** This pattern was part of my Icelandic Yarn Club 4 and is now available as a single pattern PDF.**

There are many different types of traditional mittens in Iceland. They were knitted with fine handspun Icelandic yarns. Some of them featured repetition of little motifs in stranded knitting, making for a very thick and warm fabric and ensuring that the hands kept warm and toasty in the Icelandic weather. Some mittens had decreases for the hands, not on both sides of the palm, but within each pattern repeat, thus there was no left or right mitten. A double gousset, opening out from the cuff to the base of the thumb and then closing again around the hand, was also a thing and ensured that the mittens were very well fitted.
I retained all those elements in my Hlýir (warm) mittens that also feature a double cuff with the motif from the hand on the outside and hidden ribbing on the inside. This makes for an exquisite picot edging but mostly a snug close fit which ensures that no snow, rain or icy wind will enter them.
Who said you can’t be fancy and comfortable?

Size: one size. You can achieve more sizes by changing needle size (2.25 to 3.25 mm / US 1 to 3 are suitable sizes) but also adjust the circumference by adding or withdrawing repeats of the 6 sts motif and adjust length by adding or removing rnds of motifs.

Finished measurements
Hand circumference (just above thumb): 20 cm / 7.75”
Total length: 23 cm / 9”
Length from thumb to tip: 10.5 cm / 4.25”
Thumb circumference: 8 cm / 3.25”
Thumb length: 6.5 cm / 2.5”

Gauge: 10 cm / 4” = 30 sts and 34 rounds in stranded pattern on 3 mm / US 2 ½ needle.

Yarn: Lace, light fingering suitable for colorwork and mittens

Yarn used in sample: Grýla Tvíband from Hélène Magnússon, pure new wool, 100% Icelandic sheep wool, lace/light fingering, 2-ply, 25 g / skein = approx. 112 m/ 123 yds
MC: purple, 1 skein (81 m / 89 yds used)
CC1: red, 1 skein (49 m / 54 yds used)
CC2: pink, 1 skein (45 m / 49 yds used)

Total yardage: 175 m/ 192 yds

Needles: size 3 mm / US 2 ½ circular needle (using Magic loop) or DPN’s. Adjust needle size as necessary to obtain correct gauge.

Notions: markers, darning needle, mitten form to block