Note: chart reading required. Written instructions complement the charts.

Traditional Bavarian traveling twisted stitch patterns are featured on the back of the hand, with a traditional filler stitch used on the palms and thumbs. A single tulip motif also appears near the top of each palm. The thumb gusset emerges out of the palm to keep the pattern panels on the back of the hand centered.

Use stockinette gauge to determine needle size needed to work the pattern. The pattern stretches to accommodate larger hands, but a loose gauge will make for a large, sloppy fitting mitt. Needles with very pointy tips and cabling without a cable needle will make these stitch patterns much more efficient to work!

Any fingering weight yarn with similar yardage/50 g will work well. Solids work best to show off the intricate stitch patterns, with semi-solids a good second choice. Avoid variegated and self-striping yarns, as the textured stitches will fight with the color changes and neither one will win.

This Ask a Knitter column features the “pop and pinch” method of cabling without a cable needle that I like to use when working Bavarian traveling twisted stitch patterns. Specific instructions for working with traveling twisted knits and plain purls, plus a video demonstration, can be found near the end of the column.