Ocotillo, Fouquieria splendens, is a common plant found in desert communities (specifically creosote scrub). It has upright spiny branches that leaf out only after a rain. It can be planted to serve as a natural (albeit thorny) fence.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Ribbing adapted from Mistake Ribbing, Barbara Walker, A Treasury of Knitting Patterns, p40.

Thank you to my wonderful test knitters.

PATTERN NOTES
These mitts are great for stash busting: you can easily use different yarns for the cuff and the body of the mitts.

For example, you could use a solid or semisolid yarn for the cuffs, to show of the pattern, and a subtly variegated yarn for the body of the mitt. Or you could use a yarn that will show good stitch definition for the cuff, and a yarn with a bit of halo for the main portion.

The cuff is knitted first. The stitches for the body of the mittens are picked up along the long edge of the cuff. See the cuff diagrams on pages 6-7.

The main body is worked in simple stockinette with an offset thumb gusset formed by M1Rs and M1Ls as described in the legend.
Stitch patterns are both charted and written out line by line.
Instructions are arranged with the cuff first, followed by the basic patterns for the two different gauges for the main portion of the mittens.

Directions are also given for fingerless mitts.

The OCOTILLO MITTENS are shown in Black Water Abbey 2 Ply Worsted, 100% wool, 220 yards (201 meters) per 113 grams (4 ounces), in the Pippin Colorway. The wide cuff shown is best worked in worsted weight yarn. The narrow mistake ribbing cuff can be worked in either weight yarn.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Palm circumference above thumb: 6.5 (7.5, 8.5)”

YARN
Worsted weight yarn, approx 130 (155, 180) yds
(or)
Aran weight yarn, approx 120 ( 140, 160) yds

NEEDLES
US4/ 3.5mm and US6/ 4.0mm needles for worsted weight, or size to obtain gauge.
US5/ 3.75mm and US7/ 4.5mm for aran weight, or size to obtain gauge.

Your choice of Magic Loop, 2 circulars or DPNs.

GAUGE
20 sts and 32 rows = 4”/10 cm in St st with US6 needles & worsted weight yarn.
18 sts and 28 rows = 4”/10 cm in St st with US7 needles & aran weight yarn

NOTIONS
Yarn needle, stitch markers, cable needle, (2) size 3/4” buttons

SKILLS
Knitting in the round, picking up stitches

Thank you to Ashley Knowlton for tech editing.