North Winds Mittens

North Winds Mittens by Fox and Folk

Project Overview

North Winds Mittens is a downloadable knitting pattern designed by Fox and Folk for creating warm, colorful mittens in multiple child sizes. This intermediate-level project is suitable for knitters with basic skills who are ready to work with shaping techniques and color work. The pattern includes sizing for infants through 8-year-old children, making it an excellent choice for growing families or gift-giving across age groups.

Available Sizes

The North Winds Mittens pattern provides directions for seven different sizes:

• Infant
• 12 months
• 2 years
• 4 years
• 6 years
• 8 years

Yarn and Materials

This pattern uses worsted weight yarn, a versatile and forgiving yarn choice that works well for children's mittens. The design incorporates a main color (MC) and accent colors, allowing for creative color combinations and personalization.

Yarn quantities by size:

• Infant: 40 yards main color, 30 yards each accent color
• 12 month: 50 yards main color, 30 yards each accent color
• 2 year: 60 yards main color, 35 yards each accent color
• 4 year: 70 yards main color, 35 yards each accent color
• 6 year: 80 yards main color, 35 yards each accent color
• 8 year: 90 yards main color, 35 yards each accent color

The modest yardage requirements make this an ideal pattern for using up yarn scraps or creating mittens affordably.

Tools and Notions

The pattern requires US 7 (4.5 mm) double-pointed needles (DPNs) for working the mittens in the round. A tapestry needle or yarn needle is needed for weaving in ends and finishing.

Gauge and Tension

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 5½ stitches per inch (or 6½ stitches per 3 centimeters) in stockinette stitch. Achieving proper gauge is essential for ensuring the mittens fit correctly across the different size ranges.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

North Winds Mittens employs fundamental knitting techniques appropriate for intermediate crafters:

• Stockinette stitch: The primary stitch used throughout the mittens, created by alternating knit and purl rows to produce a smooth, V-textured fabric
• Knit (K): Basic knit stitch for building the mitten fabric
• Purl (P): Purl stitch used in combination with knit stitches
• Knit two together (K2tog): A right-leaning decrease used for shaping the mitten top and creating a tapered fit
• Slip, slip, knit (SSK): A left-leaning decrease created by slipping two stitches knitwise and knitting them together, used for balanced shaping
• Cast on (CO): The foundation technique for beginning each mitten
• Slip marker (SM): Technique for tracking pattern sections and round beginnings when working in the round
• Place marker (PM): Used to identify key points in the pattern
• Make one right (M1R): An increase stitch for expanding the mitten width as needed

Pattern Structure

The pattern uses a color-coded organization system to simplify sizing. Directions that apply to all sizes are written in black text, while size-specific instructions are presented in separate colors. This approach helps knitters quickly identify which rows and rounds apply to their chosen size, reducing confusion and errors during construction.

Skill Level

Classified as an intermediate project, North Winds Mittens requires knitters to be comfortable with double-pointed needles, working in the round, and executing basic decreases.