Julvanten 2023: Materials
The 2023 Christmas Mittens KAL (knit-along) begins on 13 December. As usual, Maja Karlsson is our mitten designer. We will publish the first pattern part early in the morning so, if you want, you can get up early to knit on St. Lucia day. Look forward to spending an advent season full of good feelings together with all those who want to share this cozy tradition with us!
Techniques included
Fisherman’s ribbing
Latvian braid
Straight thumb
Two-color stranded knitting
Dates
Materials List: 5 December (as you are reading now)
Part 1: 13 December
Part 2: 15 December
Part 3: 18 December
Yarn and Colors
The Christmas mittens are knitted in our fine Svensk Ull 4-tr yarn (100% Swedish Wool, 148 yd/135 m / 100 g)! It is a 4-ply wool yarn produced from Swedish raw materials, spun by Klippans Yllefabrik, and available in 12 colors.
You’ll need two colors for these Christmas mittens, one skein of each color listed below. Because the mittens are two-color stranded knitting, it is important to make sure that the colors contrast well with each other. If you choose one of the suggested yarn packs, you can be certain of that. Do you want to choose your own colors? In that case, make sure that the colors are different enough so the pattern will show distinctly! NOTE It will also be fine to knit the Christmas mittens with RAGGI if you prefer.
Needles
You’ll need sets of 5 double-pointed needles in U. S. sizes 6 and 8 / 4 and 5 mm for knitting the mittens.
Notions
You’ll also need scissors, a measuring tape, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends.
Size and measurements
The Christmas mittens are designed for a women’s size with the following measurements:
Mitten width Approx. 4 in / 10 cm
Mitten length Approx. 11 in / 28 cm
Length, thumb 3 in / 7.5 cm
Length, hand (from thumbhole) 6¾ in / 17 cm [is this correct? It seems rather long]
Length, cuff 2¾ in / 7 cm
Gauge
Approx. 18 sts x 19 rnds in stockinette colorwork pattern with larger size needles = 4 x 4 in / 10 x 10 cm
Color suggestions
Here are Maja’s color suggestions. Each kit includes two skeins of Svensk Ull 4-tr in the kit colors.
Julefrid: colours 59123 + 59102
The most classic color combination for Christmas. Deep ruby red and undyed natural gray, absolutely lovely! Maja knitted her mittens with this color combination.
Norrsken: colours 59124 + 59101
Are you lucky enough to have seen the northern lights? This color combination is inspired by the night sky when it sparkles with magic colors and casts its light on the snow-covered fields.
Rimfrost: colours 59112 + 59101
A fine layer of crisp white hoarfrost frozen over the lake ice. We know when the air is bitter ice-cold and the sun shines low on the horizon – that’s where we’ll see this lovely light-blue mitten.
Granris: colours 59108 + 59102
This green is inspired by our Swedish forests, where the trees can be older than the people who walk through those forests. A mitten that brings to mind the wreath on the door, as well as the spruce that bides its time alone in the forest.
Midvinternatt: colours 59122 + 59115
Only the Christmas elf is awake! And, some knitters who can’t get enough of mitten knitting….This color combination is like a stearin candle in a dark cottage or a Christmas ornament dangling on the fir tree.
Psst! Join our Facebook-grupp Julvanten – where we’ll share photos, tips, and inspiration. Please show your work on Facebook and Instagram (@jarbogarn). Don‘t forget the hashtag #julvanten2023!