Chapped hands and perpetually dry skin are a mainstay of winter in many part of the world. Hand-coverings - mittens, gloves, mitts or a luxurious fur muff - are our only defence and protection. But, I’m something of a pragmatist and, confronted with anything that requires too much fuss, I’m likely to forego the whole lot of nonsense altogether. It is this pragmatism that leans me in favour of the mitt, with fingers left free to rummage for keys or to open a bottle, as the most practical of winter hand protection.

Pragmatic or not, I will always whine and whinge if I do get a little too cold. For that reason, I have opted to work these mitts in a generous, undyed DK; the use of a simple colour-work motif ensures that both colours are carried around the body of the mitt, providing added warmth and a degree of cushiness. Cushiness is desirable in this case, I believe.

The inspiration for the arrow motif and the name of the mitts came from an area of Bristol I regularly walk through where the streets are named for the points of a compass. I always track the sun to see if these streets really do face the direction for which they are named.

• 2 x 25g balls (50g total) of Naked Wool Shetland DK in Warm Faun (MC) or equivalent DK weight yarn.
• 1 x 25g ball of Naked Wool Shetland DK in Bold Black (CC) or equivalent DK weight yarn.

Naked Wool available from: http://www.nakedwool.co.uk