Fiddlehead Mittens

Fiddlehead Mittens by Adrian Bizilia

What Is Being Made

The Fiddlehead Mittens are a pair of adult mittens designed by Adrian Bizilia, featuring colorwork patterning throughout. This knit project creates fitted mittens available in three sizes—Small, Medium, and Large—with palm circumferences measuring 7.5", 8.25", and 9" respectively. The finished mittens measure 8.5" (9.25", 10") in circumference and 9.5" (10", 11") in length, making them suitable for a range of hand sizes.

Techniques and Construction

These mittens are constructed using colorwork knitting, a technique that involves working with multiple yarn colors in a single row or round to create a patterned design. The pattern is worked in the round, which is the traditional method for creating seamless mittens. Knitters have flexibility in their circular needle choice: the pattern accommodates double-pointed needles, long circular needles using the magic loop method, or two circular needles. This versatility allows crafters to select their preferred technique for working small circumferences in the round.

The construction includes strategic shaping techniques to ensure proper fit. The pattern incorporates M1L (Make 1 Left) increases, which are worked from the front by lifting the working yarn to create new stitches. This increase method is commonly used in colorwork projects to maintain pattern integrity while shaping the mitten.

Stitches Used

The Fiddlehead Mittens employ fundamental knitting stitches combined with colorwork techniques. The primary stitch structure is built from knit stitches worked in rounds to create the stockinette base. Increases using M1L (Make 1 Left) are used for shaping the mitten to achieve proper circumference and fit. The pattern features a colorwork chart that guides placement of contrast colors against the main color, creating the distinctive fiddlehead design.

Yarn and Materials

This pattern requires sport or DK weight yarn, with specific yardage allocations for each component. Knitters will need approximately 125 yards of main color (MC) yarn and 40 yards each of five contrast colors (CCs) for the colorwork elements. Additionally, approximately 140 yards of DK or sport weight lining yarn is required to create an insulated inner layer. The pattern recommends plied wool or wool-blend yarn for the outer mitten to provide optimal warmth and durability, while suggesting a softer, cushier yarn for the lining to enhance comfort against the skin.

Gauge is critical for achieving proper fit in these mittens. The pattern specifies gauges of 28 stitches and 30 rounds per 4 inches (Small), 26 stitches and 28 rounds per 4 inches (Medium), or 24 stitches and 26 rounds per 4 inches (Large) when working the colorwork pattern. Sport weight yarn is recommended for the Small size, while DK weight suits the Large size, though both weights work across all sizes.

Notions and Tools

• Stitch marker for tracking round beginnings
• Waste yarn for holding stitches
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends and finishing
• Circular needles in US sizes 3, 4, or 5 (depending on size and gauge), or appropriate size to achieve gauge

Difficulty Level

The Fiddlehead Mittens are rated as an intermediate knitting project. This difficulty level reflects the colorwork techniques required, which demand attention to chart reading and managing multiple yarn colors simultaneously. While not a beginner project, the mittens are accessible to knitters with foundational skills in circular knitting and basic colorwork experience.