Birch Leaves on a Forest Trail is a lovely Skolt Sami knitted mitten in both adult and child sizes. This traditional pattern combines the diamond shaped “birch leaf” motif with the ambling, zigzag “forest trail.” This advanced level mitten requires three yarns, with only used per row. The mitten begins with a two-color, twisted Kierrekerros cast on. Four more sets of Kierrekerros trim follow. Instructions include optional short-row directions to create the traditional cupped thumb and mitten tip. Finally, a rounded, four-strand braid finishes off the cuff. Pictured mitten is the smaller size.

Birch Leaves on a Forest Trail mittens are based on a pair of mittens currently held by the National Museum of Finland. The original mittens were knit by Skolt Sami master craftswoman Marfa Orttonen of Tsarmijärvi, near Nellim, Finland (spelled Martha in the museum’s notes)
and obtained in 1978. In 2017, the Finnish government announced its intent to return 2,600 items to Lapland, specifically the Sámi Museum Siida in Inari, Finland, as soon as the facility can handle the large influx of artifacts. The museum is now undergoing expansion.

FINISHED SIZE 7 ¾ (9 ½) in 19.5 (24) cm long and 3 ¾ (4) in 9.5 (10) cm wide, 7 ½ (8) in 19 (20) cm circumference after blocking, not including the braid

YARN Rauma Finullgarn (100% Norwegian 2-ply wool yarn, fingering weight; 191 yards 175m /50g 1.75 oz. ball); colors: two balls in #400 white (MC), small amounts of #418 red (CC1) and #438 blue (CC2)

NEEDLES Set of 5 double pointed, size US 1 / 2 mm, or size needed to obtain gauge

NOTIONS Scrap of smooth waste yarn for thumb, tapestry needle and markers

GAUGE: 16 sts x 20 r = 2 in / 5 cm over stranded pattern, worked in the round and blocked