Note - This pattern is also available as part of the Powder Day e-book. You can find details about the e-book here.

If you’ve ever seen a Warren Miller movie or been to the ski hill on an epic powder day you have probably seen those hourglass tracks made by those lucky skiers that got out there when it was still fresh. I’ve created a cable that mimics those tracks, another one reminiscent of a lone downhiller “shreddin’ the gnar” as well as one of a skier who couldn’t be bothered to turn at all. I’ve gathered these cables together and smattered them all over some wintery patterns I’m calling the Powder Day Collection. Each pattern is named after one of my favourite powder day ski hills.

The slipped stitches, cables, and thick yarn of these mittens combine to give your hands great insulation on a cold day. The pattern is written from the top down to accommodate various row gauges and hand lengths.

Suggested Yarn
I have recommended an Aran weight yarn and a worsted weight yarn. Mittens made with the Aran yarn will result in a very dense, warm fabric. Those using worsted yarn will be have a looser fabric and more drape.
Worsted: Malabrigo Rios (100% Merino; 210 yds 192 m/3.53 oz 100 g)
MC: 80 (105, 120) yds 75 (95, 110) m of Natural (63).
CC: 55 (70, 80) yds 50 (65, 75) m of Indiecita (416)
Aran: Jil Eaton MinnoMerino (100% Merino; 77 yds 70 m / 1.76 oz 50 g)
MC: 80 (105, 120) yds 75 (95, 110) m of Peacock (4709)
CC: 55 (70, 80) yds 50 (65, 75) m of Icy Blue (4704)
Needles
US# 7 4.5 mm or size needed to get stitch gauge, long circular for magic loop or two circulars.
Notions
Stitch markers, cable needle, tapestry needle
Gauge
22 sts /4” 10 cm in slipped stitch cable pattern. Because of the two different suggested yarn weights and because this stitch pattern leads to very different row gauges for different yarns and knitters, instructions have been written to accommodate different row gauges.
Sizes
Adult S, M, L—Finished palm circumference 7” (8”, 9”) 18 (20.5, 23) cm, designed to fit snuggly with no ease. Length may be adjusted as desired.
Skills Required This is an intermediate to advanced pattern. Some of the techniques required include Judy’s Magic CO, various increases and decreases, slipped stiches and cables, grafting (only 2 sts per mitt), working in the round.

Acknowledgements: Thank you yet again to Eleanor Dixon for technical editing. And a huge thank you to my testers and fellow designers who helped me get this one right.