You Must Believe in Spring

Named after one of my father’s favourite songs, You Must Believe in Spring and Love, these mittens contrast the cold colours and sharp geometry of winter with the warm colours and floral patterns of spring. My mother has Alzheimer’s and my father (who is legally blind) sings this song regularly for her and the residents of her nursing home.

If you’d like to listen to the song while you knit:
Here’s Abbey Lincoln singing You Must Believe in Spring and Love: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bF2kxIGDe7s
And here’s my father singing it: https://youtu.be/a6hRq5yEGNs

Yarn
Kate Davies Designs Milarrochy Tweed (70% Wool; 30% Mohair; 100m / 109yds per 25g ball)
A Lochan: 2 x 25g balls
B Smirr: 1 x 25g ball
C Hirst: 1 x 25g ball
D Cowslip: 1 x 25g ball

Needles and notions
Gauge-size needle(s) of your preferred type for working small circumferences
Waste yarn (for holding thumb stitches)
Stitch markers
Tapestry needle

Gauge
Small size: 30 sts and 36 rounds to 10cm /4in over colourwork pattern in the round after blocking. Use 2.75mm/U.S. 2 needle as a starting point for swatching.
Large size: 28 sts and 33 rounds to 10cm /4in in colourwork pattern over the round after blocking. Use 3.25 / U.S 3 needle as a starting point for swatching.

Sizes
Small (large) to fit adult hand with 18-19.5cm 7-7.5in (20.5-22cm / 8-8.5 in) circumference
Size is adjusted by achieving the correct gauge for your size.

Special techniques
Provisional cast on

Pattern Notes
These mittens begin with a provisional cast on and a turned hem, with the exterior of the cuff worked following a colourwork chart. The cuff is then folded and joined together and the body of the mitten is worked following a colourwork chart, inserting a gusset for the thumb. Thumb stitches are put on hold while the body of the mitten is completed, and the floral top of the mitten is shaped and finished. The thumb is picked up and completed with a floral top.