Valley Yarns Entablature Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Entablature: Fair Isle Mittens and Headband Set

What Is Being Made

The Entablature pattern by Julie Turjoman is a coordinated pair of companion knitting projects featuring a matching mittens and headband set. Both pieces showcase a clean-lined Fair Isle colorwork design, making them ideal as coordinated gifts or a matching set for personal use. The mittens feature practical "afterthought" thumbs constructed during finishing, while the headband provides a complementary accessory. This design efficiently uses just two skeins of premium yarn—one skein in each color—to complete both the mittens and headband.

Project Specifications

Mittens: Available in three sizes (S, M, L) with palm circumferences of 7¼, 8, and 8¾ inches respectively. Finished length ranges from 8¼ to 8¾ inches depending on size.

Headband: Offered in two size ranges (S/M and M/L) measuring 19¼ and 21½ inches in finished circumference, fitting head circumferences of 18–20 inches and 21–23 inches respectively.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level project employs stranded colorwork (Fair Isle) as its primary decorative technique, worked in the round for seamless construction. The mittens utilize the afterthought thumb method, a practical approach where the thumb is created after the main mitten body is complete by picking up stitches from waste yarn. Both pieces are worked in the round using circular needles and double-pointed needles, eliminating the need for seaming and creating a polished, professional finish.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

• Stranded colorwork pattern: The defining feature of this design, worked from a chart across both mittens and headband. The pattern maintains consistent gauge and tension between the main color and contrasting color.
• Stockinette stitch: Used for solid-color sections between colorwork areas, providing smooth fabric and contrast to the patterned sections.
• I-Cord: Employed for cast-on and bind-off edges on the mittens cuff and headband, creating a neat, finished appearance.
• Ribbing: Implied in the mitten cuff and headband construction for elasticity and fit.

Materials and Yarn

This pattern calls for Valley Yarns Wachusett, a luxurious blend of 70% Merino Wool and 30% Cashmere. The yarn is worked in two colors: Color 200153 Charcoal (main color) and Color 201328 Mint (contrasting color), with one 50-gram ball (163 yards) of each color required. The blend of Merino Wool and Cashmere creates a soft, durable fabric suitable for close-fitting accessories like mittens and headbands.

Needles and Tools

The pattern requires multiple needle sizes to accommodate different sections and gauges:

• US size 8 (5.0 mm): 16-inch and 40-inch circular needles and double-pointed needles for the stranded colorwork sections
• US size 6 (4 mm): 16-inch and 40-inch circular needles and double-pointed needles for plain stockinette sections
• US size 5 (3.75 mm): 16-inch circular needles and double-pointed needles for mitten cuffs and headband I-Cord cast-on and bind-off

Additional materials include stitch markers, waste yarn for the afterthought thumb method, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and finishing.

Gauge and Finishing

Proper gauge is essential for this pattern. The stranded colorwork sections should measure 20 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches when worked on US size 8 needles and blocked. Solid stockinette sections should achieve the same stitch and row count (20 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches) when worked on US size 6 needles and blocked. Blocking the finished pieces ensures even colorwork tension and proper sizing.

Difficulty Level

Rated as Advanced Beginner difficulty, this pattern is suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle stranded colorwork and circular needle techniques. The Fair Isle pattern requires managing