Mega-Plaid Mitts in Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash Sport - Free

Mega-Plaid Mitts in Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash Sport

What Is Being Made

The Mega-Plaid Mitts are a pair of knitted mittens designed for adult hands, available in two sizes: Adult Medium with 7 ½" hand circumference and 7" length, or Adult Large with 8 ½" hand circumference and 8" length. These are finished accessories created using the in-the-round knitting method on double-pointed needles, resulting in seamless, wearable mittens.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several key techniques. The mittens are worked in the round using double-pointed needles, which allows for seamless construction. The pattern incorporates stranded colorwork to create the plaid effect, with knitters working multiple colors across rounds to build the geometric pattern. Additionally, the design features a specialized crochet chain stripe technique, which is worked after the main knitting is complete. This decorative finishing method involves using a crochet hook to create chain stitches along purl columns at the bottom edge of the mitts, adding visual definition and texture to the plaid design. The crochet chain stripes are worked with color A (Ganache) pulled through the existing knit fabric from back to front, creating a dimensional embellishment.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch structure is Stockinette Stitch, which forms the base fabric and is worked in the round. The pattern also incorporates purl stitches that create vertical columns, which serve as the foundation for the crochet chain stripe embellishment. Shaping is achieved through strategic increases using Make 1 Left (M1L), Make 1 Right (M1R), and Make 1 Purlwise (M1P) techniques. These increases are performed by lifting the strand between needles and knitting or purling through the back or front loop as appropriate. The pattern also uses standard knitting abbreviations including Knit (K), Purl (P), and Bind Off (BO) for finishing edges.

Materials and Tools

The Mega-Plaid Mitts are crafted from Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash Sport, a yarn composed of 100% Superwash Merino Wool. Each skein contains 1.75 ounces (50 grams) and provides 136 yards (125 meters) of yardage. The project requires three color skeins:

• Color A: #292 (Ganache) – 1 skein
• Color B: #226 (Aurora Red) – 1 skein
• Color C: #827 (Coral) – 1 skein

Needles and notions include US 4 (3.5 mm) double-pointed needles in a set of 4 or 5, used for the ribbed cuff, and US 6 (4.0 mm) double-pointed needles in a set of 4 or 5 for the main body of the mittens. A size F (3.75 mm) crochet hook is essential for the crochet chain stripe finishing technique. Additional supplies include a yarn needle for weaving in ends, 3 stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats, and stitch markers or waste yarn for holding stitches. The recommended gauge is 26 stitches and 35 rows per 4 inches (10 centimeters) in Stockinette Stitch.

Pattern Overview

The stripe pattern creates the plaid effect through strategic color changes across multiple rounds. The sequence includes 10 to 11 rounds in Color B (Aurora Red), followed by 6 to 7 rounds in Color C (Coral), then 3 rounds in Color A (Ganache), continuing with 6 to 7 rounds in Color C, and additional color blocks to complete the design. This methodical color work, combined with the purl columns and subsequent crochet chain embellishment, produces the distinctive mega-plaid appearance that gives these mittens their name.