Silver Bells Mittens

Silver Bells Fingerless Mittens by Paula Drouillard

Project Overview

The Silver Bells Fingerless Mittens are a beginner-friendly knitting pattern designed by Paula Drouillard of Autumn Poppy Designs. These elegant fingerless mittens combine festive holiday inspiration with practical everyday wearability, featuring a sophisticated construction that works for adult hands in multiple sizes.

What Is Being Made

This pattern creates a pair of fingerless mittens sized for adults in three options: medium, large, and extra-large. The finished mittens fit hands measuring 7 inches, 7.75 inches, or 8.5 inches around respectively. Fingerless mittens are open at the fingertips, allowing full finger mobility while keeping the hand and wrist warm—making them ideal for activities requiring dexterity such as texting, typing, or detailed handwork during cold weather.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several intermediate knitting techniques that build foundational skills:

• Magic Loop Method: A technique for working small circumference projects like mittens using one long circular needle, eliminating the need for double-pointed needles
• Lace Knitting: Decorative openwork created through yarn overs and decreases, adding visual interest and texture to the mittens
• Double Start Cast-On: A specialized cast-on method that creates a secure, elastic edge suitable for fitted garments
• Thumb Gusset: A shaping technique that increases stitches strategically to create a properly fitted thumb opening
• Picking Up Stitches: A method for adding new stitches along an existing edge, used to create seamless transitions and additional sections

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch structure is stockinette stitch, a fundamental knit fabric created by alternating knit and purl rows (or rounds in circular knitting). This smooth, classic stitch provides an elegant base for the fingerless mittens. The pattern incorporates lace knitting stitches through yarn overs and decreases, creating decorative openwork sections that enhance the holiday aesthetic while maintaining breathability.

Yarn and Materials

The Silver Bells Fingerless Mittens pattern calls for approximately 160 yards of fingering weight yarn combined with 128 yards of mohair yarn. The sample shown uses two premium yarns:

• Camp Fiber Yarns Vibrant: An 80/20 blend of superwash merino and nylon (100g/3.5oz, 400 yards per 100g) in the colorway Fog, providing durability and easy care
• Isager Silk Mohair: A luxurious blend of 75% kid mohair and 25% silk (25g/0.9oz, 230 yards per 25g) in Light Grey, adding softness and subtle sheen

The combination of fingering weight yarn with mohair creates a delicate, airy fabric with beautiful drape and a sophisticated appearance.

Needles and Notions

The pattern requires two sizes of circular needles for the magic loop technique: US 2 (2.75mm) needles and US 4 (3.5mm) needles, both 40 inches long. These longer needles accommodate the magic loop method for working in small rounds. Additional notions include 3 stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points, and a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends.

Gauge

The pattern specifies a gauge of 26 stitches and 36 rounds over 4 inches in stockinette stitch on US 4 (3.5mm) needles. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit, particularly in fitted garments like mittens where hand circumference directly affects wearability.

Difficulty Level

Rated as a beginner pattern, the Silver Bells Fingerless Mittens introduce knitters to intermediate techniques including magic loop, lace knitting, and gusset shaping. While the individual techniques are explained, this pattern works best for knitters with foundational circular knitting experience who are ready to expand their skill set with decorative and shaping methods.