Some time ago, for a design contest, I came up with these mittens:

I love these mittens. I love the texture of the fabric, I love the way the 2-colour cable looks like embroidery, I love the whole sort of Renaissance textile feel of the things.

There was just one problem: they only came in small. The contest was for Malabrigo, and at the time, the only appropriate yarn in their offerings was Sock, so the only size I could offer the pattern in was for a 7.3″/18.5cm hand circumference: too small for a lot of people, including me. I suppose I could have done a second size in another yarn after the contest, but the Malabrigo colours are part of what makes the design, and I kind of wanted to stick with their yarn.

Since then, Malabrigo has added several new yarns to their line, including the plied sport-weight Arroyo. They very kindly provided yarn support so that I could offer these babies in a larger size: a size that I could wear, even. And so, at last, the Let It Be Spring mittens come in two sizes: 7.3″/18.5cm circumference, worked in Sock, and 8″/20.5cm circumference, worked in Arroyo:

At last, I can make a pair for myself.

Pattern Details

The Let It Be Spring pattern can be purchased through Ravelry, Craftsy, or Patternfish.

Finished Size: Women’s Small: 7.3”/18.5cm (Large: 8″/20.5cm circumference)

Yarn: Small: Malabrigo Sock [100% Superwash Merino; 440yds/402m per 3.5oz/100g]; MC (Lettuce): 1 skein; CC (Solis): 1 skein (Large: Malabrigo Arroyo [100% Superwash Merino; 335yds/306m per 3.5oz/100g]; MC (Natural): 1 skein; CC (Aguas): 1 skein)

Needles: Small: (2) US2/2.75mm circular needles (Large: (2) US3/3.25mm), 24”/60cm or longer or size to get gauge. Since some of the stitches cross over the middle of each side, I found it easier to make these mittens with 2 circular needles. (Magic Loop would work, too.) The traveling stitches in the mitten body draw that part in a bit, so you may want to use slightly smaller needles for the cuff. Samples shown were knit with the same size needles throughout.

Gauge: Small: 36 sts=4”/10cm (Large: 34 sts=4″/10cm) in body pattern stitch after blocking

Notions: 1 stitch marker, tapestry needle, cable needle (optional — instructions on making 2 st cables without a cable needle are given in the pattern)