Gridlock

The PDF pattern for the Gridlock fingerless mitts is inspired by the designer's love of repeating patterns and tessellating shapes. The all-over colourwork pattern is particularly intriguing as it features a recurring motif that runs diagonally around the mitt.

Knitted in the round, the mittens also feature colourwork thumb gussets with a co-ordinating yet different colourwork pattern and deep corrugated rib cuffs. The mitts are knitted in Excelana North fingering weight wool, a soft yet hard-wearing yarn that is perfect for colourwork knitting. All sizes of mitts require just one skein each of two highly contrasting shades to ensure the striking pattern stands out.

The pattern includes five sizes of mitts with each size including instructions for Long and Short Options. The instructions for left and right mitts are identical; and the stripes above and below the thumb ensure there is no pattern jog at the beginning of the round.

Written instructions for construction include the corrugated rib. The Gridlock colourwork pattern and thumb gusset are charted. The mitts are worked from the wrist, in the round, starting with a German twisted cast-on and a corrugated rib before establishing the stranded colourwork pattern of the hand. Increases are worked to shape the thumb gusset. Thumb stitches are then put aside before working the rest of the hand and corrugated rib. The thumb is completed with a corrugated rib to match.

Choose a size with 0-2cm / 0-0.75in negative ease.

Gridlock is knitted using Susan Crawford Excelana North, fingering weight a soft, fingering weight 100% British wool, spun for us in nearby Yorkshire and dyed in-house by Susan and her team.

Gridlock is shown here in two colourways. Colourway A uses shades Alabaster and Icelandic Moss; Colourway B uses shades Alabaster and Damson Wine

Gridlock is modelled by Charlie who is wearing the 3rd size in Colourway A (Icelandic Moss) Long Mitts Option, and Ruth who is wearing Colourway B (Damson Wine) Short Mitts Option.

The pattern includes instructions for 5 sizes to fit a hand circumference between 15cm (6in) and 27cm (10.75in); and contains clear written instructions together with charted instructions, plus a comprehensive schematic diagram and sizing chart.