These mittens are inspired by the rich colours of the spices once used for commerce in the ancient spice trade. The motifs used are a tribute to patterns found within Middle Eastern art.

Degree of Difficulty
This pattern is suitable for an intermediate knitter with some experience working with charts and knitting in the round. Designer tips are provided for those who are new to stranded colourwork.
The right and left-hand mittens are identical with a long cuff and the same pattern on the top of the hand and the palm for each mitten. The cuff can be easily shortened, as noted in the cuff directions, below.

Size
Instructions are written for a women’s small hand with medium and large in brackets. Mittens pictured in top two pictures were knit with the instructions for size large.

Techniques used in pattern:
• Stranded colourwork
• Knitting in the round
• Knitting from a chart
• Plain or two-colour cast on
• Latvian braid
• Increase stitches (make one left and make one right)
• Decrease stitches (Slip, slip, knit and knit two together)
• Kitchener stitch

Materials:
Knit Picks Palette fingering weight yarn (100% Peruvian Highland Wool, 231 yards/50 grams)
• 1 ball main colour (MC) in Semolina; 1 ball contrast colour (CC) in Masala

Needles: set of 5, 2.25 mm (US#1) double-pointed needles (DPNs); or one 2.25 mm (US#1), 100 cm (40 inch) long circular needle, if you prefer to use the Magic Loop method, or size needed to get gauge.

Tapestry needle for finishing.
Length of smooth, contrasting colour waste yarn to hold thumb stitches.

Gauge
10 stitches and 10.5 rows/ 2.54 cm (1 inch) over stranded pattern, knit in the round.

Finished Measurements
Circumference around fingers: 18.3 cm/7.2 inches; 19.3 cm/7.6 inches; 20.3 cm/8 inches
Bottom of cuff to top of fingers: 29 cm/11.3 inches; 30.5 cm/11.9 inches; 31.9 cm/12.5 inches
Wrist to top of fingers: 18.6 cm/7.3 inches; 20 cm/7.9 inches; 21.5 cm/8.5 inches

Note: This pattern uses 72, 76 or 80 stitches around the wrist and the top of the hand.