Keeping your hands warm can be a challenge during a polar vortex!

These bulky knit mittens have a striped, garter stitch band and are thick enough to keep your fingers toasty during the worst that winter can throw at you. The matching hat in the companion pattern will keep your ears warm as well. Better knit up several sets for the next blast of cold!

Simple Latvian designs decorate the hand of the mittens. These small designs add some extra warmth and are a great way to practice your stranded knitting without committing to a big project.

(originally published in I Like Knitting, February 2015)