Re-introducing the Just Plain Mittens!
This post comes to you from a crisp, cold -40 day in northern Alberta. Brr! So even if you’re looking at crocuses and spring showers or summer sunshine with hints of autumn in your part of the world, let me remind you that anytime of year is a good time of year to be preparing for colder weather.
Which brings me to my latest pattern (re-)release: the Just Plain Mittens Pattern Bundle!
But first, a brief history…
One of my very first pattern designs, way back in 2010 when I was first venturing into publishing patterns, was a kind of wonky mitten pattern I called (very imaginatively) Lined Seamless Mittens. I typed it up and posted it for free on my personal blog, where I and many other people used it over the years.
However, it had its limitations—for one thing, it was only available in two sizes, both of which were on the small side. (I was making mittens for my kids, after all.) And I designed it for a chunky yarn that was discontinued two years later and replaced with a yarn that had the same name but a different gauge. (Bernat Chunky—thanks, Bernat.) I’m sure that was fun for people trying to make up the pattern.
Besides, as my kids grew, I needed bigger sizes. So, a few years later, I started on the rather ambitious project of creating the Just Plain Mittens bundle.
The newer version had five sizes, better fit, a better design for the sewn liners, and was available in three yarn weights. However, despite making about a million mittens while designing and testing this pattern, a few issues remained—not so much with the design (though the thumb could use a little tweaking) as with the pattern layout.
Also? The yarn manufacturer discontinued that bulky yarn too, and it had a gauge that was difficult to find substitutes for. (This time, Knit Picks Biggo. I’m so sad. Do you know how much of that yarn I have that I can no longer design with? Sigh. But I digress…)
So, when I decided to move my knitwear design business to my new site and undertake the project of updating all my patterns to have better layout, formatting, and low vision accessible formats in 2023, I knew that this particular pattern would need more than minor tweaking. It was going to need an overhaul. Which is why it is one of the last previously published patterns I tackled.
But now…
The New and Improved Just Plain Mittens are here!
Okay, so what’s so great about these mittens, you ask?
Well, let me tell you. :-)
What’s the same:
The pattern is still available in three yarn weights: Bulky, Worsted, and Fingering.
It still includes both a short- and a long-cuff variation.
The fingering-weight size includes instructions to make a Shell (regular mitten) or a Liner (to go inside a Shell).
The pattern still includes instructions to make a sewn liner out of fleece, if you prefer. (You also don’t need a liner at all, if you don’t want!)
These mittens are a fantastic blank canvas to showcase exciting yarn colourways or your own colourwork designs.
What’s new:
It now comes in six sizes, from Toddler (5.5-inch or 14-cm hand circumference) up to Adult Extra-Large (10.5-inch or 26.5-cm hand circumference). (The largest size is new.)
The bulky weight has been completely redesigned to use Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Superwash Bulky ↗, a hardy 100% wool yarn that comes in gorgeous colours, has a gauge that’s easy to find substitutes for ↗, and is a staple in Knit Picks’ line that isn’t likely to disappear anytime soon.
The thumb has been redesigned for better fit. Instead of tapering to the end as the original design did, it’s now straight, with plenty of wiggle room for holding warmth.
The entire pattern has been redesigned for a more consistent fit in all sizes. This required spreadsheets and some really technical math. So much math. But now they all fit better—even the fleece liners.
It is now available in three formats: standard PDF format for printing, plus the two low-vision-accessible formats—ePUB and large print screen-reader-accessible PDF.
The new bulky weight mittens in Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Superwash Bulky will be a much better fit with these new thumbs. The top pair in teal are Size 3 (Junior & Ladies Small), and the bottom ones in green are Size 2 (Child).
Here’s one of the teal ones one my hand. (They are slightly too small for me, but they would still work.)
That’s not all! While I was at it, I learned a whole new software program so I could create a decent schematic and all-new digital sewn liner patterns! (I don’t know if you’ve ever wanted a mitten pattern with a schematic, but after you get one, you’ll wonder how you lived without it! Probably. Heehee.)
I actually learned two software programs while formatting this pattern—the design software for the graphics, and a publishing format software to lay out the Standard PDF pattern in a more professional (and easier to read) layout than I’ve ever been able to achieve before. (No one may notice the difference but me, but I’m celebrating anyway.)
However, here’s one more thing that didn’t change: most of the photos. Many of the sample photos for this pattern feature the old thumb design. I’ve tried to label these as such in the pattern where it’s obvious, but I didn’t want you to be confused, as I didn’t want to take two years to republish this pattern while I sample knit every size.
The new thumbs on the bulky mittens above? All the thumbs are like that now.
But the rest of these images? They have the old thumbs and feature the old Biggo yarn. Just so you know. But still, they’re so bright and cheerful to look at, they always make me smile.
Bulky mitten in Size 5 (Adult Large) with long cuff (and old thumb design).
Worsted mitten in Size 1 (Toddler) with long cuff (and old thumb). Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Worsted.
Fingering-weight mitten in Size 3 (Junior and Adult Small) with a long cuff and old thumb. Also, I’m modeling these again, and again, they’re slightly too small, because they were a gift for a friend. I have really big hands for a woman! Yarn: Knit Picks Chroma in “Avalon”.
Fingering-weight liner pattern in Size 2 (Child). Yarn: Knit Picks Stroll in “Wonderland Heather”. Pro tip: if you don’t sew in the liners, you’ll have more flexibility to dress for the weather—but kids are definitely going to have more to lose, so just sew theirs in, okay?
I’m introducing the bundle at 33% off. So make sure you snap it up before this deal goes away!
Just a basket o’ mittens, hangin’ out and bein’ chill.
I would love to hear your thoughts on this new pattern bundle! What will you do to make it your own? Are you looking forward to making some extra-warm mittens with liners? Let me know in the comments!
Show off your Finished Objects!
Has one of my patterns helped you create some knitting magic? I would love a chance to showcase your amazing work to the rest of the community in an upcoming blog post and newsletter. To be featured, share your project in the new thread I just created in my Ravelry community or send me an email. Make sure to include “Permission to repost” so I know you’re okay with me sharing it here. (I’ll confirm with you before I use it and give credit.)
While you’re in my Ravelry community, please pop over to the Introductions thread and let me know who you are. It’s been pretty quiet in the community, and I’d love to hear from you. More than that, I can’t wait to see what you’ve been making!
Happy knitting, Magic Maker!
I’m re-launching a newly re-designed favourite pattern bundle in the Just Plain Collection: the Just Plain Mittens! See what’s new, and read to the end for a special invitation to feature your work.