If you’re tired of another derivative of the same women’s glove pattern, or bored with yet another “new” mittens pattern but in a different colour, then you will adore this Victorian Knifty-Knitter Muff pattern! It’s a super-easy and fun way to add a touch of romance to your everyday accessories without having to learn to knit or crochet.

The foundation for the design is a simple tube done on a medium-sized round peg loom. This makes it easy to vary the size by varying both the diameter of the loom used, and the weight of the yarn. Once you have the basic tube shape, then the possiblities for creating unique edges, linings and adornments are literally endless!

You will need the following:

• Red 31-peg round loom by Provo Craft; 7-1/2” diameter, or size-equivalent
• Hook that came with your loom
• Darning needle that came with your loom, or size-equivalent
• Lion Brand Wool-ease in “Wheat”, or other medium weight (4) yarn in colour of choice for outer layer of lining
• Lion Brand Fun Fur in “Black”, or other decorative yarn in a coordinating/contrasting colour
• Fabric for outside of muff in faux fur, or other material of your choice
• Sewing needle and thread in black, or colour of your fur yarn
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Hand strap in your choice of material
• Decorative button or broach for outside adornment

Notes:

Gauge doesn’t matter, because the only factor you need to know is how many rows it will take to cover both hands when comfortably inserted into the muff. You can make it as thick and chunky or as delicate and lacy as you like, keeping warmth in mind. My Lion Brand yarn was of medium weight, because I wanted to pair it with a second yarn on the inside of that one. That was going to give it added weight, along with added warmth without my having to use a bulky yarn to do it. Because most Victorian designs were, for the most part, delicate and feminine (they were in favour of aesthetic over utility, even at the expense of their health and well-being, as is evidenced by their too-tight corsets), I decided pairing two relatively-thin yarns instead of one single bulky yarn would allow the design to retain that delicate look and offer the needed warmth, without looking like it was designed for some hunter in the woods.

So for the second yarn, I used Lion Brand Fun Fur in “Black”, and while it’s listed as bulky by the company, it really is a thin string, accompanied by tendrils of thinner strings. Once you have a desired length, then you can continue from there.

The edging shown in the photos is optional, used only if you decide to use an alternate material for its “lining”. I nearly used a piece of black faux fur left over from a vintage winter coat that I’m sewing. It wasn’t until later that I decided I wanted to do another knitted lining instead. Unfortunately, that covered the pretty edging, but no harm done. :)

If you have any questions, and because this is my first published pattern, please feel free to send me any questions you may have. I’m excited to see any improvements/amendments/changes to the pattern you may envision, so please share your photographs!