Jackie's Mitts Mittens Knitting Pattern

Jackie's Mitts Mittens Knitting Pattern

Project Overview

Jackie's Mitts is an intermediate-level knitting pattern designed by Patti Waters for Cascade Yarns. This downloadable PDF pattern provides instructions for creating a pair of warm, stylish mittens featuring a charted colorwork design on the back of the hand while maintaining a simple stockinette stitch on the palm side for comfort and practicality.

What You Will Make

This pattern produces a complete pair of mittens with thumbs, sized to measure 7 1/2 inches in total length. The mittens feature an asymmetrical design with charted patterning on one side and a plain knit surface on the other, making them both visually interesting and functional for everyday wear.

Materials Required

The pattern calls for Cascade Yarns Elysian yarn, a blend of 60% Superwash Merino and 40% acrylic. You will need 2 balls of yarn in color #16 (Latigo Bay), with each ball containing 100 grams (3.5 ounces) and 200 meters (219 yards) of yardage. For needles, use US #4 (3.5 mm) double-pointed needles or a circular needle if working using the magic loop method.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Circular knitting: The mittens are constructed in the round using either double-pointed needles or the magic loop technique, which creates seamless fabric and allows for continuous colorwork
• Charted colorwork: The pattern incorporates a chart-based design worked on the back of the hand, requiring the ability to read and follow a knitting chart
• Thumb gusset construction: The thumbs are created using a bind-off and cast-on method with the backwards loop cast-on technique, allowing for a properly fitted thumb opening
• Asymmetrical patterning: One side of each mitt follows the charted pattern while the opposite side (palm) remains in plain knit, demonstrating intermediate-level design understanding

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The pattern primarily uses knit and purl stitches to create texture and structure. The ribbed edge sections use a k1 p1 ribbing (alternating knit and purl stitches) to frame the charted design and provide elasticity at the cuff. The charted pattern on the back of the hand is worked from a provided chart, requiring color changes and careful stitch placement. The palm side is worked in stockinette stitch (knit stitches only when working in the round), providing a smooth, comfortable surface against the hand.

Pattern Construction Details

The mittens begin with a cast-on of 42 stitches worked in the round. The pattern is divided into sections: a k1 p1 ribbed border, a 15-stitch charted pattern section, and additional ribbed stitches on each side. The right and left mittens are worked identically until the thumb opening, at which point the thumb placement differs between the two mittens. The thumb is created by binding off 6 stitches, working subsequent rounds, and then casting those stitches back on using the backwards loop method. The mittens are worked to a finished length of 7 1/2 inches, though the pattern notes that additional length can be added before or after the thumb opening if a larger size is desired, provided you have sufficient yarn yardage.

Yarn Fiber Benefits

The Cascade Yarns Elysian yarn blend offers practical advantages for mittens. The Superwash Merino component provides softness, breathability, and natural temperature regulation, while the acrylic blend adds durability, easy care, and helps reduce pilling. This combination makes the finished mittens suitable for regular wear and machine washing, adding to their everyday practicality.