Brigid Mittens - PDF Knitting Pattern

PDF KNITTING PATTERN - NOT A PHYSICAL PRODUCT

The Brigid Mittens are fair isle colourwork knit mittens available from youth to adult sizes. Named after the Celtic goddess, Brigid, a healer and poet, she is often associated with the birch tree, a symbol of new beginnings. The Brigid Mittens feature bands of colourwork, separated by a section of stockinette in the main colour providing a break between the fair isle motifs, and emulating the bark of her sacred tree.

Knit from the bottom up in the round, a single or double folded ribbed cuff is worked first. The thumb gusset is shaped along both sides of the thumb, allowing each mitten to fit either hand. As the thumb gusset is formed, the first band of fair isle colourwork is introduced and formed as though it were growing from the thumb. The thumb and fingers are effortlessly separated while working in the main colour before another band of fair isle colourwork is worked along the fingers. The fingers are closed following traditional Norwegian pointed shaping. Finally, the thumb is worked last in the main colour for an easy finish. There are options provided for a single or double folded cuff, and modification options for fit adjustment, length adjustment, width adjustment, and different yarn weights.

The model is wearing a size 3 with a palm circumference of 17 cm [6¾ inches] and hand length of 18 cm [7 inches].

Sizes:
1, 2 (3, 4)

Finished Palm Circumference:
12, 16, 20, 24 cm [4¾, 6¼ (8, 9½) inches]
Finished Hand Length (excluding the cuff):
14, 18 (20.5, 24.5) cm [5½, 7 (9, 9¾) inches]

Gauge:
20 stitches x 20 rows = 10 x 10 cm 4 x 4 inches in blocked colourwork on 4.5 mm US 7 needles (Example: Two repeats of Rows 1-13 of the Colourwork Chart).

Suggested Needles:
Colourwork: 4.5 mm US 7 circular needles
Ribbing: 3.5 mm US 4 circular needles

Suggested Yarn:
Main Colour (MC) Ice Blue: 100 g Worsted weight yarn
Contrast Colour 1 (1) Brown: 10-15 g Worsted weight yarn
Contrast Colour 2 (2) Oatmeal: 10-15 g Worsted weight yarn
Contrast Colour 3 (3) White: 10-15 g Worsted weight yarn
Contrast Colour 4 (4) Purple: 10-15 g Worsted weight yarn

Additional Materials:
Stitch markers
Tapestry needle
Stitch holders or scrap yarn
Measuring tape
Scissors

Difficulty:
2/5 - Suitable for knitters with a skill level of advanced beginner or greater. A good introduction to colourwork knitting. You should be able to read a colourwork chart and complete basic knit stitches.

Size Guide:
The Brigid Mittens are designed with 2 - 5 cm ¾ - 2 inches of positive ease at the palm. Positive ease refers to the final garment measuring larger than your initial measurement. It is recommended that you steam or wet block the mittens after they’ve been completed to ensure you meet the recommended measurements.

Sizes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 are based on an initial palm circumference measurement of 7 - 10, 11 - 14 (15 - 18, 19 - 22) cm [2¾ - 4, 4¼ - 5½ (6 - 7, 7½ - 8¾) inches]. 

To choose your size:
1. Measure your palm at its widest circumference, making sure the measuring tape is snug but not too tight. You should be able to fit a finger underneath the measuring tape.
2. Add 2-5 cm ¾ - 2 inches to your palm measurement to account for positive ease.
3. Use the resulting measurements when selecting your size.