Pay What Works: In an effort to find a balance between more financial accessibility and sustainable pricing, I now offer a “Pay What Works” model. This allows for financial flexibility while still valuing and respecting the work and energy I and others provide in the making of this pattern. The price shown on Ravelry is the “true” value of the pattern that best reflects the work put into creating this design.

To purchase the pattern at a price point that is more accessible to you, use the coupon code at checkout listed next to the price point. The prices indicate the price you will pay, not the discount amount. No coupon code is needed for the highest price point.

AROHA1 - $4.50

AROHA2 - $5.40

AROHA3 - $7.20

NO CODE - $9.00

Please note for those located in Europe that VAT is applied at checkout.

Other ways to support my work is through leaving a tip via Ko-Fi, or becoming a supporter via Patreon.

As sometimes happens in creative industries, I unfortunately found out after publishing this pattern that another designer had posted a similar design several years ago. I tried to contact her, but she has been inactive on Ravelry for several years. Though they have very different inspiration and stories, the designs really are very similar in construction. So, I decided to place the link to her pattern here. I encourage you to check out both and go with the one you connect with the most. Plus hers is free! So, if you have a hard time budgeting for patterns, it is a great opportunity. Now with that said let me introduce my pattern, the Koha Mitts!

Pre-colonization and the advent of money, koha (gift, offering, donation) was the economic lifestyle in Te Ao Māori: a circular economy and redistribution of resources and valuables throughout the community. Nowadays, giving a koha (in the form of money, goods or services) is the practice of bestowing an unconditional gift.

A koha best given is said to mirror the mana of both the giver and the recipient. What the giver is able to give, and the level of appreciation of the recipient.

The Koha Mitts feature a colorwork motif of the Kūmara plant (as identified by the jagged stripes). Someone who is very generous is said to have manaakitanga (hospitality), often demonstrated by the sharing of one’s food or resources with another out of aroha (love, compassion). To respect the mana of yourself and the recipient, this gift is best given to someone who exemplifies the qualities of the Giver Fibre Muse - someone who is selfless and seeks to help others AND is knitworthy!

This Koha can honor their mahi (work) and make them feel loved.

These fingerless mitts are worked in the round, starting from the bottom-up. To form the thumb, a small amount of stitches are cast on and grows through a series of increases as the body of the mitt is worked up. Both the left and right mitt follow the same construction, so this makes for a great beginner’s project for a knitter’s first mitt!

Colorwork motif is charted only.

YARN

• MC yardage: 80 - 90 yds./73 - 83 m. ; CC yardage: 55 - 65 yds./50 - 60 m.
• Heavy fingering/2-ply, 4-ply
• Fiber type and fabric properties (memory, drape, stretch, stitch definition, fuzz, etc.)
• Rauma 2 Tr. Gammelserie (100% Norwegian Wool; 50 g; 175 yds./160 m). 1 ball in 4906 and 1 ball in 4902.

NEEDLES

• US 2 (2.75 mm) and US 3 (3.25 mm) or size to obtain gauge.
• 24 in./60 cm circular needle to work magic loop is recommended, but can be worked with 3 DPNs (two to hold sts, one to work with).

GAUGE

• 32 sts and 32 rnds = 4 in./10 cm

NOTIONS

• Stitch markers
• Darning/tapestry needle
• Scrap yarn or stitch holder

SIZING

• Circumference: 7 (8¾) in./17.5 (22¼) cm
• Length: 9 in./23 cm

Yes!

• This pattern has been tech edited for clarity and corrections. If you require pattern support, email us at fdanoy@arohaknits.com and we will respond to your request within 24-48 hours. We respond to pattern support questions by email ONLY.
• You can sell FOs made from this design to friends and family, as well as in your online or offline shop.

Note: in the photos I am wearing a kirituhi stencil. Kirituhi was initially developed so that non-Māori could get “Māori-inspired” tattoos. For Māori, they are used for kapa haka performances and for wāhine to feel empowered—I use it as a forward expression of my cultural heritage without violating the specific mana and tikanga of tā moko. The mana of kirituhi is safe to wear as it is purposefully made to be a “generic” design.

Māori — Native people of New Zealand

Kirituhi — A Māori-inspired tattoo or marking

Kapa haka — Dance performance

Wāhine — Woman

Mana — Authority

Tā moko — A traditional permanent marking of the body and face