In the first-of-its-kind knitting pattern, renowned author Barbara Kingsolver has partnered with Knitrino to bring you a pattern centered around Barbara’s novel The Lacuna. In this imaginative novel, Barbara Kingsolver takes us on an epic journey from the Mexico of artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo to the America of Pearl Harbor, FDR, and J. Edgar Hoover. And among the backdrop of history filled with colorful characters, there is a knitter in the tale.

The Lacuna Mitts pattern imagines what this character might have knit, living through these tumultuous events, and who she might have knit for. The design was originally planned as a mystery , one section at a time, into a painting-like motif to reveal some of the best parts of the story. Now that it has been revealed you can see the flowers & Howler monkeys adoring the front, and when you turn your palms together you’ll see Frida’s famous brows and flower crown.

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You can purchase The Lacuna from your local bookstore, or get the audiobook through our friends at Libro.fm, who make it possible for you to buy audiobooks through your local bookstore, giving you the power to keep money within your local economy, create jobs, and make a difference in your community. Sign up for your membership now, or use code KNITRINO at Libro.fm for 40% off a one-time purchase of The Lacuna.

Mystery Knit Along: What’s a mystery knit along, or an MKAL? It’s a project where you don’t know what you’re knitting until the end! When you buy the pattern, you won’t be able to start knitting until the MKAL begins. The pattern will be launched one “clue” or section at a time, beginning March 10.

Size and Fit: Like a painting, these mitts are a work of art with no repeated motifs throughout. Because of this, additional sizes can only be accomplished by changing gauge. The Smaller Size is knit on US 1.5/2.5 mm needles and yields a mitt that is about 8”/20 cm in circumference. The Larger Size is knit on US 2.5/3 mm, and yields a mitt of about 9.5”/24 cm in circumference. To choose your size, measure your hand circumference at the widest point and your “low wrist” circumference 3” below the wrist bone. If either is larger than 9.25”/23 cm, you may wish to choose the larger size. For those needing even more positive ease, these mitts can also be knit on US 3/3.25 mm needles for a 10”/25 cm circumference.

Construction Notes: These mitts are knit from the bottom up and can be worn scrunched up around the wrist or long. The mitts feature an “afterthought” thumbhole, where stitches are placed on hold using waste yarn and worked after the mitt is complete. Some sections have long stretches where the second color is unused, and the floats should be locked or trapped to ensure proper tension. If you’re new to afterthought thumbs or this type of colorwork, never fear! Knitrino includes videos for every technique, and a pattern guide with additional tips and tricks is available here.

Color Substitutions: Color A can be easily substituted as long as you have enough contrast you color A and the other colors. For the remaining colors B-F, we recommend staying as close to the original colors as possible: green, pink, yellow, black, coral.

About the Designer: BARBARA KINGSOLVER is the award-winning author of seventeen books of fiction and nonfiction, including The POISONWOOD BIBLE and most recently, DEMON COPPERHEAD. She is also a devoted fiber artist and weaves her avocation into her poetry and fiction, where characters have been known to knit, farm sheep, or yarn-bomb. She lives with her family on a farm in southern Appalachia where, with the help of her Icelandic sheep, she knits from the ground up.

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Happiness Guarantee: If you’re thinking about knitting this pattern, we want you to be happy! If you buy something that is just not for you, let us know within 30 days and we’ll find a way to make it right. Email us at support@knitrino.com

mystery KAL MKAL knit along