Ghostwood Mittens by Kiyomi Burgin

Ghostwood Mittens

Knitting
September 2017
yarn held together
Lace
+ Worsted
= Aran (8 wpi) ?
21 stitches and 29 rows = 4 inches
in Stockinette Stitch
US 3 - 3.25 mm
US 4 - 3.5 mm
120 - 160 yards (110 - 146 m)
1 (2, 3)
English German
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As winter approaches, we all need a cozy pair of mittens to get us through those brisk late fall days. The Ghostwood mittens are knit with a strand of worsted weight merino cashmere yarn held together with a fine strand of mohair and silk, creating a warm and fluffy, yet still lightweight fabric to keep the autumn chill out. The simple cable pattern flows directly out from the snug ribbed cuff giving these basic mittens a unique and poetic point of interest.

If you’re a fan of the original show Twin Peaks, you might know where these mittens got their name! The Ghostwood Forest is the fictional woodland that surrounds the town of Twin Peaks, plays host to the mysterious Owl Cave, and shrouds the entrance of the elusive Black Lodge. Spooky!

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Sizes
1 (2, 3)
To fit: Women’s small (women’s medium, women’s large/men’s small)

Finished Measurements
Hand Length (excluding cuff): 17 (18, 19.5) cm/ 6¾ (7, 7¾)”. Can be adjusted to your hand length
Full Length (including cuff): 22 (23.5, 26) cm/ 8¾ (9¼, 10¼)”
Flat Hand Width: 9 (10, 11) cm/ 3½ (4, 4¼)”
See schematic for additional measurements

Recommended Yarn
Yarn A: Viola M/C/N Worsted (80% superwash merino, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon; 183 m/ 200 yds per
115 g/ 4 oz skein)
1 (1, 1) skein or approx 109 (132, 145.5) m/ 120 (145, 160) yds of a similar worsted weight wool blend yarn

Yarn B: Rowan Kidsilk Haze (70% mohair, 30% silk; 210 m/ 229 yds per 25g/ .88 oz ball)
1 (1, 1) ball or approx 114 (136, 150)m/ 125 (150, 165) yds of a similar lace weight mohair blend yarn

Off white Sample is shown in Size 1 and Viola M/C/N Worsted in Garden Ghost with Rowan Kidsilk Haze in Pearl #590

Brown Sample is shown in Size 2 and Viola M/C/N Worsted in Mineral with Rowan Kidsilk Haze in Drab #588

Yarn Substitution Ideas
Worsted Weight:

(Wool / wool blend yarn with good stitch definition suggested, but not limited to)

  • Briggs & Little Regal
  • Knit Picks Swish Worsted
  • Patons Classic Wool
  • Knitting For Olive Heavy Merino
  • Berroco Ultra Wool

Laceweight Mohair:

  • Drops Kid-silk
  • Knit Picks Aloft
  • Knitting For Olive Soft Silk Mohair
  • Sandnes Garn Silk Mohair
  • Ficolana Tilia

Needles
3.25 mm/ US 3 set of double pointed needles (dpns)
3.5 mm/ US 4 set of double pointed needles
Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain correct gauge

Notions
Two different stitch markers (BOR marker, and side marker)
Cable needle
A smooth waste yarn such as cotton
Yarn needle

Gauge
21 sts x 29 rows = 10 cm/ 4” in St st, with larger needles and with a strand of both yarn A and B held together, blocked

Notes
Mittens are worked from the cuff to the fingertips in the round. The thumbs are worked using the afterthought technique. The mitten tops are closed using Kitchener stitch. Two strands of yarn (one worsted weight wool blend, and one lace weight mohair blend) are held together throughout, however if you wish to omit the mohair strand, follow gauge and pattern as written and a lighter mitten will be achieved. All lengths are adjustable and can be tailored to your hand size, however if you are adjusting for more length you will require more yarn!

Tutorial
I have made a brief photo tutorial on my blog explaining how to pick up the stitches in the gap for the after thought thumb. Check it out if you’d like!