Rapunzel

These mittens are comfortable and stretchy - and a braid that coils around the hands adds some extra elegance. The braid is worked horizontally - a technique that I invented. Each mitten is started with a braid and the actual mitten is worked around that braid, using short rows. The pattern includes written instructions and step-by-step picture tutorials for the back loop only slip stitch, front loop only slip stitch, inverse back loop only slip stitch, short rows, and horizontal three-stranded braids. It has symmetrical right hand and left hand patterns. The pattern is self-contained. All stitches and techniques you need to know to crochet the mittens are explained with step-by-step picture tutorials. Still, it helps if you practice slip stitch crochet before you start with the mittens. It also helps to make a little test-braid with three different colors. When the braid is done, the rest of the pattern is rather easy.

The pattern is available in English and in German.