Sunny Later

Sunny Later Mittens by Kate Heppell

Project Overview

Sunny Later is an intermediate-level knitted mitten pattern designed by Kate Heppell. These mittens feature vibrant colorwork that brings a cheerful, rainbow-inspired aesthetic to a classic cold-weather accessory. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and is suitable for knitters with some experience in colorwork and small-circumference knitting techniques.

What Is Being Made

This pattern creates a pair of mittens in two size options: S/M and M/L. The finished mittens measure approximately 32cm in length, with a wrist circumference of 20cm and an upper hand circumference of 30cm (S/M) or 25cm (M/L). The mittens are constructed using in-the-round knitting on double-pointed needles, resulting in a seamless, professional finish.

Techniques Used

• Colorwork knitting: The pattern incorporates stranded colorwork sections worked from a chart, requiring the knitter to manage multiple yarn colors simultaneously while maintaining consistent tension
• In-the-round knitting: Mittens are worked circularly using double-pointed needles, eliminating the need for seaming
• Increases and decreases: Pattern uses lifted bar increases (M1) and knit-two-together decreases (K2tog), as well as central double decreases (Cdd) for shaping
• Tension management: Proper gauge is essential for proper fit, particularly when working colorwork sections

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch (St st): The primary stitch throughout the mittens, providing a smooth, classic fabric
• Knit stitch (K): Forms the foundation of the stockinette stitch base
• Knit two together (K2tog): A right-leaning decrease used for shaping
• Make one (M1): A lifted bar increase used for expanding the mitten circumference where needed
• Central double decrease (Cdd): A centered decrease technique used for refined shaping in the mitten crown

Materials

Yarn: Jamieson & Smith 2-ply jumper weight (4-ply), 100% Shetland wool. Yardage is 105 meters per 25-gram ball. The color palette includes 2 balls of shade 203 (grey) for the main color, plus 1 ball each of shade 93 (red), 91 (orange), 23 (yellow), 47 (green), 18 (blue), and 20 (purple) for colorwork contrast. The use of Shetland wool provides warmth, durability, and a traditional aesthetic suitable for mittens.

Needles: 3.25mm double-pointed needles (DPNs) are used for working the mittens in the round. This needle size works in proportion with the 4-ply yarn weight to achieve the required gauge.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a tension of 24 stitches by 30 rows over 10 centimeters when measured over stockinette stitch in colorwork. Achieving this gauge is critical for proper mitten fit. The pattern offers two sizes to accommodate different hand sizes, with finished measurements clearly provided for each option.