Swans Island Bailey Island Mitts Gloves Knitting Pattern

Swans Island Bailey Island Mitts

What is Being Made

The Bailey Island Mitts are fingerless mitts designed as an intermediate-level knitting project. These mitts feature an open-hand design that leaves the fingers exposed while providing warmth and coverage to the palm, back of hand, and wrist area. The finished mitts are available in three sizes: Small (6¼" hand circumference, 9¼" length), Medium (6¾" hand circumference, 9½" length), and Large (7½" hand circumference, 9¾" length).

Construction Techniques

The Bailey Island Mitts are worked seamlessly in the round using the bottom-up construction method. This approach means knitters begin at the cuff and work upward toward the hand opening, creating a garment without seams. Working in the round on double-pointed needles ensures a continuous, tubular fabric that requires minimal finishing.

The pattern incorporates cable techniques as a primary design element. Cables are created by crossing groups of stitches over one another using a cable needle, producing the distinctive twisted, rope-like texture that characterizes these mitts. The cable panel serves as a focal point, running vertically along the back of the hand.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Bailey Island Mitts employ several key stitches and stitch patterns:

• Stockinette Stitch – The primary stitch used for the body of the mitts. In circular knitting, stockinette is created by knitting every stitch in every round, producing a smooth, V-textured fabric on the right side.
• 1x1 Twisted Rib – Used for the cuff, this ribbed pattern alternates knit-through-the-back-loop stitches with purl stitches. Twisted rib creates a more refined, elastic edge that sits close to the wrist and resists rolling.
• Cable Crosses – Multiple cable techniques are featured in the 36-stitch-wide cable panel:
  • 2/2 Left Cross (2/2LC) – Two stitches crossed over two stitches, leaning left
  • 2/2 Right Cross (2/2RC) – Two stitches crossed over two stitches, leaning right
  • 3/1 Left Purl Cross (3/1LPC) – Three knit stitches crossed over one purl stitch, leaning left
  • 3/1 Right Purl Cross (3/1RPC) – One purl stitch crossed over three knit stitches, leaning right
  • 3/3 Left Cross (3/3LC) – Three stitches crossed over three stitches, leaning left
  • 3/3 Right Cross (3/3RC) – Three stitches crossed over three stitches, leaning right

These cable crosses are arranged in a charted pattern that creates visual interest and texture. The cable panel measures approximately 2¾ inches wide and is positioned prominently on the mitt.

Materials and Tools

The Bailey Island Mitts are knitted using Swans Island Natural Colors Collection yarn in a fingering weight (also called sock weight). The yarn is composed of 100% Organic Merino Wool, providing softness, breathability, and natural elasticity. One skein of yarn (100 grams, 525 yards) is sufficient to complete both mitts. The colorway shown in the pattern is Charcoal (YF113).

Knitters will need US size 2 (2.75mm) double-pointed needles in a set of five, or the size needed to achieve the correct gauge. Additional tools required include a cable needle for manipulating the cable stitches, stitch markers to denote pattern sections and round beginnings, waste yarn for holding stitches, and a yarn needle for weaving in ends.

Gauge and Fit

The pattern specifies a gauge of 8¾ stitches and 13 rows per inch in stockinette stitch. The 36-stitch cable panel measures approximately 2¾ inches wide at this gauge. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the intended finished dimensions and proper fit around the hand and wrist.