Fall in the Northern Hemisphere is mushroom season and these will keep your hands warm and your fingers free while foraging through the woods (or the farmers’ market). They don’t replace a field guide, but they work perfectly well as a shopping list: don’t forget the porcini. Don’t forget the chanterelle. Don’t forget to take them off before you nibble on some blueberries (don’t nibble on blueberries at the farmer’s market unless you bought them first).

The construction is that of classic fingerless mitts: They are worked bottom-up, starting at the wrist. Stitches are increased to form the thumb gusset. After setting the thumb gusset stitches on hold, the mittens are finished with ribbing. The thumb gusset stitches are then set back onto needles and finished with ribbing, too. Colorful as they are, you never use more than two colors at once.

SIZE
S(L)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Circumference: 7.5(8.5) inches / 19(21.5) cm
Length: 6.5 inches / 16.5 cm

Note: Measure around the palm of your hand above your thumb, and choose a size with zero or very little positive ease.

MATERIALS
Yarn
Jamieson & Smith 2ply Jumper Weight (100 % wool; 125 yd / 114 m per 25g skein);
MC white, shade 1A; 1 skein
CC1 yellow, shade 23; 1 skein
CC2 orange, shade 91; 1 skein
CC3 light brown, shade 3; 1 skein
CC4 dark brown, shade 4; 1 skein

Recommended needle size
US #1.5 / 2.5mm needles for small circumference in the round: traditional or flexible DPNs, 1 long circular for magic loop, or 2 shorter circulars
US #2 / 2.75mm needles for small circumference in the round: traditional or flexible DPNs, 1 long circular for magic loop, or 2 shorter circulars

Notions
spacer a length of smooth similar-weight yarn to hold thumb gusset stitches
spacer yarn needle

GAUGE
26 sts / 38 rounds = 4 inches / 10cm in stockinette stitch on larger needles
30 sts / 34 rounds = 4 inches / 10 cm in colorwork stockinette stitch on larger needles