These utilitarian mittens imitate the traditional fishing mittens knit in great quantity by my grandmother Hazel—we called her Nanny—and used by my father and grandfather while fishing and lobstering offshore during bitter Nova Scotia winters. I’d rather not call them felted mittens since felting wasn’t a thing for Nanny—she just knit mittens that became sturdy through hard use. The mittens are knit oversized to allow for shrinkage and felting either from deliberate technique as described in the instructions, or from rough outdoor wear.
Cynthia’s grandmother Hazel’s original pattern notes.
Finished Size
Adult: One size. Fishing mittens are deliberately oversized to allow for shrinkage and felting.
Materials
Yarn
100% wool yarn, fingering weight, non-superwash. About 325 m/355 yards in 75 g / 2.65 oz.
Shown in: 100% wool, unknown variety, handspun, natural colour (undyed).
Needles
3.5 mm/US #4 needles for small circumference in the round: your choice of traditional or flexible DPNs, 1 long circular for magic loop, or two shorter circulars.
Notions
Yarn needle
Stitch marker
Waste yarn for holding thumb stitches
Knitting complete, before felting.
Felting.
After felting.
