These mittens are inspired by the pops of green that sprout when trees begin to bud, while the memory of snow is still fresh in our minds. The lace motif of a budding tree in the cuff is echoed in the stranded pattern on the top of the hand. Combining the delicacy of lace with the grounded substance of stranded colourwork results in a mitten that is perfect for wearing on a chilly spring evening.

Degree of Difficulty
This pattern is suitable for an intermediate knitter with some experience working with charts and knitting in the round. The lace cuff has a simple garter stitch border or optional Latvian braids. Designer tips are provided for those who are new to stranded colourwork.

Size
Women’s medium

Techniques used in pattern:
• Stranded colourwork
• Knitting in the round
• Knitting from a chart
• Latvian braid (optional)
• Increase stitches (make one left and make one right)
• Decrease stitches (Slip, slip, knit and knit two together)
• Kitchener stitch

Materials:
Knit Picks Palette fingering weight yarn (100% Peruvian Highland Wool, 231 yards/50 grams)
• 1 ball main colour (MC) in White; 1 ball contrast colour (CC) in Peapod - for version with Latvian braid cuff. (Cream and Rainforest Heather for version with garter stitch cuff)

Needles: set of 5, 2.25 mm (US#1) double-pointed needles (DPNs); or one 2.25 mm (US#1), 100 cm (40 inch) long circular needle, if you prefer to use the Magic Loop method, or size needed to get gauge.

Tapestry needle for finishing.

Length of smooth, contrasting colour waste yarn to hold thumb stitches.

Gauge
10.5 stitches and 11 rows/ 2.54 cm (1 inch) over stranded pattern, knit in the round.

Finished Measurements
19 cm (7.5 inches) circumference around fingers
28.5 cm (11.25 inches) from bottom of cuff to top of fingers; 20.5 cm (8 inches) from wrist to top of fingers

Note: This pattern uses 56 stitches around the wrist and 80 stitches around the top of the hand.