I’m over-the-moon excited to share some photos of my latest finished project …. My Exploits Valley Hap.
The pattern is written by the super talented Jennifer Beale and it was an absolute delight to knit. It has lots of lace but the charts are intuitive and the main motifs are easily memorized. The colorwork bands can be knit flat or steeked depending upon your preference. Since I’m comfortable with steeking but need practice with purling colorwork, I opted for knitting the colorwork back and forth. I really enjoy having a chance to expand and stretch my current level of knitting skills.
I love the modular type of design. I keeps things fresh and interesting and I always learn something new and fun in each one of Jennifer’s patterns that I knit.
My yarn choice for Exploits was Rowan Fine Lace. If you haven’t had the opportunity to knit with it yet, I can’t recommend it highly enough. It is buttery soft, has beautiful drape, and it has excellent stitch definition for lacework. I’m eager to do some more playing with it!
I’m very happy with the finished shawl and wearing it right now as I type up this post. That’s one “dream knitting” project for the books.
How about you? Are you working on any dream knitting projects? I’d love to hear!
Inspiration is a funny thing. I’ve wanted to create this pattern since I released the matching hat and cowl patterns several years ago but just never got around to it.
When I popped in to visit Fleece and Harmony and Ken brought Wildwinds 2 ply out for me to see and squish I knew exactly what that yarn wanted to be …. A pair of Iditarod Mittens. It had the texture and feel I had been wanting and once I got knitting, it had the stitch definition that was craving for colorwork mittens. Plus, it is a natural wool which will keep hands warmer.
Of the three natural color choices, I decided upon black and grey but these mittens will also work very well in the Fleece and Harmony Point Prim Sock yarn, if you are craving a wider range of colors.
I’m really happy with how these mittens turn out and I hope that others enjoy them as well.
Pattern Specifics
These mittens are a brand new companion pattern to my Iditarod Hat and Cowl patterns.
Yarn: 165 yards of fingering weight yarn in background color (BC) 125 yards of fingering weight yarn in contrast color (CC)
Pictured in Fleece and Harmony Wildwinds 2 Ply in Black (BC) and Grey (CC)
Needles: 2.75mm double pointed needles
Or sizes necessary to achieve gauge. Please be sure to knit a gauge swatch.
Gauge: 29 sts x 30 rows = 4” in stranded colorwork when blocked.
Finished Size: Mittens are 8” in circumference and 11” in length, when blocked.
Notions: Waste yarn or a stitch holder for holding thumb stitches and a tapestry needle for sewing in ends.
Skill level: Intermediate.
Skills required: knit, purl, reading charts, and stranded knitting.
For anyone who might be interested in knitting their own pair of Iditarod Mittens, I’ve made the pattern available on Ravelry and Etsy.
Sometimes, lost mittens happen. Because of this, I’ve created speedy pattern in bulky weight yarn to help remedy the lost mitten situation.
I’ve used this pattern a * just a few * times myself while reciting a modified version of The Three Little Knittens but subbing “kittens” for “teenagers” and “you shall have no pie” for “you shall be off The Knit List.” 🤣
It is only written for one size (because we all wear approximately the same size mittens in this house) but could be easily adjusted to suit your needs. Please keep in mind that it will change the amount of yardage used.
I find that I can knit a pair of these mittens in only a morning. I really love the dense fabric of the Álafosslopi and how it softens with wear. They are good sturdy mittens to handle whatever late Autumn and Winter might throw at you.
Pattern particulars are as follows:
Yarn: 1 ball of Álafosslopi 100m/109 yards
I found that I could knit one pair in this sizes with approximately 5 meters of yarn leftover. If your gauge is different than mine or if you don’t enjoy playing yarn chicken, I would suggest either buying two balls (just to be safe) or knitting the cuffs in a different color to save on yardage.
Needles: 4.0mm for ribbing
5.0mm for rest of mitten
I like using the magic loop for knitting these mittens. If you prefer small circumference circulars, you will need double pointed needles to close the fingertips.
Gauge: 14 sts x 20 rows = 10cm/4” in stockinette stitch using 5.0mm needles
Finished size: approximately 30.5cm/12” in length and 20cm/8” in circumference around the palm above the thumb
Notions: a removable stitch marker, scrap yarn or a stitch holder, and a tapestry needle for sewing in ends
Notes:
M1R: make your favourite right leaning increase
M1L: make your favourite left leaning increase
BOR Marker: beginning of round marker
PM: place marker
PUK: pick up and knit
Pattern
Using 4.0mm needles and your favourite stretchy cast on method (I like German Twisted), cast on 28 sts. Place BOR marker. Join for working in the round, being careful not to twist.
K1, P1 around for 10cm/4”
Switch to 5mm needles and knit 3 rounds even.
Thumb gusset
Set up round: M1R, K1, M1L, PM, knit to end of round.
Rounds 1 & 2: knit
Round 3 (inc): M1R, knit to marker, M1L, slip marker, knit to end of round. (2 sts inc)
Repeat these 3 rounds until there are 11 stitches between the BOR marker and the second marker, ending with an increase round. (38 sts total on needles)
Knit 1 round.
On next round, place 11 sts from BOR to second marker on scrap yarn or a stitch holder. Cast on 1 stitch using backwards E cast on, and knit to end of round. (28 sts)
Continue knitting even in the round until the mitten measures 10cm/4” from backwards E thumb stitch cast on or 4cm/1.5” less than desired length.
Setup round: knit 14 sts place marker, knit to end of round.
Decrease round: K1, SSK, knit to 3 sets before next marker, K2TOG, K1. Repeats a second time. (4 sts dec)
Repeat the decrease round until you have a total of 8 sts remaining. Break yarn leaving a 15cm/6” tail. Thread through remaining 8 sts, pull the gap closed and sew in ends.
Thumb
PUK 11 sts from holder or scrap yarn and PUK 3 sts from inside of thumb. Arrange sts evenly across your needles (whether magic loop or DPNs). (14 sts total)
Set up round: K1, SSK, knit to last 3 sts, K2TOG, K1. (2 sts dec – 12 sts remain)
Knit evenly in the round until you thumb measures 5cm/2” or 1cm/0.25” less than desired length.
K2TOG around (6 sts remaining)
Break yarn leaving a 15cm/6” tail. Thread through remaining 6 sts, pull the gap closed and sew in all remaining ends.
Repeat for the second mitten.
I hope that this helps you out of any sticky, lost-mitten situation you might have.
Meow, meow, meow, meow, meow now we shall have some pie …. Is 5 AM too early for pie? 🥧
Sand And Sky Creations 