5 for 4 – if you buy any 5 Åsa Tricosa patterns at the same time you get the least expensive one for free.

Originally designed for Villavyyhti’s Great Finnish Yarn Club Autumn 2013

Ilma is knitted top-down from an easy-peasy winding cast on in the softest, squishiest yarn, Ilmarinen from Knitlob’s Lair.

Stripes in a few directions serve the general good.

A travelling cable creates a nice detail on the back of the hand – with more stripes. For more general good.

A thumb gusset makes for a nice fit, and the generous double cuff keeps your wrists snug and warm.

The quirk: You wind on stitches also for the gusset. Not to worry. It’s easy. And there’s a photo tutorial for guidance.

The pattern is written with Magic Loop in mind, but the mitten can be worked equally well on dpns or 2 circulars (you’ll still need circulars for the cast ons).

Techniques linked to in the pattern:

• Winding Cast On
• Magic Loop
• Cable without Cable Needle
• Colour Stranding
• 3-Needle Cast Off

Oh, and Ilma has a relative, the Ilma hat.

Yarn quantities: Two skeins – one of each colour – is plenty for the set (hat & mittens). I think there’s even enough leftover for a headband. Possibly.

To find out what’s up my knitted sleeve, you may sign up for the occasional Åsa Tricosa Newsletter here.