Rose Hill Mitts

Rose Hill Mitts by Jennifer Chase-Rappaport

What Is Being Made

Rose Hill Mitts are a pair of cuffed mittens designed by Jennifer Chase-Rappaport. These mittens are available in three sizes to fit hands up to approximately 7", 8", or 9", with actual knitted measurements of 6.5", 7.25", or 8" respectively. The mittens feature a distinctive cuffed construction with decorative button closures on the cuff.

Techniques and Construction

The Rose Hill Mitts employ a two-part construction technique that combines different knitting methods. The cuff is knit flat using size 6 needles (4mm), while the main body of the mittens is worked in the round using size 5 needles (3.75mm) via double-pointed needles, long circular needles, or the magic loop method. A key technique in this pattern is the blocking of the cuff before picking up stitches for the main mitten body. This blocking is performed gently to open up the mock cable pattern, which would otherwise contract similarly to ribbing if left unblocked.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern featured in Rose Hill Mitts is the Mock Cable, which appears on the cuff. This pattern is worked flat and consists of a three-row repeat:

• Row 1 (WS): k2, *k1, p2, repeat from * twice more, k1, k2
• Row 2 (RS): k2, *p1, RT, repeat from * twice more, p1, k2 (RT indicates a right twist stitch)
• Row 3 (WS): as row 1

The main body of the mittens is worked in stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric. The gauge for stockinette stitch knit in the round on the smaller needles is 5.5 stitches per inch.

Materials Required

Rose Hill Mitts require 150, 160, or 170 yards of worsted weight yarn, depending on size. The sample mittens shown in the pattern were knit using Cascade 220, a popular worsted weight yarn. In addition to yarn, the pattern calls for size 5 needles (3.75mm) and size 6 needles (4mm) in any type suitable for the construction method chosen (double-pointed, circular, or magic loop). The cuffed version requires six 1/2" buttons for closure.

Difficulty Level

Rose Hill Mitts are rated as an intermediate knitting project. This difficulty level reflects the combination of techniques required: working with multiple needle sizes, executing the mock cable stitch pattern, managing a transition from flat to in-the-round knitting, and incorporating button closures.