Rowan Quell Mittens Knitting Pattern

Rowan Quell Mittens by Lisa Richardson

What Is Being Made

Rowan Quell is a pair of seamless knitted mittens designed by Lisa Richardson. These mittens feature a classic construction with a shaped thumb and fitted cuff, worked entirely in the round using double-pointed needles for a polished, professional finish without seams.

Craft and Construction Method

This is a knitting project worked seamlessly in the round, eliminating the need for finishing seams. The mittens are constructed from the cuff upward, with the thumb worked separately and then integrated into the main hand section. This method ensures a comfortable, continuous fit and is ideal for mittens that require a snug, seamless appearance.

Techniques Used

• Cables: Cable techniques are incorporated into the design for textural interest and visual appeal
• Seamless construction: Worked entirely in rounds on double-pointed needles to eliminate seams
• Thumb gusset shaping: Uses increases and decreases to create a properly fitted thumb opening
• Ribbed cuff: A knit-purl rib pattern (K1, P2 repeat) creates an elastic, form-fitting cuff that sits comfortably at the wrist
• Stockinette stitch body: The main hand section is worked in stockinette stitch for a smooth, classic finish
• Top shaping: Strategic decreases at the crown (slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over, and knit 2 together) taper the mitt to a neat finish

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch (st st): The primary stitch for the hand and thumb sections, creating a smooth V-pattern fabric
• Ribbed stitch: Knit 1, Purl 2 (K1, P2) repeat forms the textured, elastic cuff
• Cable stitches: Incorporated for decorative texture throughout the design
• Decreases: Slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over (sl 1, K1, psso) and knit 2 together (K2tog) for shaping
• Increases: Make 1 (M1) increases used for thumb gusset expansion

Materials and Specifications

Yarn: This pattern uses Rowan Cashmere Haze in two colorways held together as one strand:

• Yarn A: Polar Night 703 – 1 x 25gm
• Yarn B: Sunrise 702 – 1 x 25gm

The two strands are held together throughout most of the pattern, creating a richer, more textured fabric. The combination of these two colors produces a sophisticated, heathered appearance.

Needles: The pattern requires two sets of double-pointed needles:

• Set of 4 double-pointed 5mm (US 8) needles – used for the main mitt body and initial cast-on
• Set of 4 double-pointed 4½mm (US 7) needles – used for the ribbed cuff section

Tension: 19 stitches and 26 rounds to 10 cm (4 inches) measured over stockinette stitch using 5mm (US 8) needles with 2 strands of yarn held together. Achieving correct tension is essential for proper fit and finished dimensions.

Pattern Specifications

Stitch Count and Shaping: The mittens begin with 36 cast-on stitches distributed evenly over three needles. The ribbed cuff is worked for 7 cm before transitioning to the stockinette body. Thumb gusset increases create additional stitches (reaching 48 stitches at the widest point), which are then decreased strategically to shape the thumb opening. The hand section is worked for 21 rounds before top shaping begins, with decreases worked every other round to taper the mitt crown to a neat finish. The thumb is worked separately over 11 rounds before being closed with a final thread-through technique.

Pattern Reference: ZM662-00003-UK v.1