These mittens are knit with a sturdy, worsted weight wool yarn and use very simple stranded colorwork designs that are no more than 4 stitches wide. Only 2 colors are worked at a time. This project is suitable for knitters who are new to this technique because it is worked with a heavy yarn, has easy to memorize stitch patterns, and both mittens are worked exactly the same with the thumb on the side. Work the colors as suggested for either the Bright Colorway or the Muted Colorway. You can explore other color combinations by using the charts provided and create your own color palettes. You will have enough yarn left over to make more pairs of mittens by changing up the colors (and quantities) you use.

Three inches of 2x2 ribbing makes a substantial cuff for wrist warmth. The traditional thumb gusset is worked from the bottom of the hand, then stitches are set aside on waste yarn. The thumb stitches are knit after the top of the hand is completed.

The stranded color work makes an extra warm fabric because of the two strands of wool worked together. The mittens can be worn comfortably on either hand, which allows a longer wear life.

The four-section, swirled decreases at the top of the hand form a rounded and comfortable mitten tip.