Berroco Ruza Mittens Knitting Pattern

Berroco Ruza Knitted Mittens

What is Being Made

The Berroco Ruza pattern creates a pair of fitted knitted mittens designed by Amy Christoffers. These mittens are intentionally crafted with zero or negative ease, making them ideal for layering—they fit comfortably inside larger mittens or worn under fingerless mitts. The finished mittens measure approximately 6½" around the hand and 11½" in length, offering a snug, form-fitting silhouette suitable for intermediate-level knitters.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs in-the-round knitting as its primary construction method, a technique that creates seamless, tubular fabric by working continuously in circular rounds rather than flat rows. The mittens begin with a ribbed cuff worked in the round for elasticity and a secure fit at the wrist. The body is worked in stockinette stitch, providing a smooth, classic fabric. A thumb gusset is strategically shaped using increases to create room for the thumb while maintaining the fitted aesthetic. The gusset is increased gradually over multiple rounds before being divided and set aside on waste yarn for later completion, allowing the main mitten body to be finished first.

Stitches Used

• Knit Through Back Loop (K1TBL): Used in the ribbing rounds to create a twisted, textured cuff that adds visual interest and helps secure the mitten at the wrist
• Purl Through Back Loop (P1TBL): Paired with K1TBL in alternating stitches to form the ribbed cuff pattern
• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The primary stitch for the mitten body, created by knitting every round to produce smooth, even fabric
• Make One Right (M1R) and Make One Left (M1L): Directional increase stitches used to shape the thumb gusset symmetrically, adding stitches on either side of the marked gusset area
• Slip Stitch (sl): Used to transfer stitches to waste yarn for holding the thumb stitches during construction

Materials and Tools

The Berroco Ruza mittens require 1 ball of Berroco Millefiori yarn (100 grams) in colorway #7887 Snapdragon. This yarn weight and fiber content are specifically chosen to achieve the correct gauge and fabric characteristics. Construction requires one set of four double-pointed knitting needles (dpns) in size 6 (4.00 mm), or the size needed to obtain proper gauge. Additional tools include 3 stitch markers—with one in a contrasting color to mark the beginning of each round for easy tracking—waste yarn to temporarily hold thumb stitches, and a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends and seaming any necessary closures. The pattern specifies a gauge of 22 stitches and 32 rounds over 4 inches in stockinette stitch, making gauge checking essential before beginning the project.