Capture the zeitgeist of 2020, or maybe just lay the year to rest, with these fetching fingerless mitts.

This set of stranded colorwork mitts features a pair of plague doctors on the fronts and two different epitaph options (spicy and mild) for the backs.

The mitts are worked in two contrasting colors of fingering weight yarn and are available in two sizes.

Wear these mitts as a way to remind people to keep their distance, or maybe just to enjoy the plaguecore aesthetic. Either way — keep it spooky, and remember to wash your hands.

Skills & Techniques:

Long-tail cast on, stranded colorwork, working in the round, increases, and picking up stitches. A special tutorial is provided for float management.

Materials Needed:

MC: 135 (150) yds/ 125 (140) m of fingering-weight wool yarn.
CC: 70 (80) yds/ 65 (75) m of fingering-weight wool yarn.

Orange and black mitts used Spun Right Round Classic Sock in Jet (MC) and Teal Torch Knits Sock in Dancing on Top of Cars (CC).

Purple and teal mitts used Boss Kitty Cat’s Cradle in Larkspur (MC) and Cynthia’s Lunchbox (CC).

For a similar effect to the sample, choose a smooth, multi-ply, worsted-spun yarn.

You will also need ~10 stitch markers, some scrap yarn, and a needle for weaving in ends.

Sizes available:

7.5” (8”) / 19 (20) cm palm circumference. Size may be adjusted up or down by varying yarn weight, needle size, or both.

OTHER:

Colorwork motifs are charted only.

Thank you to my amazing testers, to my tech editor, and to the incredible Kate Howland, layout editor extraordinaire, for their assistance in getting this pattern off the ground! I couldn’t have done it without you guys.