Pattern available in English and Danish

Knitting pattern for Ilsa mittens

Ilsa is a mitten designed for full freedom of movement, perfect for tasks like using your phone or other activities without needing to remove the entire mitten. You can choose to keep the mitten “top” on to stay warm while outdoors, and when you need to use your fingers, you can free them through the mitten’s opening—all in one seamless motion. The mitten features faux cables, twisted to the right and left on all ribbed edges, including the mitten and thumb.

In this pattern, you’ll learn a cast-on method that allows you to knit in two directions. Knit these mittens for yourself or gift someone you care about with this stylish and practical design. Ilsa mitten is designed for 2nd advent in December, as part of our 2024 advent calendar

The mittens are knitted in Önling No 3, 100% organic heavy merino wool—the softest and most luxurious merino yarn.

Sizes: Women small (woman large)

Width: 8 (9.5) cm / 3 (3.5) inches
Lenght: 24(26) cm / 9.5 (10) inches

Materials:
100 (100) / 2 balls (2 balls) g Önling No 3, 100% fine organic merino wool, 50 g = approx. 145 yards (133 meters), fingering weight: DK / Worsted

Recommended needles: size 3.5 mm / US 4 in 60 cm / 23.5 inches or 80 cm /31.5 inches

3 stitch markers
Cable needle

Gauge: 23 sts og 34 rows in stockinette on needle size 3 ½ mm / US 4 = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4 inches

Procedure:
The mittens are knitted in the round, starting at the wrist and working towards the fingers, using the magic loop method. Begin with a ribbed edge featuring cables. Continue in stockinette stitch across the hand and set aside stitches for the thumb. After the thumb, ribbing with cables is worked on the underside of the mitten, while the top of the mitten remains in stockinette stitch. The stitches on the underside of the mitten are then bound off, and new stitches are cast on using a provisional cast-on method. The top of the mitten is finished, and the ribbing around the mitten’s opening is completed and sewn in place. To adjust the mitten length, either set aside stitches for the thumb earlier or later and/or knit more or fewer rounds without decreases at the top of the mitten.