Mondnacht

Mondnacht Gloves and Mittens by Dagmar Mora

Project Overview

Mondnacht is an intermediate-level knitting pattern for gloves and mittens designed by Dagmar Mora. This downloadable PDF pattern creates delicate hand coverings using fine lace and thread-weight yarns, suitable for skilled knitters seeking an elegant, refined project. The design is inspired by the romantic poetry of Joseph Freiherr von Eichendorff, bringing literary elegance to wearable accessories.

What Is Being Made

The Mondnacht pattern produces fitted gloves or mittens designed for women's hands. The pattern offers multiple size options to accommodate different hand circumferences: XS/S to fit hands up to 18cm (7⅛ inches), M/L to fit hands up to 20cm (7⅞ inches), and XL/XXL to fit hands up to 22.5cm (8⅞ inches). The finished pieces are crafted to provide a snug, comfortable fit above the thumb area.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several intermediate knitting techniques that add visual interest and sophistication to the finished gloves and mittens. The construction utilizes increases and decreases to shape the hand coverings, creating a tailored fit. The pattern incorporates yarn-over techniques to create decorative lace elements throughout the design, which is characteristic of fine lace-weight knitting. Knitters will work through-the-back-loop stitches and strategic increases to build the necessary shaping for proper glove and mitten construction.

Stitches and Stitch Abbreviations

The Mondnacht pattern uses the following core stitches and techniques:

• k – knit stitch, the fundamental building block of the fabric
• p – purl stitch, used for texture variation and reversible sections
• k1tbl – knit 1 stitch through the back of the loop, creating a twisted stitch for added definition
• k2tog – knit 2 stitches together, a right-leaning decrease used for shaping
• p2tog – purl 2 stitches together, a decrease worked on purl rows
• yo – yarn over, creating decorative holes and lace patterns characteristic of lace-weight projects
• m1k – make 1 stitch and knit it, an increase that adds stitches invisibly
• m1p – make 1 stitch and purl it, an increase worked on purl rows
• inc6 – increase 6 stitches by working (k1, yo, k1, yo, k1, yo, k1) into a single stitch, creating a dramatic fan or shell-like increase
• co – cast on, the foundation row that begins the project

Materials and Tools Required

The Mondnacht pattern calls for fine, delicate materials suited to lace and thread-weight knitting. Knitters will need 50 grams (265 meters or 290 yards) of Eldorado by Coats in colour #4317, or a similar plied cotton thread in size 10-20. This yarn weight and fiber choice creates the refined, elegant drape essential to the design. The pattern requires one set of 2.25mm double-pointed needles (dpns) to work the small circumference of gloves and mittens in the round. The fine needle size and yarn weight combination demands intermediate knitting skill to maintain consistent tension and execute the lace techniques accurately.

Pattern Structure and Measurements

All measurements in the pattern are provided in both metric and imperial units for international accessibility. Finished hand circumferences are listed in centimeters with inch equivalents in parentheses, allowing knitters to select the appropriate size for their needs. The pattern uses standard knitting abbreviations and includes repeat instructions marked with parentheses, indicating sections to be worked multiple times as specified in the pattern instructions.