Variaatio Mittens Knitting Pattern

Variaatio Mittens in Novita Veljest

What is Being Made

The Variaatio Mittens are a pair of women's mittens knitted in the round using the Novita 7 Veljestä yarn. This intermediate-level knitting project features a fitted construction with a thumb gusset and decorative cable patterning on the back of the hand. The mittens are sized for medium women and are designed to be worked on double-pointed needles, creating a seamless, tubular fabric from cuff to fingertip.

Techniques Used

These mittens employ several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques. The project begins with casting on and circular knitting using four double-pointed needles, working in continuous rounds rather than flat rows. A thumb gusset is incorporated through strategic increases worked on every third round, allowing the mitten to fit comfortably around the hand and thumb. The designer, Ronja Södersved, has included options for five different cable patterns (labeled A, B, C, D, and E), each with its own chart and row repeat sequence, adding visual interest to the back of the hand while the palm remains in simpler ribbing.

Stitches Used

• Twisted ribbing: Worked in the round using the pattern *knit 1 through back loop, purl 1*, repeated throughout. This stitch is used for the cuff (first 3 cm) and the palm sections, creating an elastic, textured edge that helps the mittens stay in place on the wrist and hand.
• Stockinette stitch: Knitting all rounds to create a smooth, flat fabric. This stitch is used on the palm and thumb sections after the initial ribbed cuff, providing a comfortable, non-bulky surface against the skin.
• Cable patterns: Five distinct options (Charts A, B, C, D, and E) are provided, each with different row repeats. Chart A and Chart E repeat rows 1–8; Chart B repeats rows 1–24; Chart C repeats rows 1–6; and Chart D repeats rows 1–12. These cables are worked on needles I and II (the back of the hand) while the palm remains in twisted ribbing, creating a decorative contrast.

Materials

The mittens require 100 grams of Novita 7 Veljestä yarn, available in five colorway options: (102) Scilla for cable pattern A, (060) Sand for pattern B, (691) Peat for pattern C, (039) Straw for pattern D, and (010) Off White for pattern E. Needles required are Novita 3.5 mm double-pointed needles (US size 4), or the size needed to achieve the specified gauge, along with a cable needle for manipulating stitches in the cable patterns. The recommended gauge is 22 stitches and 30 rows in stockinette stitch over 10 centimeters (4 inches), ensuring proper fit and fabric drape.

Construction Overview

The mittens are constructed as a pair, with separate instructions for the right and left mittens to ensure proper cable placement. Each mitten begins with casting on 44 stitches divided evenly across four needles (11 stitches per needle). After working 3 centimeters of twisted ribbing at the cuff, the knitter selects one of the five cable patterns and begins working it on the back-of-hand needles while maintaining twisted ribbing on the palm. At 9 centimeters total length, the palm switches to stockinette stitch for comfort. The thumb gusset is then increased systematically, with 2 stitches increased every third round for a total of 6 increase rounds, creating 14 stitches for the thumb opening. Once the gusset increases are complete, 2 stitches are cast on to close the gap, and knitting continues to the fingertip.