A marine layer is an air mass that forms over the surface of a large body of water which often creates fog within itself. This quick to knit coordinating set is inspired by this weather pattern. Create either a scarf with matching mitts, or a buttoned cowl and two sets of mitts with colors reversed, with only a few skeins of yarn. Using twisted rib and two complementary colors in “singles” yarn to imitate layers forming over water and fog enclosing fog, these accessories combine visual appeal with coziness and warmth. Perfect for fall knitting!
Yarn
Main Color (MC): 2 skeins Malabrigo Merino Worsted (100% Merino Wool, 210 yards / 192 meters, 3.5 ounces / 100 grams per skein)
Contrast Color (CC): 1 skein Malabrigo Merino Worsted (100% Merino Wool, 210 yards / 192 meters, 3.5 ounces / 100 grams per skein)
Samples knit with Violettas and Orchid (purple set), and Vaa and Vetiver (green set).
Please see note for more detailed information about yardage
Needles
Size 5 (3.75 mm) needles for circular knitting; double pointed, one long circular, or two short circulars (or size to achieve gauge)
Notions
Small stitch holder/coil-less safety pin/scrap of contrasting yarn to hold thumb stitches
Stitch marker or scrap of yarn to mark beginning of round
Gauge
26 sts and 40 rnds = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch on smaller needles
30 sts and 32 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in unstretched twisted rib on larger needles
Size and Finished Measurements
One size, Average Adult Woman
6 inches (15 cm) circumference around hand (stretches to fit much larger sizes – my husband could just wear them and normally wears a medium to large men’s sized glove)
Yarn requirements are given for making one set of mitts and a scarf, or two sets of mitts with the colors reversed and the cowl. If you wish to make all pieces, two sets of mitts, the cowl and the scarf, you should purchase an extra skein of the CC. When I made the cowl set, I used almost every yard of the CC; and when I made the scarf set, I had about 20 yards left of the CC. Even small differences in gauge can affect yardage requirements, however, so if you are uncomfortable with this margin, or wish to have more yarn for swatching, please purchase an additional skein of the CC. If you like playing yarn chicken as I do, you can take your chances with one. I have included yardage estimates including an extra 10% with each part of the pattern, so you can assess your own requirements, as well. If substituting yarns, please choose an Aran or heavy worsted weight yarn with lots of spring in solid, semi-solid, or tonal colors. I preferred these pieces knit with loosely spun yarn, but they would look equally beautiful with a plied yarn.
Abbreviations
Please see our standard abbreviations
Improved SSK – This is optional, but I prefer to use it rather than the standard SSK, as I find it a little more tidy. You may use a standard SSK if you prefer. Slip one stitch from left needle to right as if to knit, slip next stitch from left needle to right as if to purl. Insert left needle into front of two slipped stitches on right needle, and knit both together through back loops.
Mitt Instructions
(Make 2) [Yardage Requirements: MC – 107 yards (98 meters), CC – 10 yards (9 meters). To make second set, reversing colors, factor in additional yardage as follows: MC – 10 yards (9 meters), CC – 107 yards (98 meters).]
With CC, using needles for working in the rnd, CO 40 sts. Change to MC, and beg with 1st cast on st, work *k1tbl, p1; rep from * until end of row, join being careful not to twist.
Continue working in the rnd in twisted rib for 3 inches (7.5 cm).
Increase for thumb gusset
Knit 35 sts, p1, m1r, k3, m1l, p1; 42 sts
Next 2 rounds: K35, P1, K5, P1
Repeat these three rnds, knitting the increasing thumb stitches between purls, until there are 13 sts between purls and 50 sts total.
Next rnd: K36 (you will knit a purl st), place 13 sts on spare yarn or coil-less safety pin, CO 5 sts, k1 (you will knit a purl st) – 42 stitches rem.
Decrease rnd: Knit to last 7 sts, ssk, k3, k2tog – 40 sts rem.
Knit one round plain.
Work 2 inches (5 cm) in twisted rib. Bind off in pattern with CC.
Thumb
Place thumb sts on DPN’s, then with MC, k13, pu5, pm to indicate beginning of rnd – 18 sts
Next Rnd (decrease rnd): K12, K2tog, K3, SSK (Remove marker, use last stitch together with first stitch of next rnd, which becomes new first stitch. Replace m to indicate new beg of rnd.) – 16 sts rem. [If you have a wide thumb, you may omit these decreases, and simply knit the rnd plain for a total of 7 plain rnds. I prefer to decrease, as it hides any gaps from picking up sts, and makes a little neater thumb.]
Knit 6 more rnds plain. Bind off in pattern with CC.
Make second mitt in the same way. Weave in all ends, wash and lightly block (being careful not to overstretch the ribbing).
About the Designer: Ranée Mueller
Ranée Mueller has been knitting since 1987 and designing as Arabian Knits Designs since 2004. She loves working with texture, cables and lace, and using color in unexpected ways. Her designs can be found on Ravelry and in Storey Publishing’s One Skein Wonder series. She writes about her love of knitting, cooking, and family at https://arabianknits.blogspot.com/
Leave a Reply