This pattern is currently available only to members of the Abstract Fiber’s 2012 Yarn and Fiber Club. I am now working to update the pattern and reissue it for sale here on Ravelry. If you’re interested in it let me know and it will move up on the priority list.

Cowl uses approximately 30 yards of main color and 20 yards of contrast color.

This is one of the pieces in the Madrigal Collection. Monteverdi was an Italian composer of very elegant madrigals, but I have to admit, I named these based on alliteration. The pattern on the back of the hand is a simplified version of the alto clef which was used widely in the early madrigal part books. The opportunity for a visual pun was more than I could resist.

The clef uses the very clever vertical stranding technique I learned from Lorilee Beltman. The pattern is knit in at the same as the hand with no floats working across the hands which can limit the stretchiness.

The close-fitting mitts use a construction I developed and can be constructed without cutting the yarn(s). Friends have taken to calling these magic thumb mitts. The cuff is first knit then the palm of the hand and the thumb, before finally finishing the band for the fingers.