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Deep red-violet fingerless mittens with small Fair Isle patterns in pale and medium pink over the hand

Yarn pack, comprising three balls of Shetland Spindrift in pink-purple colours.

Tesserae fingerless mittens

Yarn pack for Tesserae fingerless mittens

The Tesserae fingerless mittens pattern is suitable for knitters new to Fair Isle knitting because only a few colours and techniques are used. The background is in one colour, and each peerie pattern is in a different colour. There are no more than three adjacent stitches worked in any colour, so the only stranded colourwork technique used is stranding.

The Tesserae pattern is for simple fingerless mittens that are worked in the round from the wrist up. The cuff is worked in a single-colour 2×2 rib, then the hand is worked in stranded colourwork, followed by another 2×2 rib. The mittens have folk-style forethought thumbs worked at the end of the project. The thumb opening is positioned by using waste yarn. After the rest of the mitten is complete, the waste yarn is removed, and the thumb is then finished.

You will also require a copy of Fair Isle Knitting and Design for the pattern.

See below for further details.

£11.70

yarn pack

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Description

The pink-purple yarn pack contains three balls of Shetland Spindrift yarn, from Jamieson’s of Shetland, in the original colourway of Tesserae fingerless mittens. The blue-green yarn pack contains three balls of Shetland Spindrift yarn, from Jamieson’s of Shetland, in the new colourway for Tesserae fingerless mittens. You will also require a copy of Fair Isle Knitting and Design for the pattern.

Other useful information

Gauge | Tension

362 sts and 32 rounds to 10 cm | 4 in over stranded colourwork stocking stitch after washing and blocking.

Needles & Accessories

Always use a needle size that will result in the correct tension after washing and blocking the knitted fabric. Suggested needle sizes are:

2.75 mm | UK 12 | US 2 needles (or size needed to obtain gauge) suitable for your preferred method of knitting small circumferences.
3.25 mm | UK 10 | US 3 needles (or size needed to obtain gauge) suitable for your preferred method of knitting small circumferences.
Lockable stitch markers, for marking the start of the round and thumb placement.
Smooth waste yarn, for thumb-gusset placement.
Blunt-ended yarn or tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends.
Mitten blockers (optional).

Sample details

The original colourway shown for Tesserae fingerless mittens is knitted in Shetland Spindrift from Jamieson’s of Shetland (4-ply; 100% Shetland wool; 105 m | 115 yds per 25 g skein), in the following colours:

Yarn A: Loganberry 1290.
Yarn B: Rose 550.
Yarn C: Sherbert 188.

The new colourway for Tesserae fingerless mittens is knitted in Shetland Spindrift from Jamieson’s of Shetland (4-ply; 100% Shetland wool; 105 m | 115 yds per 25 g skein), in the following colours:

Yarn A: Peacock 258.
Yarn B: Aqua 929.
Yarn C: Eucalyptus 794.

Sizes

This pattern is in one size.

To fit palm circumference: 19 | 7½ in.
Finished palm circumference: 20 cm | 7¾ in.
Finished length: 18.5 cm | 7¼ in.

Skills required

Long-tail cast-on method, stranding yarns, forethought thumb.

Tutorials in book

Stranding with a) one yarn held in each hand, b) both yarns held in the left hand, and c) both yarns held in the right hand.
Instructions for the forethought thumb are included in the pattern.

Published June 2020 in Fair Isle Knitting and Design.

Designer: Nicki Merrall.
Sample knitter: Nicki Merrall.
Tech editor: Amelia Hodsdon.