Peppermint & Pine Mittens

Peppermint & Pine Mittens by Alicia Plum

What Is Being Made

The Peppermint & Pine Mittens are a pair of knitted hand coverings designed by Alicia Plum. These mittens feature a finished hand circumference of 8 inches (20 cm) and a length of 9¼ inches (23.5 cm) when gently blocked. The design showcases a deep, rounded body that creates comfortable space for layering, making them practical for cold weather wear. A distinctive design element includes color-tipped thumbs that add visual interest to the finished mittens.

Techniques Used

This knitting project employs several fundamental techniques suitable for beginner knitters. The mittens are constructed using the German Twisted Cast On method to begin the project, which creates a secure and elastic foundation edge. The mittens are worked in the round using double-pointed needles, a classic technique for creating seamless tubular garments. The pattern incorporates color work through the use of two distinct yarn colors—Malabar (a neutral heathered grey) and Rye (a deep golden ochre)—with the color-tipped thumbs providing a two-color design element. Blocking is used to finish the mittens and achieve the specified dimensions.

Stitches Used

While the complete stitch breakdown is not fully detailed in the provided pattern information, the mittens are constructed using standard knit stitches worked in the round. The pattern maintains a gauge of 16 stitches, indicating the density and scale of the stitchwork. The rounded body construction suggests the use of increases and decreases to shape the mitten form, and the color-tipped thumb detail involves managing stitches across two colors.

Materials

The Peppermint & Pine Mittens are designed to be knitted with Stone Wool Corriedale yarn, which is 100% Corriedale wool. One skein each of two colors is required: Malabar 02 (the main color, a neutral heathered grey) and Rye 03 (the contrast color, a deep golden ochre). Each skein contains 165 yards (150 meters) and weighs 113 grams. The yarn is classified as aran weight to heavy worsted weight, providing a substantial fabric suitable for warm mittens.

The project requires two sets of double-pointed needles (dpns): one set in US size 8 (5.0 mm) and one set in US size 9 (5.5 mm), allowing the knitter to adjust needle size as needed to obtain the correct gauge. Additional notions include 2 stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats, a stitch holder or waste yarn for holding stitches, and a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends.

Difficulty Level

The Peppermint & Pine Mittens are rated as a beginner-level project, making them accessible to knitters new to mittens or in-the-round knitting. The straightforward construction and use of basic knitting techniques make this an ideal project for developing fundamental skills while creating a practical, wearable garment.