Mittens Pagoda

Mittens Pagoda by Maryna Radzko

What is Being Made

Mittens Pagoda is a pair of knitted mittens designed by Maryna Radzko. This downloadable PDF pattern provides instructions for creating fitted mittens available in two lengths: medium (23 cm) and large (27 cm). The mittens feature a structured cuff, body, and tapered tip, with charted stitch patterns that create a distinctive pagoda-inspired design.

Craft and Techniques

This is a knitting project classified at intermediate difficulty level. The mittens are worked in the round using either double-pointed needles (DPNs) or the magic loop method on circular needles. The pattern includes ribbed cuff work, stockinette stitch sections for the body, and charted colorwork or textured stitch patterns that define the pagoda motif. Knitters will need to read charts from bottom to top and work rounds from right to left, requiring familiarity with chart reading and in-the-round construction.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch – Forms the primary fabric of the mitten body, worked in rounds
• Ribbed stitch – Creates the cuff for stretch and structure, worked according to Chart 1
• Charted stitch patterns – Define the pagoda design throughout the mitten
• Cable techniques – A cable needle or cable stitch holder is referenced in the materials list, suggesting cable or twisted stitch elements may be incorporated

Materials and Yarn

Yarn Weight: Fingering weight yarn is recommended, with specifications of approximately 300–400 metres per 100 grams. The sample mittens were knitted using SandnesGarn mini duett yarn (175 metres per 50 grams), requiring 49 grams total. For your project, plan to use 40–60 grams of fingering weight yarn depending on desired length and yarn choice.

Needles and Tools: US 0–US 1½ (2–2.5 mm) double-pointed needles or circular needles for magic loop construction. Additional materials include a cable needle or cable stitch holder, a safety pin or scrap yarn for holding stitches, a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, scissors, and a thick sheet of cardboard or plastic for blocking the finished mittens.

Gauge

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 24 stitches and 40 rows per 2.5 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch. Achieving this gauge is essential for proper fit, particularly for mittens where sizing is critical.

Pattern Structure and Sizing

The mittens are cast on with 48 stitches and worked in the round. The cuff measures 5.5 cm in ribbed stitch. The medium size mittens are 23 cm in total length with a 17.5 cm body and tip section. The large size mittens are 27 cm in total length with a 21.5 cm body and tip section. Right and left hand variations are included in the pattern, with separate charted instructions for each.