Buttermilk Channel Mitts

Buttermilk Channel Mitts by Studio Avenue Six

What is Being Made

The Buttermilk Channel Mitts are a pair of warm, textured mittens designed to showcase the qualities of a squishy worsted-weight yarn. These mitts feature a combination of interesting stitch patterns and practical ribbed palms that accommodate a wide range of hand sizes for comfortable, cozy wear. The design emphasizes texture and visual interest while maintaining wearability.

Craft and Techniques

This is a knitting project worked in the round using either double-pointed needles (DPNs) or a circular needle with the magic loop method. The construction includes gusset shaping to create a custom fit around the hand and thumb area. The pattern demonstrates intermediate-level knitting skills, requiring familiarity with in-the-round construction, increases, and stitch pattern work.

Stitches Used

The Buttermilk Channel Mitts employ several key stitches and techniques:

• Stockinette stitch – the foundation stitch used for gauge measurement and base fabric
• Ribbing – worked on the palms to provide stretch and accommodate various hand sizes
• Pattern stitch (ptn st) – a textured stitch created by working three stitches together, then working (knit 1, yarn over, knit 1) into the same three stitches, maintaining the total stitch count while creating visual texture and dimension
• Make 1 Left (m1l) – an invisible increase worked by inserting the left needle under the strand between stitches from the front and knitting into the back of the stitch
• Make 1 Right (m1r) – an invisible increase worked by inserting the left needle under the strand from the back and knitting into the front of the stitch
• Slip marker (sl m) – used to mark pattern sections and gusset placement

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Buttermilk Channel Mitts are designed to be worked with worsted-weight yarn. The suggested yarn is Studio Avenue Six Bellwether Worsted, available in 4-ounce skeins with 210 yards of yardage. The pattern is shown in the Corn colorway. US 5 needles (or the size needed to achieve proper gauge) are recommended, with the option to use either double-pointed needles or a circular needle for magic loop construction.

Gauge

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 22 stitches to 4 inches in washed and blocked stockinette stitch. Achieving this gauge is essential for proper fit and hand size accommodation.

Pattern Structure

The mitts begin with a cast-on of 40 stitches and feature a gusset construction for thumb shaping. The pattern alternates between the textured pattern stitch and ribbed sections, with increases strategically placed using m1l and m1r techniques to shape the gusset area. The ribbed palm sections provide the flexibility needed for comfortable wear across different hand sizes.