My kiddo loves echidnas and asked for mittens that look like an echidna— and so I had to make them.

100% of the proceeds from this pattern will be contributed to WIRES, the NSW Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service Inc., Australia’s largest wildlife rescue organization. WIRES is rescuing and caring for as many sick, injured and orphaned native animals as possible.

NOTA BENE:

• This mitten is knit in the round from cuff to fingertips, using increases to shape the thumb gusset. With an optional mitten flap, a thumbless hand puppet version, 10 sizes from infant to men’s L, suggestions for a niffler variation, and a beakless (hedgehog, anyone?) version, there are tons of options!

• If using the flap mitten option, the flap is worked flat and rejoined in the round, and the side seams are sewn closed in finishing.

• The shaping at the top is designed to look like a face and differs from a typical mitten shaping. The thumb is worked last.

• To make an echidna puppet, you omit the thumb gusset, work a round with increases, knit to the recommended length for size, and complete the top of the mitten as directed.

SIZING
0-2y (2-4y, 4-6y, 6-8y, 8y-12y, teen/women’s S, women’s M, women’s L/men’s S, men’s M, men’s L)
Finished hand circumference: approx. 4.25 (5.25, 6, 6.25, 6.5, 7, 7.25, 7.5, 8, 9)” / 11 (13.5, 15, 16, 16.5, 17.5, 18.5, 19, 20.5, 22) cm

YARN
Main Color: approximately 45 (50, 60, 75, 105, 125, 145, 170, 195, 220) yds worsted weight yarn in medium to dark brown
Contrast Color: approx. 5 (6, 7, 7, 8, 8, 9, 9, 10, 10) yds fingering/sock yarn in medium brown
Beak Color and Sewn Eyes: approx. 4 yds fingering/sock in grey/black (all sizes)
Sample shown knit with Brooklyn Tweed Shelter in ‘Meteorite’ (MC), Sweet Georgia Yarns Tough Love Sock in ’Auburn’ (CC), and Onion Yarns Nettle Sock in ‘1002 Charcoal’ (Beak Color).

GAUGE
11 sts and 19 rows = 2” /5 cm in stockinette st on largest needles
14 sts and 16 rows = 2”/ 5 cm in pattern st on largest needles
16 sts and 13 rows = 2” / 5 cm with sock yarn in stockinette st on middle size needles

NEEDLES
US 6 / 4mm, DPNs
US 2 / 2.75mm, DPNs
US 1 / 2.25mm. DPNs

NOTIONS/TOOLS
Blunt needle
Stitch markers
Waste yarn
2 black round beads for nose and thread (optional)

SKILLS
Essential: knit and purl; cast on and bind off;
Acquired during the project for the adventurous beginning knitter: a stretchy cast on; knit through the back loop; increases; several types of decreases; seaming; weaving in ends;
Optional: sewing on a button, making a mitten with a flap.