If ever you are in need of a refreshing turn around some gardens in Cardiff, the ones at Insole Court are perfect. They were the pride and joy of Miss Violet Insole (1883-1932) who was a keen horticulturalist and renowned for the alpine and iris gardens she cultivated in the grounds. Violet won medals for several of her iris varieties, and amongst the best known were Golden Flare and Queen of Sheba. These elegant mitts echo the shape of her beloved irises in their delicate lace motif. Perhaps she would have liked to wear a pair whilst tending her plants.

There are 2 sizes: Medium (7” hand circumference) and Large (8” circumference). The lace pattern is in chart format only, and is fairly stretchy, so consider knitting the medium if you fall between sizes. The yarn used in the sample is a merino bamboo blend dyed by Owl About Yarn for the October 2020 Virtual Knit Tea Retreat.
I would love to see your finished Miss Violet’s Mitts, so if you post a picture of them on social media, please use the #missvioletsmitts tag.

Skills Required

• Casting on, including backwards loop method.
• Knitting and purling in the round, yarn overs, decreasing, casting off.
• Reading a chart.

Yarn & Notions

• 40g (approximately 100m / 123 yds) of fingering weight yarn. Sample uses Owl About Yarn BFL Boo (80% BFL 20% Bamboo) in an exclusive colourway dyed for The Knit-Tea Retreat October 2020.
• 2.75mm (US2) needles, OR the size required to meet gauge.
• Stitch markers, waste yarn or stitch holder, embroidery needle to sew in ends.

Gauge
- 32 stitches and 44 rounds to 4 inches / 10cm in stocking stitch.

Size

• M to fit 7 inch / 18cm hand circumference.
• L to fit 8 inch / 20.5cm hand circumference.