Thwaite

Thwaite Mittens by Susan Crawford Vintage

What Is Being Made

Thwaite is a pair of knitted mittens designed by Susan Crawford Vintage. This downloadable PDF pattern provides instructions for creating classic mittens using traditional knitting techniques, with options for multiple sizes to accommodate different hand measurements.

Craft and Primary Technique

This project uses knitting as both the primary craft and overall technique. The mittens are constructed using stranded colourwork, a traditional method where two or more colors of yarn are carried and worked simultaneously to create a patterned fabric. Stranded colourwork is worked in the round, meaning the mittens are knitted circularly from cuff to fingertip, creating seamless construction that produces a professional finish.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The pattern employs stranded colourwork worked in the round as its primary stitch technique. This involves carrying unused yarn colors inside the fabric while actively knitting with the working color, creating floats that add structure and warmth to the mittens. The gauge specifications indicate stockinette stitch as the base fabric, which is the fundamental knit stitch worked in rounds. Working in the round eliminates the need for seaming and creates a seamless, tubular fabric ideal for mittens.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

Yarn: The pattern calls for Susan Crawford Excelana DK yarn, which is 100% British wool. Each skein contains 247 meters or 270 yards and weighs 100 grams. Three skeins are required in total: one skein each in the shades Snowdrop (Yarn A), Cinnamon (Yarn B), and Bellflower (Yarn C). The DK (double knitting) weight yarn is a medium-weight yarn suitable for creating fabric with good drape and structure.

Needles: The pattern provides four size options, each with specific needle recommendations:

• Size One: 3.25mm (US 2/3) needles, available as double-pointed needles (DPNs) or circular needles measuring 25-30cm in length
• Size Two: 3.5mm (US 2/3) needles
• Size Three: 3.75mm (US 2/3) needles
• Size Four: 4mm needles

Needle selection depends on achieving the correct gauge for your chosen size. The pattern explicitly notes that alternative needle sizes may be substituted if necessary to obtain the correct gauge after blocking.

Gauge and Sizing

Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit. The pattern provides four distinct gauge measurements, each calibrated for stranded colourwork worked in the round after blocking:

• Size One: 27 stitches and 29 rounds over 10cm (4 inches)
• Size Two: 26 stitches and 28 rounds over 10cm (4 inches)
• Size Three: 24 stitches and 26 rounds over 10cm (4 inches)
• Size Four: 22 stitches and 24 rounds over 10cm (4 inches)

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty. Knitters should be comfortable with circular knitting techniques, managing multiple yarn colors, and understanding stranded colourwork before beginning this project. Prior experience with gauge swatching and blocking is also recommended to ensure successful results.