Frosted Berry Nordic Mittens Free Pattern – Cozy Fair Isle Knit

Wrap your hands in the warmth of a Nordic winter with these stunning Fair Isle mittens, featuring a modern berry and snowflake motif. This free pattern guides you through creating a snug, textured pair that’s as beautiful as it is functional. Whether you're a seasoned knitter or ready to tackle your first stranded colorwork project, these mittens are the perfect way to bring a touch of Scandinavian charm to your winter wardrobe.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies to ensure a smooth knitting experience:

• Yarn: Worsted weight yarn in three colors:
  • Main Color (MC) – Cream (approx 120g)
  • Contrast Color 1 (CC1) – Deep Berry Red (approx 60g)
  • Contrast Color 2 (CC2) – Forest Green (approx 40g)
  Suggested: Wool of the Andes Tweed by Knit Picks or similar worsted weight yarn.
• Needles: US 6 (4.0 mm) double-pointed needles (DPNs) or circular needle for magic loop, plus US 5 (3.75 mm) DPNs for ribbing.
• Notions: Stitch markers, waste yarn or stitch holder, tapestry needle for weaving in ends.
• Gauge: 22 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch on larger needles (after blocking). Adjust needle size to achieve gauge.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Sizes: Adult Medium (approx 8 inches hand circumference, 10.5 inches length).

Abbreviations

• k = knit
• p = purl
• k2tog = knit two together
• ssk = slip slip knit (slip two stitches knitwise, then knit them together through back loops)
• pm = place marker
• m1L = make one left (increase)
• m1R = make one right (increase)
• MC, CC1, CC2 as listed above

Cuff (Make Both Alike)

1. With smaller needles (US 5) and MC, cast on 40 stitches. Distribute evenly over 4 DPNs (10 stitches each). Join in the round, being careful not to twist.
2. Work K2, P2 ribbing for 2.5 inches (approx 18 rounds). This creates a snug, stretchy cuff that will keep the cold out.

Hand (Worked in Stranded Colorwork)

3. Switch to larger needles (US 6). Knit one round with MC, increasing 4 stitches evenly across the round (44 stitches total).
4. Begin the Fair Isle chart (see below). Work rounds 1-20 of the chart, carrying yarns loosely across the back to prevent puckering. The chart is worked over 22 stitches, so repeat it twice around the mitten.
5. After completing the chart, continue in stockinette stitch with MC only until the piece measures 4 inches from the top of the ribbing (or until the mitten reaches the base of your thumb).

Thumb Gusset

6. On the next round, work as follows: k22 (back of hand), place marker, k1, pm, k21 (palm).
7. Increase round: k to marker, slip marker, k1, m1L, k to next marker, m1R, slip marker, k to end. (2 stitches increased)
8. Repeat the increase round every 3 rounds, 5 more times (total 6 increases, 12 stitches added). Work the thumb stitches in MC, keeping the rest of the hand in pattern if you're still working the chart.
9. After the last increase, work one round even. On the next round, place the 13 thumb stitches (between markers) onto a waste yarn holder. Cast on 1 stitch over the gap (using the backward loop method) to bridge, and continue knitting the remaining 43 stitches in the round.

Body of Mitten

10. Continue in stockinette stitch with MC until the mitten measures 8 inches from the top of the ribbing (or 1 inch less than your desired total length).

Decreases for Top

11. Round 1: *k2tog, k8, ssk* repeat from * to * around (36 stitches).
12. Round 2 and all even rounds: knit even.
13. Round 3: *k2tog, k6, ssk* repeat around (28 stitches).
14. Round 5: *k2tog, k4, ssk* repeat around (20 stitches).
15. Round 7: *k2tog, k2, ssk* repeat around (12 stitches).
16. Round 9: *k2tog, ssk* repeat around (8 stitches).
17. Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches, pull tight, and weave in end securely.

Thumb

18. Transfer 13 thumb stitches back onto DPNs. Pick up 3 stitches from the cast-on bridge (total 16 stitches).
19. Knit in the round with MC for 2 inches (or until the thumb covers your thumb comfortably).
20. Decrease round: *k2tog* repeat around (8 stitches). Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches, pull tight, and weave in end.

Finishing

21. Weave in all ends carefully, especially at the colorwork joins and thumb base.
22. Block gently to even out the colorwork and relax the stitches. Lay flat to dry.

Fair Isle Chart (Read Right to Left, Bottom to Top)

This chart creates the beautiful berry and snowflake motif. Each row represents one round of knitting. Repeat the 22-stitch pattern twice around the mitten.

• Row 1: MC, MC, CC1, MC, MC, MC, CC1, MC, MC, MC, CC1, MC, MC, MC, CC1, MC, MC, MC, CC1, MC, MC, MC
• Row 2: MC, CC1, CC2, CC1, MC, MC, CC1, CC2, CC1, MC, MC, CC1, CC2, CC1, MC, MC, CC1, CC2, CC1, MC, MC, CC1
• Row 3: CC1, CC2, MC, CC2, CC1, CC1, CC2, MC, CC2, CC1, CC1, CC2, MC, CC2, CC1, CC1, CC2, MC, CC2, CC1, CC1, CC2
• Row 4: MC, CC1, CC2, CC1, MC, MC, CC1, CC2, CC1, MC, MC, CC1, CC2, CC1, MC, MC, CC1, CC2, CC1, MC, MC, CC1
• Row 5: MC, MC, CC1, MC, MC, MC, CC1, MC, MC, MC, CC1, MC, MC, MC, CC1, MC, MC, MC, CC1, MC, MC, MC
• Rows 6-10: Repeat rows 1-5.
• Row 11: MC, MC, CC2, MC, MC, MC, CC2, MC, MC, MC, CC2, MC, MC, MC, CC2, MC, MC, MC, CC2, MC, MC, MC
• Row 12: MC, CC2, CC1, CC2, MC, MC, CC2, CC1, CC2, MC, MC, CC2, CC1, CC2, MC, MC, CC2, CC1, CC2, MC, MC, CC2
• Row 13: CC2, CC1, MC, CC1, CC2, CC2, CC1, MC, CC1, CC2, CC2, CC1, MC, CC1, CC2, CC2, CC1, MC, CC1, CC2, CC2, CC1
• Row 14: MC, CC2, CC1, CC2, MC, MC, CC2, CC1, CC2, MC, MC, CC2, CC1, CC2, MC, MC, CC2, CC1, CC2, MC, MC, CC2
• Row 15: MC, MC, CC2, MC, MC, MC, CC2, MC, MC, MC, CC2, MC, MC, MC, CC2, MC, MC, MC, CC2, MC, MC, MC
• Rows 16-20: Repeat rows 11-15.

Pro Tip: When working stranded colorwork, remember to keep your floats loose. A good rule of thumb is to spread the stitches on your right needle before carrying the yarn across, which prevents the fabric from pulling in. If you're new to Fair Isle, practice on a small swatch first to get comfortable with carrying two yarns.

These Frosted Berry Nordic Mittens make a wonderful gift or a treat for yourself. The combination of cream, deep berry red, and forest green evokes the beauty of a winter forest, and the dense worsted weight fabric will keep your hands toasty warm. Happy knitting!