Swatching…
#7 and H hooks are making way too tight and stiff of a fabric -- would never be able to bend my hand enough to grip the snow shovel or drive the car!

Trying again with I hook… And switching to Plymouth Coffee Beenz, which is a hair lighter weight than the Cloudborn Highland Worsted. Well, I’m much happier with this fabric/gauge than the Highland Worsted with I hook. But the red is not going to look good with my coat. So…

Back to the Highland Worsted, but trying a J hook this time. I discovered, kind of late in the process, that I need to work with knife hold or my gauge is just way too tight, not matter what size hook I’m using!

Finished first mitten today, for the test. Need to work on a couple of other things before I can get back to this for the second mitten so I’ll have a usable pair.