Ulchabháin is the Irish word for owls. These mittens are named for the pair of owls which adorn these cozy Aran weight mittens, perfect for frosty autumn evenings. The mittens are a perfect match for the Ulchabháin Cowl. Yarn used in this design is organic merino Aran weight from Dharma Dyeworks, an Irish Indie dyer. One skein of each color is enough to knit both the cowl and pair of mittens in the smallest size.

Size

S (M, L) Finished circumference 7 (8, 8.5)” by 7.75 (8.75, 10)”/ (18 (20, 22) by 20 (22.5, 25) cm.

Shown in size Small.

Yarn

Dharma Dyeworks (Organic Merino Aran Weight; 181 yards [166 meters]/100 grams): A Soft Day (MC) 1 (1, 1) ball; Ruby Slippers (CC) 1 (1, 1) ball.

Needles

Size US 7 (4.5 mm): DPNs and/or circular needle for magic loop

Size US 8 (5 mm): DPNs and/or circular needle for magic loop

Notions

4 markers; tapestry needle. Yarn holder or scrap yarn

Gauge

16 sts and 20 rows = 4” [10 cm] in St st after wet blocking.

Abbreviations

Please see our standard abbreviations.

Slip Stitch ribbing: With MC *K1, Sl 1 wyib, rep from * until end of rnd. With CC, *Sl 1 wyib, p1, rep from * until end of rnd. Note: two rnds are worked to create 1 rnd in pattern.

Two color cast on: Holding both yarns together make a slip knot and place on needle, this stitch is not counted in stitch count. Hold needle in right hand and yarns in left (just like a long-tail CO). *With MC, CO 1 st. Switch yarns by bringing the yarn in the front UNDER the other yarn. With CC, CO 1 st. Switch yarns by bringing the yarn in the front UNDER the other yarn.* Rep from * to * until you have correct amount of sts.  Slip the double knot off the needle before joining in the round. After a few rounds have been worked, the slip knot can be pulled. See our step-by-step tutorial here.

Grafting: See tutorial here.

Pattern Notes

The mittens are worked in the round from the bottom up, starting with a two color cast on, merging into two color slip stitch ribbing. The striped thumb gusset is shaped as the color work motif is created in two colors. Stitches are set aside for the thumb as the remainder of the mitt is worked and shaped. The top of the mitt is grafted together before returning to complete the stripped thumb. All colorwork is charted. The pattern gives two options for cast ons, please use your preference.

Charts

Size Small

Size Medium

Size Large

Pattern

Mitten (Make 2)

Option 1: Two color cast on

CO 30 (30, 34) sts using two color cast on and smaller needles. Join in the rnd, being careful not to twist stitches. Pm to mark BOR.

Ribbing

Work 8 (10, 12) rnds in two color slip stitch ribbing.

Change to larger needles and MC

Work 2 (4, 4) rnds in St st.

Option 2: Single color cast on

CO 30 (30, 34) sts using MC and smaller needles. Join in the rnd, being careful not to twist stitches. Pm to mark BOR.

Ribbing

With *MC k1, CC k1* rep until end of rnd

Work 7, (9, 11 rnds in two color slip stitch ribbing.

Follow the rest of the instructions regardless of which cast on method you chose.

Change to larger needles and MC

Work 2 (4, 4) rnds in St st.

Charts

Following colors on chosen chart size

Rnd 1: K15 (15, 17) m1, k15 (15, 17); 31 (31, 35) sts.

Rnd 2 and all even-numbered rnds to 16, (18, 18): Knit.

Rnd 3: K15 (15, 17), m1r, k1, m1l, k15 (15, 17); 33 (33, 37) sts.

Rnd 5: K16 (16, 18), m1r, k1, m1l, k16 (16, 18); 35 (35, 39) sts.

Rnd 7: K17 (17, 19), m1r, k1, m1l, k17 (17, 19); 37 (37, 41) sts.

Rnd 9: K18 (18, 20), m1r, k1, m1l, k18 (18, 20); 39 (39, 43) sts.

Rnd 11: K19 (19, 21), m1r, k1, m1l, k19 (19, 21); 41 (41, 45) sts.

Small Size only

Rnd 13: Knit.

Rnd 15: Knit.

Rnd 16: Knit. This is the end of the chart.

Medium and large sizes

Rnd 13: K- (20, 22), m1r, k1, m1l, k – (20, 22); – (43, 47) sts.

Rnd 15: K- (21, 23), m1r, k1, m1l, k- (21, 23); – (45, 49) sts.

Rnd 16: Knit. This is the end of the chart for the Medium.

Large size only

Rnd 17: Knit; – (-, 49) sts.

Rnd 18: Knit. This is the end of the chart for the Large.

Continue Here for All Sizes

Divide for thumb (All Sizes)

With MC; K15 (15, 17), place next 11 (15, 15) sts on yarn holder or waste yarn, k15 (15, 17); 30 (30, 34) sts.

Next rnd: K 15 (15, 17), CO 2, (4, 4) sts, k15 (15, 17); 32 (34, 38) sts.

Work 12 (14, 16) rnds in St st. Note: You will only be working the body of the mitten. The thumb stitches will be held separately and you will work them later (see below).

Dec section

Rnd 1: K1, ssk, k10 (11, 13), k2tog, k2, ssk, k10 (11, 13), k2tog, k1; 28 (30, 34) sts.

Rnd 2 and all even-numbered rnds to 10: Knit.

Rnd 3: K1, ssk, k8 (9, 11), k2tog, k2, ssk, k8 (9, 11), k2tog, k1; 24 (26, 30) sts.

Rnd 5: K1, ssk, k6 (7, 9), k2tog, k2, ssk, k6 (7, 9), k2tog, k1; 20 (22, 26) sts.

Rnd 7: K1, ssk, k4 (5, 7), k2tog, k2, ssk, k4 (5, 7), k2tog, k1; 16 (18, 22) sts.

Rnd 9: K1, ssk, k2 (3, 5), k2tog, k2, ssk, k2 (3, 5), k2tog, k1; 12 (14, 18) sts.

Rnd 10: Knit.

Large size only

Rnd 11: K1, ssk, k- (-, 3), k2tog, k2, ssk, k- (-, 3), k2tog, k1; 12 (14, 14) sts.

Rnd 12: Knit.

Grafting

Place 6 (7, 7) sts on 1 dpn and the next 6 (7, 7) sts on another and graft sts together using Kitchener st.

Thumb

Place 11 (15, 15) sts from yarn holder onto DPNs.

Rnd 1: PUK 3 (3, 3) sts using CC, MC, CC and continue to work rnd in est color patt of thumb gusset; 14 (18, 18 sts). Note that you will be working in stripes as est.

Work 8 (10, 12) rnds in St st in est patt.

*Next rnd: CDD with MC, work in patt until end of rnd; 12 (16, 16) sts.

Work 1 rnd in est pattern.*

Work from * to * once (twice, twice) more times; 10 (12, 12) sts.

With MC, cut yarn and pull through live sts. Pull tight to close hole and weave in end. Secure end of CC color.

Finishing

Weave in all ends and block to dimensions.