Pattern description from Knitting in America: “The three pairs of Latvian mittens shown on page 152 are all based on a traditional mitten pattern from the Alsunga township in the Kurzeme district of Latvia. The large man’s mittens (center) are knit at a very fine gauge (thirteen stitches to the inch) and include a liner. Thus, they are extraordinarily warm; Lizbeth made them for her photographer husband, who had challenged her to make mittens that would keep his hands toasty in Minnesota during a winter sunrise photo shoot. The woman’s mittens, with the slightly flared cuff, have a slightly looser gauge (10.5 stitches to the inch). Both versions are made with a fine but strong two-ply wool yarn from the Vuorelma Oy company in Finland. The child’s mittens, at seven stitches to the inch, are a much simplified version of the adult models and are made with Peer Gynt four-ply wool. All three pairs draw upon the same traditional Latvian motifs, starting from the cuff: Austra’s Tree (from which the sun leaps each morning); Jumis (symbolized by crossed stalks of grain that are bent and heavy with see; this symbol represents fertility and well-being); and, on the palm, Sun within Morning Star surrounded by Four Moons, Lizbeth’s advice to the beginning Latvian mitten knitter: it’s still one stitch at a time; just pay more attention to each stitch. The patterns appear on page 216.”

No finished measurements are given in pattern.

Materials:

• One 3.5oz / 100g skein (each approx 363yd / 330m) of Satakieli 2-ply yarn from Helmi Vuorelma Oy, Finland #3 Natural (A), 1/2 skein each #491 Red Orange (B), #890 Dk. Green (C), #184 Gold (E), #385 Dk. Brown (F), #388 Med. Brown (G)
• One set (5) sizes 000 and 0000 dpn or size needed to obtain gauge

Additional Gauge: 24 sts and 26 rnds to 2” over St st and colorwork pat using larger needles. To save time and to ensure accurate sizing, check gauges.

Needle size for this pattern and yarn are US dpn 000 and 0000.
The linings are worked first, then you pick up the CO stitches at the cuff and begin knitting the patterned outer mitten with the lining hanging upside down from your needles. Once complete, you invert the lining into the patterned outer mitten. VOILA!