New Pattern! Cause and Effect

I have some exciting news! Today one of my original patterns comes out in the prestigious online knitting magazine, Knitty.com. The Winter 2024 issue is out today, and my pattern (featuring the beautiful Akumalik Netser) is the cover image. The pattern is called Cause and Effect, and I’m here to tell you a little more about it. Ravelry link

This is one of many patterns to come from a long-time struggle I’ve had with migraines. You’re going to hear a lot more about this in the future, as those hours trapped in bed were the inspiration for my forthcoming pattern collection. (More news on that below.) Cause and Effect is another pattern, beyond that collection, to come out of that creative space.

One thing that migraines do to me is they twist everything. They twist my body into tension and discomfort. But then, once I am forced to completely stop what I’m doing and deal with my pain, the stillness untwists my mind. These mitts depict that, in a small way.

The yarn I chose for this collection is Milarrochy Tweed. It’s a fingering-weight yarn from KDD & Co that I’ve used extensively, and it remains one of my favourites. It comes in 25g balls, and these mitts used less than half a ball of each colour.

Because the pattern is quite adaptable, this would also be a great choice for handspun. You can add or subtract stitches from either the cuff sections or the slanting sections, and you can try it on as you go to change the circumference.

The mitts are knit sideways, and use simple increases and decreases to make diagonal stripes that look far more complex than they are. The fit is enhanced with some sneaky short rows.

To keep things simple, I joined the mitts in the round with a visible seam that simply picks up the cast on edge and binds it off. The thumb hole is created the same way. Then you can choose whether to wear the mitts slanting inwards, with the seam visible, or slanting outwards, hiding the seam.

I’ve provided three sizes, but these mitts are so easy to customize. If you want a deeper body to the mitt, add more stitches in the slanting section. If you want deeper cuffs, add more stitches outside the slanting section. You can follow the sizes exactly as written, or you can simply measure your work around your hand to know when to cast off.

If you need a last-minute gift, these knit up so quick. As I mentioned above, if you have some handspun samples that need showcasing, this pattern is extremely gauge-adaptable. I hope you’ll give it a try!

This is a bit of a kick-off for this series of patterns. Another pattern is coming soon. The rest of the collection, which I’ve been fondly calling my “book” for the last few years, does not have a release date yet. There was a date, but circumstances outside my control have changed that, and the when or how of publication is still in development at the moment. I am certain, however, as much as I can be, that it will come out in 2025, and you’ll hear more about it then! Until then, stay warm, and enjoy knitting your own pair of “Cause and Effect” mitts.