Necessity mitts

Necessity Mitts by Erika Loftin

What is Being Made

The Necessity Mitts are a pair of fingerless mittens designed by Erika Loftin, available in five graduated sizes to fit toddlers through adults. These mitts are crafted to measure approximately 4.8 inches around the hand for toddlers, scaling up to 8 inches for adult large sizes, with a deliberate ½ inch of negative ease for a snug, secure fit. The design is part of the Evergreen Whimsy 2021 collection and works equally well as practical hand warmers or decorative accessories.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

The Necessity Mitts are worked in the round using either a long circular needle with the magic loop method or double-pointed needles (dpns), both popular techniques for creating seamless tubular garments. This construction method eliminates the need for seaming and creates a polished, professional finish. The pattern incorporates cable work as a design element, requiring the use of a cable needle or spare double-pointed needle to create textured, twisted stitch patterns that add visual interest and depth to the finished mitts.

Stitches Used

The Necessity Mitts employ fundamental knitting stitches combined with shaping techniques appropriate for intermediate-level knitters. The primary stitch pattern is stockinette stitch in the round, which creates a smooth, classic fabric. The pattern includes several shaping and textural stitches:

• Knit (K) – the basic knit stitch
• Purl (P) – the basic purl stitch
• Kfb (knit into front and back) – an increase technique that adds one stitch
• K2tog (knit two stitches together) – a right-leaning decrease
• Ssk (slip, slip, knit) – a left-leaning decrease that creates balanced shaping
• Cable work – twisted stitch patterns created by crossing stitches over one another

Stitch markers are used throughout to denote pattern repeats and round boundaries, helping knitters maintain accuracy in their work.

Yarn and Needle Specifications

The Necessity Mitts are designed to be worked in worsted weight yarn, also known as aran weight, a medium-weight yarn that knits up quickly while maintaining good stitch definition for cable work. Yardage requirements scale with size: toddler mitts require approximately 55 yards, while adult large mitts need up to 150 yards. The pattern calls for size 5 (3.75mm) and size 6 (4.00mm) needles, with the larger size used to achieve the specified gauge of 5 stitches per inch and 7 rows per inch in stockinette stitch in the round. Knitters should verify their gauge before beginning to ensure proper fit across all five size options. Additional supplies include a cable needle, stitch markers, scissors, and a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends.

Difficulty Level

Rated as an intermediate project, the Necessity Mitts are suitable for knitters who have mastered basic stitches and are comfortable working in the round. The inclusion of cable work and multiple decrease techniques requires familiarity with these intermediate skills, though the relatively small scale of the project makes it manageable for developing knitters seeking to expand their technical abilities.