A simple slipped-stitch pattern makes for an elegant look in colourways ranging from solid to wildly handpainted. Instructions are given for both mitts and gloves. Once you get going the pattern is easily memorized and becomes both fun and relaxing to knit. So relaxing, in fact, that I had the same feeling while knitting them that I always get from listening to Enya’s Orinoco Flow.

Level: Beginner

Skills required: Long-tail cast on, basic increases and decreases

Instruction type: Both charted and fully written. Due to the simplicity of the chart, this is an excellent pattern for those wanting to learn how to read charts.

Construction: Worked from cuff to palm/fingers, gusset thumb. The pattern is written generically so as to accommodate all small circumference techniques: dpns/ magic loop/ 2 circulars, both one at a time and two at a time.

Yarn: Orinoco Flow requires about 200 yds (180 m) fingering weight (sock) yarn.

Size: These mitts are sized to fit snugly, for the feel of a second skin. Measured flat they have about a 6” circumference but they stretch to fit up to 8”. To give a snug fit with no gaping, the fingers and thumbs of the gloves are ribbed and the final band of the mitts is worked on fewer stitches than the palms.

Many thanks to my testers for their feedback.