This pattern is currently only available as part of A Stitch in Time Volume 3, the colourwork edition.

These are the mittens to match the Copley Hood.

Copley is an eye-catching Fair Isle pixie hood and mittens design knitted in fingering weight yarn in two strongly contrasting shades. This matching Fair Isle hood and mitten set was first published in the UK in the 1940s and somewhat unusually for this period, includes charts for both the hood and the mittens. The Fair Isle motif featured on both is simple and bold and is used to great effect in this design using two strongly contrasting colours.

The mittens are worked in the round in both the original and updated versions of the pattern. The same bold, graphic pattern is worked on the back of the mittens with a complementary peerie motif on the palm of the mittens. A solid line of dark stitches are worked around the outer edges of the mittens and thumbs for a bold contrast. To achieve this, pairs of decrease stitches are worked within these border stitches thus maintaining the continuity of the stripes. Deep 2 × 2 ribbed cuffs are worked and in the original pattern photo are shown placed over the sleeves of the model’s coat ensuring draft free arms. This practical approach is something we probably wouldn’t think of today but made a great deal of sense particularly during wartime.

I have used Byre for the Copley hood and mitten set. This is a fingering weight yarn so slightly thicker than the original 3 ply yarn recommended in the pattern, but still fine enough to achieve a firm 30 sts to 10cm (4in) needed for the hood and mittens. Byre is a rustic yarn which I feel creates a similar look to that shown in the photos of the original pieces and is both warm and robust enough for these cosy outdoor pieces. I have used Thistle Head as the background shade, a warm lilac shade, and Berry Picking for the patterning – a deep, warm purple but any two strongly contrasting shades would work equally well. Excelana North fingering weight would also make an excellent alternative for those wanting a slightly softer fabric and I have given yarn requirements for both in the pattern information.

Yarn

Susan Crawford Byre, fingering weight, 100% British wool,
a unique blend of Jacobs, white Shetland a)nd black Shetland fleeces (400m / 436yds per 100g skein)
1 (2, 2, 2) skein, shade Thistle Head - yarn A
1 (1, 1, 1) skein, shade Berry Picking - yarn B

Gauge

1st Size
30 sts and 34 rounds = 10cm (4in) over stranded colourwork pattern worked in the round, after blocking. We obtained gauge using 3mm needles.

2nd and 3rd Size
27½ sts and 32½ rounds = 10cm (4in) over stranded colourwork pattern worked in the round, after blocking. We obtained gauge using 3.25mm needles.

If necessary use an alternative needle size to obtain the correct gauge.

Suggested Needles

1st Size

Small Needles: 2.5mm (US 1 / 2) circular needle (30cm in length) or set of 2.5mm (US 1 / 2) DPNs

Large Needles: 3mm (US 2 / 3) circular needle (30cm in length) or set of 3mm (US 2 / 3) DPNs

2nd Size

Small Needles: 2.5mm (US 1 / 2) circular needle (30cm in length) or set of 2.5mm (US 1 / 2) DPNs

Large Needles: 3.25mm (US 3) circular needle (30cm in length) or set of 3.25mm (US 3) DPNs

3rd Size

Small Needles: 2.75mm (US 2) circular needle (30cm in length) or set of 2.75mm (US 2) DPNs

Large Needles: 3.25mm (US 3) circular needle (30cm in length) or set of 3.25mm (US 3) DPNs

Notions
Waste yarn
Stitch markers
One removable stitch marker
Matching thread
Sewing needle

Sample Shown
Sofija is shown wearing the 2nd size hood and mittens

A yarn kit to make the hood and mittens is available at Susan Crawford Vintage.