The leafy design of these mittens were inspired by the Silver Birch (Betula pendula).
Common across most of Northern Europe, the birch is a hardy pioneer species. With a lifespan of a human, it is one of the first trees to appear when land begins to return to forest, it’s roots reaching & gathering scarce nutrients. It’s leaves falling every autumn, recyling nutrients & breaking down to create soil.
In summer its delicate leaves create a fluttering dappled canopy, casting a light shade that allows other plants to grow, supporting many species of birds & animals.
In winter it forms stands of monochrome, white bark slashed with lines of black.
Its leaves give brilliant yellow and its bark soft pink dyes. Its bark, a soft and maleable material is woven and twisted into baskets and ropes.
For many cultures the birch symbolises renewal & purification. Bundles of birch twigs are used in saunas & to drive out the spirits of the old year. Gardeners still use the birch besom, or broom, to cleanse their gardens.
The best of trees.

The mittens are worked using two colour stranded knitting beginning at the cuff with a corrugated rib. The thumb is worked afterthought using a placeholder opening. The pattern has written instructions, the colourwork is charted and not written. These mittens make the perfect project for learning stranded knitting technique.

Size:
One size to fit average hand. Actual circumference 20cm.
Gauge:
30 sts and 34 rounds to 10cm | 4in over stranded colourwork in the round.
Yarn
Main Colour: Fibreworkshop Norfolk horn 4-ply Natural (100% wool / 50g /approx 207m | 226yds)1 skein
Contrast Colour: Fibreworkshop Norfolk Horn natural dyed 4-ply (100% wool 25g / approx 103m | 113yds) 2 skeins (colourway shown Green2)
Yarn substitution
you will need approx MC 200m and CC 200m
Needles: 3mm and 3.25mm dpn or circular needle (suggested needle size only)
Notions: Waste yarn; Stitch markers;needle