skein of color #1913 (Jet) for contrast color 2

Each skein contains 50 grams (1.75 ounces) and provides 136 yards (125 meters) of yardage, offering sufficient material for completing both mittens.

Needles and Tools

The mittens are worked using double-pointed needles (DPNs) in two sizes. US 3 (3.25 mm) DPN knitting needles are used for ribbed sections and establishing the proper gauge, while US 5 (3.75 mm) DPN knitting needles are used for the main body of the mittens. Additional tools include a yarn needle for weaving in ends and 2 stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and construction points.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 22 stitches by 36 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in Stockinette stitch. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for ensuring the mittens fit properly and display the braided striped pattern at the intended scale.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

This intermediate knitting project employs several fundamental knitting techniques. The mittens are constructed using circular knitting with double-pointed needles, allowing for seamless construction in the round. This method is ideal for mittens as it eliminates the need for seaming and creates a smooth, professional finish.

The pattern utilizes Stockinette stitch as the primary stitch for the main body, creating a smooth, flat fabric with characteristic V-shaped columns. The braided striped effect is achieved through stranded colorwork, a technique where multiple yarn colors are carried across the back of the work to create the pattern on the front.

Key stitches and abbreviations used throughout the pattern include:

• K (Knit) – the basic knit stitch that forms the foundation of Stockinette stitch
• P (Purl) – the reverse of the knit stitch, used for ribbing sections
• K2tog (Knit 2 Together) – a right-leaning decrease that reduces stitch count
• SSK (Slip, Slip, Knit) – a left-leaning decrease used for shaping
• KFB (Knit into Front and Back) – an increase stitch that creates additional stitches
• PM (Place Marker) – marks specific points in the pattern for tracking rounds and pattern repeats

The braided striped pattern is created by strategically carrying and switching between the three yarn colors (main color, contrast color 1, and contrast color 2) to form the decorative design. This stranded colorwork technique requires careful tension management to ensure the carried yarns do not create loose loops or tight puckering.

Construction Method

The mittens are worked from the cuff upward in the round using the circular knitting method. The cuff typically begins