Bunty mitts

Bunty Mitts by Ella Austin

Project Overview

The Bunty Mitts are fingerless knitted mitts designed by Ella Austin, inspired by bold retro patterns found on 1970s wallpaper and fabric designs. These advanced-level fingerless mitts combine stranded colorwork with a cheerful aesthetic perfect for adding vintage flair to cold-weather accessories. The project uses a downloadable PDF pattern format and is suitable for experienced knitters seeking a colorwork challenge.

What Is Being Made

Fingerless mitts—also known as fingerless gloves or mitts—are hand coverings that leave the fingers exposed while providing warmth to the palms, backs of hands, and wrists. These particular mitts feature a retro-inspired design that celebrates 1970s aesthetic sensibilities. The mitts are available in three sizes: Small, Medium, and Large, allowing for customization to different hand measurements.

Craft and Primary Technique

This project is a knitting pattern worked using stranded colorwork (also called Fair Isle knitting). Stranded colorwork is an advanced knitting technique in which two or more colors of yarn are carried across the back of the work and used to create patterned designs on the fabric surface. This method produces a dense, insulated fabric ideal for warm accessories. The mitts are worked in the round using double-pointed needles, which allows for seamless construction.

Stitches and Techniques Used

• Stocking stitch (also called stockinette stitch)—the foundation stitch worked in rounds, creating the smooth V-pattern fabric characteristic of knitted garments
• Stranded colorwork—the primary technique, carrying multiple yarn colors to create the bold 1970s-inspired pattern
• Make one increase (m1)—used in both the main color and contrast colors to shape the mitts during construction
• Kfb (knit front and back)—an alternative increase method for adding stitches
• Purl stitches—used selectively with the main color (P1MC) as part of stitch pattern detail
• Slip marker (Sm)—used to mark round beginnings and pattern repeat points

Yarn and Materials

The Bunty Mitts pattern calls for 4-ply yarn (a lightweight, fine yarn weight) from Skein Queen in 100% merino fiber. The yarn is divided into three colors:

• Main Color (MC)—30g of background yarn
• Contrast Color 1 (CC1)—20g for flower stems and leaves
• Contrast Color 2 (CC2)—10g for flower heads

The three-color palette creates the retro floral design central to the pattern's visual appeal. Merino wool offers natural elasticity, breathability, and temperature regulation—ideal properties for fingerless mitts worn during cool weather.

Needles and Notions

Double-pointed needles (dpns) are required, with size varying by finished mitt size:

• Size S mitts—2.25mm dpns
• Size M mitts—2.5mm dpns
• Size L mitts—needle size not specified in provided content

Double-pointed needles allow the mitts to be knitted seamlessly in the round, eliminating the need for seaming and creating a continuous fabric tube.

Gauge and Sizing

Accurate gauge is essential for proper fit. The pattern specifies different gauges for each size, measured over blocked stranded stocking stitch:

• Size S—39 stitches and 42 rows = 10cm
• Size M—34 stitches and 36 rows = 10cm
• Size L—31 stitches and 32 rows = 10cm

Blocking (wet-finishing the knitted fabric) is recommended to achieve accurate gauge and help the stranded colorwork pattern display evenly.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated advanced, reflecting the complexity of stranded colorwork