Valley Yarns Olivenhain Fingerless Mitts Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Olivenhain Fingerless Mitts

What Is Being Made

The Olivenhain Fingerless Mitts are an elegant, practical hand accessory designed by Irina Anikeeva. These mitts feature a sophisticated combination of cable and lace botanical patterning, offering both style and functionality. The name "Olivenhain" means "Olive grove" in German, reflecting the nature-inspired design aesthetic. The mitts are sized to fit palm circumferences of 6.5–7" or 7–8" and measure 15.25" long after blocking, providing coverage from the wrist well up the forearm while leaving the fingers free for dexterity and touch-screen use.

Techniques Used

These fingerless mitts are constructed using three primary knitting techniques that create their distinctive appearance and structure:

• Seamless construction: The mitts are worked in the round from the cuff upward, eliminating the need for seaming and creating a smooth, professional finish.
• Lace work: Delicate lace patterning is integrated throughout the design, adding visual interest and breathability to the accessory.
• Cable knitting: Two separate cable charts guide the creation of textured cable panels that form the primary decorative element. Cable Chart 1 is worked over 28 rounds, followed by Cable Chart 2 which is repeated and worked over multiple rounds. The cable panel measures 3" wide after blocking and is positioned prominently on each mitt.

Additionally, the pattern incorporates a thumb gusset that is shaped using strategic increases (M1L and M1R increases) worked over multiple rounds, allowing the mitt to fit comfortably around the thumb while maintaining the integrity of the cable and lace patterns.

Stitches Used

The Olivenhain Fingerless Mitts employ a range of fundamental and intermediate knitting stitches:

• Stockinette stitch: Forms the base fabric and background, worked in the round as knit stitches.
• Ribbing: A K1tbl (knit one through the back loop) and purl one ribbing creates the cuff, worked for 5 rounds to establish elasticity and structure at the wrist.
• Purl stitches: Used strategically throughout the pattern, particularly in the setup rounds and to frame the cable panels.
• Cable stitches: Created using a cable needle to cross stitches over one another, forming the raised twisted patterns shown in Cable Charts 1 and 2.
• Lace stitches: Yarn overs and decreases (including k2tog, knit two together) create the openwork lace elements that complement the cables.
• Increase stitches: M1P (make one purl), M1L (make one left), and M1R (make one right) are used for shaping the thumb gusset without creating visible holes.

Materials and Tools

The Olivenhain Fingerless Mitts are knit using Valley Yarns Huntington, a high-quality blend of 75% Superwash Merino wool and 25% Nylon. This fiber composition provides softness, durability, and easy care. Approximately 280 yards of yarn is required, which is contained in 2 skeins of the 218 yards per 50-gram standard. The pattern calls for the color Sunset, which provides a warm, earthy tone.

Construction requires US 1 (2.25 mm) double-pointed needles, or the size needed to achieve the specified gauge of 32 stitches and 38 rounds over 4" in Stockinette stitch after blocking. Additional tools include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and the thumb gusset placement, a cable needle for manipulating cable stitches, a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, and waste yarn for temporarily holding stitches during the thumb opening.

Difficulty Level

Rated as an intermediate project, the Olivenhain Fingerless Mitts require solid foundational knitting skills including proficiency with double-pointed needles, working in the round, reading cable charts, and executing increases and decreases. The combination of cables, lace, and shaping makes this an ideal project for knitters seeking to expand their technical abilities beyond basic stockinette and ribbing.