The PhytoFade Fingerless Mitts are inspired by phytoplankton, which is a broad group of organisms that form the foundation of ocean food chains. Phytoplankton are at their most visible and beautiful in algal blooms, where a large quantity of photosynthesizing organisms multiply in a small part of the ocean, providing a burst of food for ocean animals as small as krill and as large as whales.

Also check out the PhytoFade Socks!

Pattern Description

These mitts achieve a faded effect with three or more colours blended via a combination of stripes and a subtle slipped-stitch motif. Elongating the stitches to be slipped helps keep the mitts stretchy and comfortable while also bringing out the subtle colour details we all love in hand-dyed yarns.

These mitts feature contrast cuffs, generous finger coverage, and an adjustable thumb gusset. The right and left mitts are worked identically. Corresponding written instructions are provided for the charts.

This pattern requires the knitter to be able to knit a small circumference in the round (either on double-pointed needles or your preferred technique) and clearly explains all techniques for increases, decreases, and elongated stitches. Within the pattern you will find links to useful video tutorials as well, so the pattern is accessible to an intermediate or even an advanced-beginner knitter.

Yarn Requirements and Sizing

There are three sizes available: Women’s Small (Medium, Large) corresponding to wrist circumferences of 17 (18.5, 20) cm / 6.75 (7.25, 7.75) inches. The slipped-stitch pattern is very stretchy; the mitts are equally comfortable up to at least 1 cm/0.5 inch larger than the measurements listed above.

The mitts require approximately 175 (185, 200) m / 190 (200, 220) yards of fingering weight yarn. That includes approximately 50-60 m / 55-65 yards of contrast colour for the cuffs and 125 (130, 140) m / 135 (140, 155) yards total of all fade colours.

This pattern is designed to use up leftovers and is best suited to three or more fade colours. I recommend that you have at least 2g of each fade colour available (4g if you want your mitts to match) to help them to blend successfully. A short guide is provided in the pattern to help knitters plan their colour progression, if they wish to do so.