The Phelps Lake mitts are one of nine patterns in Independent Fabrication: Volume 2, a collection of accessory patterns in small-batch yarn. The print + eBook bundle is currently available for pre-order from Tightly Knit and Sandreed Press; the individual patterns and eBook-only options are available on Ravelry.

These mitts take my favorite way to get to know a new yarn and turn it into a fun, fast finished object. These ethereal handwarmers are thumbless and fingerless, and are constructed by knitting a rectangle and partially seaming them together. “Filled” two-step cables, cousins of those found on the Teewinot hat, snake up the back side of the hands, while a chunky 2x1 rib on the palm side allows the mitts to fit a wide range of hands.

Size
Adult S/M, M/L, L/XL 7 (7.75, 8.5)” / 19 (22, 25) cm in circumference; 6” / 15 cm in length, unstretched.

Yarn
Hudson Valley Fibers Moodna (60% New York State Romney, 40% U.S. Fine Wool, 260 yards / 238 meters per 100 grams / 3.5 oz), 1 skein, or approximately 100-150 yards / 100-125 meters of DK weight yarn. Sample knit in color “Mulberry.”

Gauge
26 sts and 36 rows per 4” / 10 cm in charted cable pattern.

Needles
Straight or circular needle in size US 4 / 3.5 mm, or size needed to obtain gauge.

Notions
Stitch markers (optional); cable needle (optional); tapestry needle.

Skills Required
Cabling (with or without a cable needle); increasing; decreasing; seaming using mattress stitch.

CONSTRUCTION NOTE
Mitts are knit flat and seamed, so they’re as simple to work as knitting a swatch. Just a few rows of mattress stitch (with a thumb hole left open) finishes the project. Instructions are different for each hand.