Vestfirskir KIT

There are many different types of Icelandic mittens. Some originate from a particular area like the Vestfirskir mittens, which, as their name suggests, are typical from the fjords in the West of Iceland. Immediately recognizable with their leaf pattern at the cuff and colourful bands of little motifs, they are also called laufaviðarvettlingar, “leaf mittens”. I have already published designs inspired by this type of mittens, such as the Icelandic leaves mittens and tam or the Lauf vest.

The Vestfirskir mittens are worked in the round from the bottom up in stranded knitting with an afterthought thumb and the ovoid tip is shaped with symmetrical decreases. The mittens are a rather tight fit with a long cuff for extra warmth around the wrists.

The pattern has written instructions and colour chart and includes pictorial step by step instructions for special techniques.

Gilitrutt is a rare Icelandic 2-ply lace yarn with an exquisite halo, inspired by the Old handspun yarns. Made from pure Icelandic lambswool, specially selected for its quality, it is plied which makes it particularly sturdy and perfect for knitting hardwearing accessories such as mittens. Washing softens the wool considerably and ads a lovely bloom to the delightful colors inspired by Icelandic nature.

The designer

Hélène Magnússon is a leading knit designer in Iceland, the author of many books about traditional Icelandic knitting and the editor of The Icelandic Knitter. She likes to put a new spin on Icelandic traditions. She began her professional life as a lawyer in Paris before she made a complete life change and moved to Iceland, where she studied textile and fashion at Iceland Academy of the Arts and worked as a hired girl in a sheep farm and a mountain guide. The varied skills she learned in those early years richly inform the amazing hiking and knitting tours she passionately guides in collaboration with tour operator Icelandic Mountain Guides / Iceland Rovers.

Size: one size. You can achieve more sizes by changing needle size (2,25 to 3,25 mm / US 1 to 3 are suitable sizes) and adjust length by adding or removing rnds between the motif bands.

Gauge: 4”x 4” / 10×10 cm = 30 sts and 34 rows in stranded pattern on 3 mm/US 2 ½ needle.

Yarn: Gilitrutt Tvíband from Hélène Magnússon, 100% new wool (100% Icelandic wool), 2-ply, lace/light fingering, 25 g / skein = approx. 112 m/ 123 yds.

MC: white, 1 skein (74 m / 81 yds used) -> Gilitrutt Tviband instead in the kit
CC1: black, 1 skein (59 m / 64 yds used) -> Gilitrutt Tviband instead in the kit
CC2: anis green, 1 skein (8 m / 9 yds used)
CC3: red, 1 skein (17 m / 18 yds used)

Total yardage: 157 m / 172 yds

Needles: size 3 mm/US 2 circular needle (using Magic loop) or DPN’s. Adjust needle size as necessary to obtain correct gauge.

Notions: markers, darning needle

Techniques: The mittens are worked in the round with an afterthought thumb.

Stranded knitting, after thought thumb, increases, decreases.

Kit: the kit contains the wool but not the needles or the other material. The kit doesn’t include the pattern that must be purchased separately. Shipping costs are not included

Shipping and returns: see Terms & conditions here