February Quickies: Hold on Tight Fingerless Mitts

Quickies
Written By Florencia Serra

The ground outside my office window is blanketed with mounds of snow, and the space heater at my feet is doing a terribly inadequate job of keeping me warm (incredibly grateful for the layers of wool I’m wrapped up in, though!), but this month’s quickies project is a bright reminder of Spring that is hopefully right around the corner!

Hold on Tight Fingerless Mitts, from designer Antonia Cavaliere, worked in Caprino, featuring the Arco Iris colorway are a stunning reminder that sunny days are just right around the corner (and then maybe I’ll just need a pair of fingerless mitts to keep my hands warm in the blasting AC!).

In just 1-2 skeins of Carpino, you could get a pair of these knit up, maybe even before the snow in your yarn melts! I’m just drawn into the rich texture of these mitts, and since they are worked in the round from the cuff up with thumb gussets, they should knit up quickly!  They’re framed by 1x3 ribbing so the smocked motif can flow seamlessly from the cast-on to the bind-off edge. The smocked stitches are worked on a reverse Stockinette stitch background and bounded by two single columns of twisted stitches, which are also seamless from top to bottom of the mitt. Who knows, maybe I could make several pairs in all the brightest spring colors?

1: What is your favorite part of your Quickies design and why?

My favorite part is how the smocked motif runs seamlessly from the cast-on to the bind-off edge. Maybe it’s a small detail, but I think it makes all the difference!

2: What should knitters pay attention to when working this pattern? Do you have any tips or tricks that will make knitting this pattern easier?

This pattern is very easy to memorize, and, for that exact reason, it is also extremely simple to get into the flow of knitting and forget about the increases in the thumb gusset. Knitters should pay the most attention to that portion of the pattern and make sure they follow the instructions to the letter.

3: What do you think knitters will enjoy the most about this project?

I think knitters will love smocking stitches! It is a simple technique that produces such a cool effect with minimal effort. After knitting these mitts, I think they’ll want to introduce more smocking patterns in their lives!

4: Was there any particular inspiration you had when creating this piece?

The Hold On Tight mitts were specifically designed to show off the gorgeous variegated yarns we all have in our stash! I think many knitters, as myself, absolutely adore variegated yarn and buy them without even having a project in mind, because the colors are so mesmerizing and beautiful. Sometimes though, finding a pattern that can complement the yarn while also being eye-catching and interesting to knit can be a bit of a challenge. These mitts are designed to put those magnificent resting yarns to work!

5: What is the one thing you wish people knew about you as a designer?

I wish people knew how happy it makes me to see the finished objects they make with my designs. Of course, I do a happy dance whenever somebody buys a pattern, but I think absolutely nothing beats the feeling you get when you see people happily wearing something you designed! So, please, if you knit and post a picture of something I designed, I would love for you to tag me and show it to me!

6. What beverage are you most likely to have by your side while designing?

Definitely tea: green or black tea

Antonia Cavaliere inherited her crafty genes from her grandmother who taught her to hand sew, knit, and crochet at a very young age. She lives and designs on the beautiful east coast of southern Italy. Her designs reflect what she loves to wear: simple yet intricate-looking garments that will look pretty without sacrificing comfort.

Florencia Serra
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