Persian/Iranian-Style Mittens Knit from Tip to Cuff

Introduction
Persia, historic region of southwestern Asia associated with the area that is now modern Iran. The term Persia was used for centuries and originated from a region of southern Iran formerly known as Persis, alternatively as Pārs or Parsa, modern Fārs. The use of the name was gradually extended by the ancient Greeks and other peoples to apply to the whole Iranian plateau. The people of that region have traditionally called their country Iran, “Land of the Aryans.” That name was officially adopted in 1935.

PRELUDE:
These mittens are based on the Iranian gloves that I purchased, in 1978, before the revolution there, in the city of Masjid-I-Soleiman. Though I wasn’t a knitter when I bought the gloves, I became a knitter and then met Priscilla Gibson-Roberts. She figured out -and published -how to knit the gloves (fingertips to cuff) because of her interest in “ethnic knitting”. My mitten design is based on the glove pattern. Not to confuse the issue, but the “body” of the mitten is just like an Iranian sock, knit from the toes upward. So, once you learn how to knit mittens in this way, you will also be well on the way to knowing how to knit a sock from the toe up! Also, it won’t be difficult to knit gloves, Iranian-style! You can purchase the pattern for Iranian Gloves from my store.

These mittens will fit an average woman, when knit firmly with bulky wool, (such as LAMBS PRIDE, from the Brown Sheep Company). The gauge for these mittens of 4.5 stitches/inch. One skein is need per mitten. However, if you want some pizzazz in the cuffs, buy a third skein in a contrasting color. Once you understand this design, you can figure out how to knit any mitten, for any hand, with any wool, in any gauge.

If the hands you are knitting mittens for are “at hand” simply fit the mitten to the hand as you knit it. Remember! The first mitten-knitter didn’t have a pattern but she did have knitting knowledge, and hands that needed keeping warm in winter. Remember this as you knit: you are the boss!

If you don’t have the hands handy that you plan to knit mittens for, you’ll need The Knitter’s Handy Book of Patterns by Ann Budd. Though her mittens are knit from cuff to tip, you can extrapolate from her numbers and measurements what you need to know.

The mittens start with what I call The Middle-Eastern Wrapped cast-On. This is a worthwhile technique, though perhaps a little difficult at first to master. Once you master it, you’ll find it useful in many knitting situations. I describe it in excruciating detail below. I also demonstrate this cast-on in YouTube video that I hope you’ll watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fr2tDNLXCx8&t=2s.

TOOLS:

One or two sets of five double-point needles (DPNs) to get the required gauge. You’ll need a few markers and coilless pins. You’ll also need a dull sewing needle for the cast-off, and a sharp sewing needle to work in the ends.

I also recommend a long 47” or 60” circular needle if you want to knit both mittens at once, magically (“magic loop’’). Or you can knit both mittens at once using the technique developed by Joyce Williams with two 24” needles. (Joyce’s unvention pre-dated the “magic loop” and is essentially the same idea.)

Watch my YouTube video to learn how to create your own markers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNAx8j9grQk.

The mitten image is copyrighted by Carole Gordon who has given permission for me to use this image. Visit Carole Gordon’s website (www.carole-gordon.pixels.com) to find over 275 images. These images can become a wide array of decorative products ranging from pillows to shower curtains, from cards and totes to beach towels and much more. Simply select the image you want and select from the list of available products for sale.

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