Indira Mitts

Indira Mitts by Vanessa Smith

What Is Being Made

The Indira Mitts are a pair of women's medium-sized knitted gloves designed to be worn as a standalone accessory or coordinated with the Indira shawl or cowl. These mitts combine warmth and functionality with sophisticated stitch detailing, offering both practical hand coverage and elegant visual appeal.

Finished Measurements and Sizing

These mitts are offered in one size, Women's Medium, with the following finished measurements when laid flat:

• Width: 3¼ inches (8 centimeters)
• Height: 7½ inches (19 centimeters)
• Circumference around knuckles: 6½ inches (16.5 centimeters)

Techniques and Stitches Used

The Indira Mitts showcase several advanced knitting techniques that create both textural interest and structural integrity:

• Lateral braids — decorative braided elements that run along the sides of the mitts, adding visual dimension
• Double-braided cable — a unique signature cable stitch that mirrors the design featured in the coordinating Indira shawl and cowl, creating a cohesive collection aesthetic
• Simple lace — openwork patterning that provides breathability while maintaining the elegant sophistication of the design
• Fisherman's rib — a textured stitch that creates a thick, elastic fabric with excellent stretch and recovery, ideal for fitted hand accessories

These techniques combine to create mitts that are as visually striking as they are functional, with the stitch patterns echoing those found in the complementary Indira shawl and cowl.

Yarn Requirements and Materials

The Indira Mitts require approximately 168 yards (154 meters) each of two different yarn weights held together throughout the project:

• Fingering weight yarn: A smooth, plied fingering weight in a superwash merino and nylon blend. The pattern example uses La Bien Aimée Merino Super Sock (75% superwash merino, 25% nylon) in the colorway 'Eric Northman'
• Lace weight yarn: A mohair blend in lace weight. The pattern example uses La Bien Aimée Mohair Silk (70% mohair wool, 30% silk) in the colorway 'Eric Northman'

Holding these two yarns together creates a fabric with the structure of fingering weight combined with the luxurious drape and subtle sheen of mohair silk.

Needles and Knitting Method

The Indira Mitts are worked on US 6 (4 millimeter) double pointed needles, or needles appropriate for your preferred method of knitting in the round. This flexibility allows knitters to choose between traditional double pointed needles, circular needles with the magic loop method, or other preferred techniques for small circumference knitting.

Difficulty Level

These mitts are rated as intermediate difficulty, making them suitable for knitters with some experience who are comfortable working with multiple stitch patterns, managing two yarns held together, and executing cable and lace techniques.