Ginkgo Biloba Mitts – Knitting pattern

It is the unique leaf shape of the ginkgo tree (Ginkgo biloba) that inspired this fingerless mitt design. The rib pattern on the cuff, worked in a variation of the heart rib stitch, is reminiscent of the typical bifurcated form. It recurs as a delicate detail on the thumb. A simple duplicate stitch embroidery (no experience in embroidery required) lets a leaf silhouette appear in the palm of the hand.

This design leaves a lot of freedom to adapt it to your own style – by choosing your preferred length for the cuff, thumb and hand section and deciding whether you make or skip the thumb detail and the embroidery.

The Ginkgo Biloba Mitts will keep your hands warm in fall and winter and at the same time remind you that after every cold and dark season, spring awaits, with its abundance of green leaves.

Sizes

5 sizes, to fit a hand circumference of: (17; 18.5) (20; 21.5; 23) cm / (6.75; 7.25) (7.75; 8.5; 9)" (corresponds to teenager to large adult size)

Recommended yarn:

Fingering or light fingering weight wool, e.g. BC Garn Bio Shetland GOTS or John Arbon Textiles Devonia 4ply

Yarn estimates:

• Main colour: (130; 150) (170; 190; 210) m / (145; 165) (185; 210; 230) yds
• Contrast colour: (20; 25) (30; 35; 40) m / (22; 28) (32; 38; 44) yds

Perfect for leftover yarn! :) 

Needles and notions needed:

• 2 mm (US 0) and 2.5 mm (US 1.5) DPNs (5 needles per set) (pattern is written for DPNs, but with a little experience, you can easily adjust it to knit on a circular needle with magic loop)
• stitch markers, leftover yarn or stitch holders, tapestry needle, crochet hook (optional)

Gauge:

Stockinette: 28 stitches x 42 rows = 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4‘’, on 2.5 mm (US 1.5) needles in the round, blocked

Level of difficulty:

intermediate

Techniques (explanation/tutorial included):

• knitting below
• increases
  
• duplicate stitch embroidery