Virginia Mitts Mittens Knitting Pattern

Virginia Mitts in Blue Sky Fibers Baby Alpaca

What Is Being Made

The Virginia Mitts are a pair of coordinating, color-blocked mittens designed by Virginia Sattler-Reimer. This mismatched pair features two mittens worked in contrasting color sequences, making them a fun and visually interesting accessory. Each mitten is worked individually using a different arrangement of five coordinating colors, creating a striking striped effect. The finished mittens measure 5 inches in circumference and 12 inches in height, making them suitable for a single size.

Techniques Used

These mittens are worked in the round from the cuff up using the magic loop or double-pointed needle method. The construction begins at the ribbed cuff and progresses upward through the hand section before completing the thumb. The pattern employs color blocking and stranded colorwork techniques, with each mitten following a distinct color sequence to create the coordinating yet mismatched aesthetic. The mittens are constructed seamlessly, eliminating the need for finishing seams.

Stitches Used

• K2, P2 Rib: The primary stitch pattern used throughout the cuff and body of the mittens. This reversible ribbed texture is worked on a multiple of 4 stitches, alternating knit and purl stitches in each round to create vertical columns of texture.
• Knit (k): The fundamental stitch used in the ribbed pattern and throughout the mitten construction.
• Purl (p): Used in combination with knit stitches to create the K2, P2 ribbed texture.
• Knit 2 Together (k2tog): A decrease stitch used for shaping.
• Purl 2 Together (p2tog): A decrease stitch used for shaping.
• Make One Left (M1L): An increase stitch used to add stitches during construction.

Materials and Tools

These mittens are crafted from Blue Sky Fibers Baby Alpaca, a luxurious 100% baby alpaca yarn. The pattern requires five coordinating hanks of this yarn: one hank each of colors A, B, C, D, and E. The specific colors shown in the pattern include Denim, Dijon, Toasted Almond, Cornflower, and Streaky Brown, though the pattern is adaptable to other color combinations from the Blue Sky Fibers palette.

Construction requires Size 2 (2.75mm) double-pointed needles or the size necessary to achieve the specified gauge. Additional tools include a stitch holder for managing stitches during thumb construction, stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and round beginnings, and a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends after completion.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern is designed to achieve a gauge of 40 stitches and 34 rounds over 4 inches when worked in K2, P2 Rib. This gauge is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements of 5 inches in circumference and 12 inches in height. The mittens are sized as a single size suitable for average adult hands.

Color Sequences

The pattern creates visual interest through two distinct color sequences, one for each mitten. Mitten #1 begins with Color A for the cuff (rounds 1–14), progresses through Color B (rounds 15–44), Color C (rounds 45–66), Color D (rounds 67–89), and finishes with Color E (rounds 90–102), with the thumb worked in Color D. Mitten #2 reverses this sequence, starting with Color E (rounds 1–28), followed by Color D (rounds 29–42), Color C (rounds 43–59), Color B (rounds 60–81), and Color A (rounds 82–102), with the thumb worked in Color B. This reversal creates the coordinating yet mismatched appearance characteristic of the design.

Experience Level

The Virginia Mitts are rated as Advanced Beginner difficulty. While the pattern uses fundamental knitting techniques and straightforward stitch patterns, working in the round with double-pointed needles and managing color changes requires some experience beyond absolute beginner level. The K2, P2 ribbed pattern is relatively simple to execute, making this an excellent project for knitters developing their skills in circular knitting and color work.