Mapula forms part of my Mzansi - South Africa on my Needles collection, available as a stand alone pattern, an Ebook and Print book
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This pattern has been Tech Edited by Martha Jane McLellan

Story:
Beads and beaded art is very common in South Africa. From jewellery to Christmas decorations, animals to key rings, beads and bead artists can be found selling their wares at markets, shops, informal stalls and tourist attractions. I wanted to design some fingerless gloves that honour this tradition. The African series of gloves are all inspired by beading that I have seen and adapted for knitting.

The names for the 3 African Fingerless Mittens series come from growing up in the old Bophuthatswana. My dad was a doctor at a rural hospital where the nurse gave me and my 2 sisters special African name. My African name is Mapula, which means rain, as rain is as blessing in the often dry Africa. My older sister Jenni’s African name is Thandi, which mean blessed. My younger sister Sarah’s African name is Gape, which means another one, for another girl, I thought the design of a girl was very fitting.

PATTERN INFO

Description
These fingerless mittens are knitted in the round using magic loop, DPNs or two circular needles. They have a pretty picot cuff . The gusseted thumb is set slightly to the inside of the hand to match the normal anatomical position of the thumb. Optional short rows across the hand to lengthen the fingerless gloves across the 3 taller fingers but not across the little finger

Difficulty Level: Beginner
These are a great beginner pattern, with a simple picot edge and all the rest being stocking stitch. Anyone with a little bit of knitting experience can try them.

Skills Needed:
Knitting in the round, short rows (optional). Reading chart to add the little girl with Swiss Darning/Duplicate stitch.

Needles
2.75mm/US 2 circular needles at least 80cm/48“ long

Yarn
Fingering weight/sock weight superwash Merino I used ColourSpun Sock Wool (50g; 163m/178yds)
Main Colour: Yellow 30–50g (98m/107yd – 163m/178yd) Colour A: Green 5 g (17m/18yd )
Colour B: Red 5g (17m/18yd )
Colour C: Royal Blue 5g (17m/18yd)
Colour D: Black 5g (17m/18yd)

Notions
Tapestry Needle
Stitch Markers
Scrap Yarn

Gauge
Stocking stitch: 30 stitches and 43 rows over 10cm/4“ blocked

Sizes
S (M, L, XL)

Please feel free to email me if you have any problems or queries cameronsallyjane@gmail.com