Cuthaig Plaid Mitts

My blog now features a photo tutorial on the applied crochet chain technique used to create the vertical stripes. Find it at: [http://woolly-wits.blogspot.com/2014/05/crochet-chain-applique-tutorial.html][1].

These traditionally-patterned fingerless mitts are worked in a combination of two plaid knitting techniques – two-stranded intarsia and applied crochet. The bigger checks and horizontal contrast stripes are worked as part of the knitting, while the vertical contrast stripes are inserted after the knitting is completed. This approach is much simpler than working four colors in intarsia – especially when one is a one-stitch wide stripe.

The Cuthaig Plaid Mitts are worked flat to simplify the intarsia patterning. Then the vertical stripes are created with applied crochet chain stitch. Finally, in an unusual technique, the thumb gusset is picked up from side stitches and knit in short rows to create the depth.

The ladies version of the pattern uses double-stranded