Native Americans in Michigan’s Straits of Mackinac region thought that the shape of Mackinac Island was like that of a turtle, so they named the region Mishi-mikinaak, meaning “big turtle.” French settlers used a version of the original pronunciation: Michilimackinac.

I have family ties to Michilimackinac and wanted something to remind me of that beautiful place. These hand warmers feature Barbara Walker’s turtle pattern (from Charted Knitting Designs: A Third Treasury of Knitting Patterns). The written instructions for the turtle in this pattern are my translation of Walker’s flat-knit pattern into a pattern for knitting in the round.

The PDF contains full instructions, both charted and written out, and color photos. If you have any questions either before or after purchasing, please just let me know and I’ll do my best to help.

Finished circumference of each hand warmer is about 8 inches unstretched; the ribbed palm means that they stretch to fit larger hands. Finished length is 8 inches.

Materials Needed

• 100 grams/220 yards of worsted weight yarn. I used Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in the color Pearlescent Tonal. Lighter colors show the twisted cable pattern better than darker colors. I recommend colors such as Dove and Oyster.
• Four US #4 / 3.5 mm double-pointed needles
• Cable needle
• A small stitch holder or piece of scrap yarn
• Small safety pin or stitch marker
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends.