Rachel Brown Jubilee Mitts Gloves Knitting Pattern

Rachel Brown Jubilee Mitts: Fingerless Lace Knit Gloves

What Is Being Made

The Jubilee Mitts are a pair of fingerless mitts designed to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's coronation. These quick lacy mitts keep hands warm during unexpected cold spells while allowing full finger mobility. The design comes in three sizes—small, medium, and large—with circumferences of approximately 6, 7, and 8 inches respectively when unstretched.

Knitting Techniques

The Jubilee Mitts are worked seamlessly in the round, a technique that eliminates the need for seaming and creates a smooth, professional finish. The mitts are knit from the bottom up, combining multiple construction methods within a single project. Lace knitting forms the primary decorative element, making this an ideal first lace project for adventurous advanced beginners. The pattern incorporates a garter stitch edging at the cuff for a finished look and structural stability, while a stockinette thumb gusset provides comfort and a smooth fit around the thumb area.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques Used

This pattern requires foundational knitting skills including casting on, working in the round, and basic stitch manipulation. The specific stitches and techniques employed are:

• Knit and purl stitches for creating stockinette and garter stitch sections
• Yarn overs (yo) for creating the openwork lace pattern
• Decreases including knit 2 together (k2tog), purl 2 together (p2tog), slip-slip-knit (ssk), and pass slipped stitch over (psso) to shape the lace and reduce stitches
• Increases using make one (M1) and knit into front and back (kfb) techniques for the thumb gusset shaping

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The pattern calls for sportweight yarn with a recommended yardage of approximately 140 yards for small, 150 yards for medium, and 160 yards for large. The original design uses The Fibre Company Canopy Fingering (previously called Sport), a blend of 50% alpaca, 30% merino, and 20% bamboo. This fiber composition creates a mitt suitable for various climates: the bamboo content provides breathability and coolness for warmer months, while the merino and alpaca add warmth and softness. The pattern notes suggest choosing a bamboo or cotton blend yarn for a cooler mitt, or upgrading to luxury wool/silk or wool/cashmere blends for an extra special pair.

Knitting needles should be US 3 (3.25 mm), or the size required to achieve proper gauge. The recommended gauge is approximately 24 stitches and 40 rows per 4 inches in the lace pattern.

Additional Notions and Tools

Beyond yarn and needles, knitters will need at least 3 stitch markers to track pattern repeats and shaping points, waste yarn for holding stitches, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends after completion.

Pattern Difficulty and Skill Level

The Jubilee Mitts are designed as an excellent introduction to lace knitting for advanced beginners willing to take on a new challenge. The combination of seamless construction, lace patterning, and shaping techniques provides valuable skill-building experience while remaining achievable for knitters ready to expand their technical repertoire.