Anemone fingerless mittens are colourful and cosy

Interesting techniques

My latest pattern, Anemone fingerless mittens, features several interesting techniques. These include a provisional cast-on, a picot hem, a simple double-knit pattern, a double-knit rib and a simple edging. The Anemone fingerless mittens have been designed to be easy for someone new to the double-knit technique. The mittens are worked, top-down, in rows, starting with the picot hem. The colourwork patterns are simple. There is no shaping; the fluffy fabric ensures that the mittens will fit and keep your hands cosy.

I came across double-knitting a few years ago. This technique intrigued me! How do you create two layers at the same time? How come both sides are a ‘knit’ side? Why do the layers interlock? How do you change the colour on each side? If like me, you are inquisitive, then my latest pattern, Anemone fingerless mittens, is for you. I’ve designed them to be easy for someone new to this technique.

You work these mittens top-down, starting with a picot hem. We don’t use hems often in knitting, but there is something very satisfying about starting one from a provisional cast-on since it means the hem is not sewn but knitted together. Very knitterly! Next, you work the main double-knit pattern in stocking stitch. This is a simple two-colour grid, so once you have set the colour pattern you work several rows identically. That’s much less brain strain! And there is no shaping to think about. You finish with a double-knit rib and finally a simple edging. The side seam is worked invisibly, leaving a gap for the thumbhole.

Anemone fingerless mittens are reversible, although because we are using a colour pattern based on a grid, the two sides are effectively identical.

The pattern includes instructions for the provisional cast-on, yarn positions for double-knit and how to knit double-knit stocking stitch and rib. I’ll also be writing some tutorials the help you with these techniques.

One of my favourite yarns

I chose to knit Anemone fingerless mittens in Kidsilk Haze (70% mohair, 30% silk) from Rowan Yarns. There is something about yarns such as Kidsilk Haze; they are so soft, fluffy and irresistibly strokable, they create a light and wonderfully warm fabric and the colours have a beautiful glow.

When used for double-knit, the fabric has more body than for a single layer. So, whilst the knit fabric remains soft and light, it is perfect for a pair of fingerless mittens. Just right for those of us who suffer from cold hands, and need to keep them cosy whilst doing other things.

A pair of fingerless mittens in either size uses approximately 15 g of yarn. Not much is it! So, these fingerless mittens are a great stash buster since they use small amounts of yarn in a few colours. I chose blackcurrant (shade 641), Dewberry (shade 600) and Candy Girl (606). You could have a lot of fun choosing alternative colour combinations. I shall be making a second pair; there are so many lovely colours from which to choose.

A tip for measuring your palm size

The pattern has instructions for two palm sizes: 17.5 (20.5) cm | 7.00 (8.25) inches. The finished palm circumferences are: 15 (17.5) cm | 6.75 (7.75) inches and the finished lengths are: 15 (17.5) cm | 6.00 (7.00) inches.

Remember when you measure palm circumference for glove or mittens, you should put the tape measure around your palm, and then bend your fingers toward your palm.

Choose your needle type

Since these fingerless mittens are knitted in rows, you can use straight, double-pointed or circular needles. You’ll need 3.00 mm | UK 11 | US 2 1/2 and 3.50 mm | UK 9 | US 4 needles of your choice. You’ll also need a 4.00 mm | US G crochet hook and waste yarn for the provisional cast-on and a yarn needle for the seam.

I hope you enjoy the Anemone fingerless mittens as much as I do.