As knitters we hold the power to create stuff in our hands. Sometimes we have to frog, but mostly we make things rather than destroy them. Let’s blow up the idea that destruction is more powerful than creation. Boom! Dyna Mitts, designed to look like bundled sticks of dynamite, and keep your hands warm while active.

These close fitting, fingerless mitts have a gusset and short thumb. Knitted in the round from the cuff and throughout the hand, with ribbed edges to prevent rolling. Both hands worked alike, but encouraged to become a pair (with a left and right hand) during the blocking process.

The sticks of dynamite are in effect worked like corrugated rib, with the red sticks being knitted (or ribbed) and the black lines between them being purled (after the set-up round). To keep the gauge consistent for aesthetic reasons, the bands that encircle the sticks of dynamite are worked using Marlisle. By working some stitches in black only and others using black and red together, the overall effect is of a dark band. Not as dark as if the band was worked only in black, but if you worked the bands in a single colour, it would create a thinner fabric that was noticeably looser in gauge than the sticks. If worked in standard stranded colourwork, the red would be more of a feature. Using Marlisle means that the bands sit slightly raised and flat on top of the sticks, as if actually holding them together.

Marlisle is simple. There are sections you ‘marl’, meaning you form your stitches using both yarns held together and sections you ‘isle’, as in fairisle, as in stranded colourwork. To work the ‘isle’ stitches, you use one yarn only and let the other yarn float at the back, exactly as you do with standard stranded colourwork.

SIZING
S (M, L) – pictured in size S
Designed to be worn with slight negative ease around the Hand.

Sizing Note: The long floats on the inside of these mitts will contribute significantly to their fit. If you know you are inclined to tight floats, chose a larger size to accommodate for a reduction of stretch in the knit. Equally, if you know you have loose floats, go with a smaller size. Having a range of three sizes gives you a good idea of how to size up and down, should an even larger or smaller pair be desired.

MEASUREMENTS
Hand circumference: 16 (18.5, 20)cm/6½ (7¼, 8)”
Length: 14 (15, 15)cm/ 5½ (6, 6)”

YARN
Old Maiden Aunt Yarns, Shetland 4ply (4ply/fingering; 100% Shetland; 183m/200y per 50g/1¾oz)

Yarn A: lip gloss x 1
Yarn B: to the black x 1

Note: If you are looking to squeak a pair out of oddments or a mini skein, it is likely you can make a full pair with just 25g/1oz of Yarn B. You will certainly need more Yarn A for size M and L, so you are safest allowing yourself the full specified amount.

GAUGE
26 stitches x 34 rounds = 10cm x 10cm/4”x4” over Sticks stitch pattern after blocking.

SUGGESTED NEEDLES
3.5mm (US4) needles suitable for working small circumferences in the round.
Always use a needle size that will result in the correct gauge after blocking.

NOTIONS
stitch marker
tapestry needle

Pssssst - The photographs in the pattern show the full picture of a fuse and flame painted on the middle finger - to light the dynamite. If a middle finger erected in such a way is something that might offend you, you are warned to steer clear of this pattern, unless you enjoy being offended.