Some of you might remember Mollie Makes as a beautifully aesthetic crafts magazine covering everything from paper crafts to ceramics, as well as knitting and crochet – aaagh, it was so good, wasn’t it? Not only was it full of creative goodness and inspo, but it also looked amazing on your craft bookshelf, too. Every maker who knew their onions/was worth their salt/etc had to pick up their copy of this every month, and it was a true sign that you’d arrived as an artist if you got asked to make something and get featured.
So, imagine the nervous upset tummy I got when, a few years ago, I was incredibly lucky to be asked to knit something for their Christmas issue! I still remember the moment I recieved the (quite stern) email from their Commissioning Editor and instantly feeling like they’d made a mistake – did they really want me to design something for a magazine? Is this for real? Can I actually do this? OMG I’M GOING TO HAVE MY WORK IN A MAGAZINE! It was all almost too much to bear, and I was so thrilled that such an uber-stylish magazine had chosen me to work with them.
As you can see, my imposter syndrome was on fire that day… Heck, when isn’t it, right?
So, what did they want me to make? I was begging that it wasn’t a jumper graded into eight sizes (as they should be but blimey, that’s a lot of work). In the end I was asked to make a pair of mittens and, honestly, it was a scary experience. Not only was it my first time knitting mittens, it was also my first time working with a magazine. I didn’t understand the process, the payment, or what was expected of me, I just knew I didn’t want to mess it up, while also trying not to seem inexperienced in case they changed their mind about collaborating with me. I think I sent about 30 nervous emails back and forth to them clarifying everything from obvious doubts like colours and sizes to “would it be possible to make ones without thumbs?” – what is wrong with me – and other things that now seem useless and borderline psychotic on my part.
Looking back, the pay was very low. Like, properly low and insultingly so, but I ate it up. In my wizened old age I’m now a big advocate for valuing your work properly and not accepting poor pay just for exposure – being featured shouldn’t be the only reward – but, that said, I was still genuinely grateful for the opportunity and it was the right fit for me back then. For that amount of money now I’d definitely have told them to naff off, but you live and learn. Plus is was Mollie Makes, like…
So there I was with my mitten brief. The design had to be Fair Isle, which luckily is a technique I was already comfortable with, along with knitting in the round. The challenge was the deadline: just four days. I worked constantly to produce mittens in three different sizes. It was intense and exhausting, but completely worth it, even though I’m sure I lost ten years of my life in stress and sleepless nights. I am pretty sure that my hatred and fear of grading comes from this experence, but it all turned out marvellously in the end.
That experience gave me a real boost in the knitting community. It also proved to me that I could complete an intricate design under pressure and see it published in a well-known UK magazine. Sadly, Mollie Makes closed its doors a few years ago, but I’m still incredibly proud to have been featured alongside so many talented creatives and have had such a gigantic leg up in terms of expsoure.
Anyway, back story done with, I’m so excited to share the pattern for my Fuzzy Mountain Mittens with you. The pattern has been knocking about on my PC for years now and I thought it was only right to share them with you all. I know, massively unseasonal (you know that’s my trademark ny now), but you’ll find everything you need below.
Fuzzy Mountain Mittens
1. Materials
- 2.00mm 9” circular needles OR 32” (or longer) for magic loop
- 4.00mm 9” circular needles OR 32” (or longer) for magic loop
- 4–6 stitch markers (one different for BOR)
- Scissors, darning needle, scrap yarn
Yarn:
- 100g (2 balls) DK yarn in Colour 1 (e.g. Drops Lima in Pearl Grey)
- 100g (1 ball) DK yarn in Colour 2 (e.g. Paintbox Simply Aran in Mustard Yellow)
- 10g DK yarn in Colour 3 (e.g. Paintbox Simply Aran in Vintage Pink)
Sizes: S (M, L)
- Small (Teen): 7”
- Medium (Women’s): 7.5”
- Large (Men’s): 8.5”
Gauge:
4” x 4” / 10 x 10 cm = 21 sts x 28 rows
Colourwork Chart:
2. Abbreviations
CO: Cast on
STS: Stitches
K: Knit
P: Purl
BOR: Beginning of round
PM: Place marker
SM: Slip marker
KFB: Knit front and back
K2TOG: Knit two together
C1 / C2 / C3: Colours
3. Pattern
Photo steps: (see below photos for written instructions):
Step 1
Using 2.00mm needles, CO 37 (43, 45) sts. Join invisibly by slipping the first stitch and passing the extra stitch over.
You now have 36 (42, 44) sts. Place BOR marker.
Step 2
Work K1, P1 rib until cuff measures 3.5”.
Switch to 4.00mm needles.
Begin colourwork:
Rd 1: Knit all with C2
Rd 2: K1 C2, K1 C1
Rds 3–4: Knit C1
Rd 5: K1 C1, K1 C2
Rds 6–7: Knit C1
Rd 8: K1 C2, K1 C1
Rds 9–10: Knit C1
Rd 11: K1 C1, K1 C2
Rds 12–13: Knit C1
Rd 14: K1 C2, K1 C1
Rd 15: Knit C1
Break C2. Continue in C1 until piece measures 2” (2”, 2.5”) from cuff.
Step 3 – Thumb Gusset
KFB, K1, KFB, PM, knit to end.
Step 4
Repeat 7 (7, 8) times:
- Rds 1–2: Knit
- Rd 3: KFB, knit to 1 st before marker, KFB, SM, knit to end
Step 5
Place 17 (17, 18) sts on scrap yarn.
K1, K2TOG (S)
For M/L: cast on 1 (6) sts
You now have 32 (40, 48) sts.
Step 6
Place markers every 8 sts.
Follow chart for 7 rounds.
Remove markers except BOR.
Step 7
Knit in C2 until piece measures 2” (2.5”, 3”) from thumb gusset.
Step 8 – Decreases
Place marker halfway.
K2TOG, knit to 2 sts before marker, K2TOG, SM, K2TOG, knit to 2 sts before BOR, K2TOG.
Step 9
Repeat decreases until 8–10 sts remain.
Step 10
Break yarn, pull through stitches, tighten.
Step 11 – Thumb
Return 18 (18, 22) sts to needles.
Pick up 1 (1, 4) sts. Join and knit 2” (2”, 2.5”).
Step 12
K2TOG around to 9 (9, 11) sts.
Break yarn, pull tight, weave in ends, and block.
Fold cuff to finish.
MAKE TWO.
4. Tips
If you knit tightly, loosen slightly when working Fair Isle to avoid puckering.
The cuff is designed to be long and foldable for warmth, but you can shorten it if preferred.
Try the mittens on as you go. A good rule is to begin decreases at the tip of your ring finger.
And that’s it! I’d love to see your versions, so feel free to tag me if you make a pair! 💛
If you loved this free pattern, consider donating to me on Ko-Fi or purchasing one of my patterns on Ravelry – thank you so much for your support! Don’t forget to share your makes on Instagram by tagging me – I’d love to share your gorgeous work.
Happy knitting!
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