Forystuvettlingar KIT

Design: Hélène Magnússon

Forystufévettlingar (Leadersheep mittens) are knitted with the beautiful wool colors of the Icelandic Leadersheep. The Leadersheep is a unique stock found nowhere else in the world. It is part of the Icelandic nation’s heritage. It is primarily bred for its intelligence and differs from other sheep in both behavior and build. It is taller, thinner, with a longer neck, less fat and has a softer wool. Most people think it is beautiful, it comes in a variety of colors that adorn the flock, most of them are angular. Children often choose Leadersheep as pets because they are so good to tame. The Fræðasetur um forystufé  (Leadersheep Center) in Svalbard in the fjord of Þistilfjörður in the North of Iceland was opened in 2014. There you can learn about these rare animals and it is the mission of the Center to preserve and promote this unique sheep.

My design is inspired by the traditional Leaf mittens from the West fjords of Iceland. They come in five sizes, from toddler to big adult man. Traditionally, each size had a different leaf pattern making for a pleasing uninterrupted repetition of this large motif around the hand. All you need is to choose three colors, two of them with a good contrast. I made sure that about the same amount of yarn is used for each color so you can arrange them exactly the way you want for a very different result. With three skeins of 50g, you may even have enough to knit two pairs, one for a child, one for an adult, depending on the sizes chosen.

Sizes: XS,S(M,L,XL) for children (first 2 sizes) and adults

Finished measurements
Hand circumference: 15,16.5(18.5,20,21.5) cm / 6,6.5(7.25,7.75,8.5)”
Total length: 15,20(23.5,27,30) cm / 6,8(9.25,10.75,12)”
Length from thumb to tip: 8,11(13,16,18.5) cm / 3,4.5(5.25,6.25,7.25)”
Thumb circumference: 6.5,6.5(8.5,10,10) cm / 2.5,2.5(3.25,4,4)”
Thumb length: 4,5(6,7.5,8) cm / 1.5, 2(2.5,3,3.25)”
You can obtain more sizes by changing needle size and adjust the lengths by adding or removing rnds.

Gauge: 10 cm / 4” = 24 sts and 30 rnds in stranded knitting on 3.5 mm / US 4 needle

Yarn: Forystuþræðir, pure new wool, 100% Icelandic leardersheep wool, Aran weight 50 g skein = 110 m / 120 yds, spun either at the Gillhagi or the Uppspuni mimimill: all natural colors of the sheep. Pick up 3 colors: there should be enough contrast between colors A and B.

Yardage used
Color A: 16,34(48,76,80) m / 17,37(52,83,87) yds
Color B: 24,38(48,56,60) m / 26,42(52,61,66) yds
Color C: 12,26(32,52,68) m / 13,28(35,57,74) yds

Needle: 3.5 mm / US 4 circular needle or size to obtain the gauge. Magic loop technique is used but you can also use double-pointed needles or any other technique to knit in the round.

Notions: darning needle, stitch marker, scrap yarn in contrasting color, mitten form (wood or cardboard).

Techniques: the mittens are knitted in the round from the cuff. Stranded knitting, afterthought thumb

Pattern: Once you’ve made your paiement, you will receive an email with a link to download the pattern PDF. You will also always find your patterns in your account under Downloads. We don’t send patterns by snailmail.

Errata: No mistake has been found in this pattern

Kit: the kit contains  enough wool to complete the mittens but not the needles or the other material. The kit includse the pattern PDF.

Shipping and returns: see Terms & conditions here.