This mittens are knitted for my good friend and photographer Annika.
One of her favorite fairy tales is “The Wild Swans” (“die wilden Schwäne” in german) by Hans Christian Andersen.
In this fairy tail the princess has to help her brothers who are turned into swans. For them to become human again she has to knit shirts from nettles.

The nettles are represented on the back of the hand and in wool a much saver option then the real thing.

To work the nettle motive the pattern uses the roositud inlay method. You don’t have to know who to work this, I described the method in the pattern, made a little video to help and had the pattern test knitted.
The motiv is giving as a colourwork chart.

Despite the german name the pattern is written in english.

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner

Finished Measurments: Women S, M, L (6, 7, 8 inches / 15, 18, 20 cm hand circumference)

Yarnage: app. 133 yards (120m) in fingering weight for Main Colour and 26 yards (24m) in fingering weight or sports weight in a Contrast Colour for the leaves.

There is a whole collection with fairy tale inspired knits to come, so look out for that if you love fairy tales just like me!