The rowan tree has sacred history with many superstitions surrounding it. In Celtic mythology it symbolises courage, wisdom and protection. It was often planted outside houses and in churchyards to ward off witches!

This pattern is my first attempt at going beyond the level of bead-knitted cuffs by adding a thumb. Right from the beginning I wanted the thumb to be seamlessly integrated into the pattern. After trying out several possible solutions I came up with the idea of using short rows for the thumb gusset. This method allows to streamline the process and work the thumb flat in one piece with the mitt. I’m very happy with the result and hope you will be too.

The mitts are knitted sideways, in garter stitch, with beads inserted between stitches as you go. You begin with pre-stringing the beads onto your yarn and working through the beaded section of the mitt. The rest of the mitt is knitted in plain garter stitch. There are two invisible seams done using a variation of kitchener stitch.

Also, for the first time, I filmed all stages of making one mitt. The video tutorials for this pattern can be found on my YouTube channel GZ Designs.

Share your photos on Instagram with tags #gzdesigns and #sweetrowanmitts

YARN
50g (170m/186yds) DROPS Nord (45% Alpaca, 30% Polyamide, 25% Wool).

BEADS
Czech Preciosa seed beads in size 8.

Colour a (salad green) 144 x 2 mitts = 288 beads
Colour b (red/orange) 72 x 2 mitts = 144 beads

SIZE
One size to fit an average female hand. The mitt is 19cm long and 16cm wide (measured flat before seaming). The size can be easily adjusted for a smaller/larger hand.

TOOLS
1 pair US 0/2mm 32”/80cm long circular needles
1 long beading needle & thread
1 yarn needle
1 beading matt
1 marker