The Frosted Briar Mitts: A Free Knitting Pattern for Textured, Cabled Fingerless Gloves

Introduction: The Quiet Beauty of Winter

Embrace the quiet beauty of winter with these intricately cabled fingerless gloves, designed to evoke the delicate pattern of frost on a briar patch. The rich, textured cables and cozy thumb gusset make them a luxurious and practical accessory for chilly days. Whether you're sipping hot cocoa by the fire or braving a brisk walk, these mitts will keep your hands warm while allowing your fingers the freedom to text, turn pages, or sip your drink. The symmetrical cable pattern, framed by reverse stockinette stitch, creates a stunning visual that mimics the thorny branches of a briar bush. This pattern is perfect for adventurous beginners who want to tackle cables in a manageable, wearable project.

Materials Needed

To create your own Frosted Briar Mitts, gather the following materials:

• Yarn: Worsted weight (Aran/10 ply) wool or wool blend yarn, approximately 150-200 yards (137-183 meters). The sample shown uses a deep heather grey, but any solid or semi-solid color will showcase the cables beautifully.
• Knitting Needles: US Size 6 (4.0 mm) and US Size 8 (5.0 mm) knitting needles (or size needed to obtain gauge). You can use straight needles or circular needles for working flat.
• Cable Needle: A small cable needle (or a double-pointed needle of similar size) for the cable crossings.
• Other Notions: Stitch holders or waste yarn for holding thumb stitches, tapestry needle for weaving in ends and seaming, scissors, and a tape measure.

Gauge: 20 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch on larger needles, after blocking. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for a proper fit.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This pattern is worked flat in two pieces (front and back) and seamed, leaving an opening for the thumb. The cable pattern is worked on the front panel only. The instructions are written for Small/Medium size, with Medium/Large size in parentheses.

Abbreviations

• CO: Cast on
• K: Knit
• P: Purl
• C4F: Slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in front, knit next 2 stitches from left needle, then knit 2 stitches from cable needle.
• C4B: Slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in back, knit next 2 stitches from left needle, then knit 2 stitches from cable needle.
• M1L: Make 1 left (increase) – pick up the bar between stitches from front to back and knit through the back loop.
• M1R: Make 1 right (increase) – pick up the bar between stitches from back to front and knit through the front loop.
• K2tog: Knit 2 together (decrease)
• SSK: Slip, slip, knit (decrease)
• St(s): Stitch(es)

Front Panel (Make 2)

Cuff Ribbing:
With smaller needles (US Size 6), CO 38 (42) sts.
Row 1 (WS): P2, *K2, P2; repeat from * to end.
Row 2 (RS): K2, *P2, K2; repeat from * to end.
Repeat Rows 1-2 for 1.5 inches (4 cm), ending with a WS row.

Body of Glove:
Switch to larger needles (US Size 8).
Set-up Row (RS): K4 (6), P2, K4, P2, K6, P2, K4, P2, K4 (6). (Total sts: 38/42)
Row 1 (WS): P4 (6), K2, P4, K2, P6, K2, P4, K2, P4 (6).
Row 2 (RS): K4 (6), P2, C4F, P2, K6, P2, C4B, P2, K4 (6).
Row 3: P4 (6), K2, P4, K2, P6, K2, P4, K2, P4 (6).
Row 4: K4 (6), P2, K4, P2, K6, P2, K4, P2, K4 (6).
Row 5: P4 (6), K2, P4, K2, P6, K2, P4, K2, P4 (6).
Row 6: K4 (6), P2, K4, P2, K6, P2, K4, P2, K4 (6).
Repeat Rows 1-6 until piece measures 4 inches (10 cm) from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

Thumb Gusset (Right Glove):
Next Row (RS): K4 (6), P2, C4F, P2, K6, P2, C4B, P2, M1R, K to end. (39/43 sts)
Next Row (WS): P to last 4 (6) sts, K4 (6).
Next Row (RS): K4 (6), P2, K4, P2, K6, P2, K4, P2, M1L, K to last st, M1R, K1. (41/45 sts)
Next Row (WS): P to last 4 (6) sts, K4 (6).
Continue in pattern, working increases on RS rows every other row as follows: On RS rows, work the cable pattern across the first 35 (39) sts, then M1R, K to last st, M1R, K1. On WS rows, P to last 4 (6) sts, K4 (6). Continue until you have 12 (14) sts between the last cable and the edge. (Total sts: 47/53)
Next Row (WS): Work in pattern across first 35 (39) sts, place next 12 (14) sts on a holder for thumb, work to end. (35/39 sts remain)

Left Glove: Work thumb gusset increases on the opposite side (after the last cable). On RS rows, work K4 (6), P2, C4F, P2, K6, P2, C4B, P2, then K to last 4 (6) sts, M1L, K to end. On WS rows, P to last 4 (6) sts, K4 (6).

Upper Hand:
Continue in pattern on the 35 (39) sts until piece measures 7 (7.5) inches from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.
Switch to smaller needles (US Size 6).
Next Row (RS): K2, *P2, K2; repeat from * to end.
Next Row (WS): P2, *K2, P2; repeat from * to end.
Work ribbing for 1 inch (2.5 cm). Bind off loosely in pattern.

Back Panel (Make 2)

With smaller needles (US Size 6), CO 38 (42) sts.
Work in K2, P2 ribbing for 1.5 inches (4 cm).
Switch to larger needles (US Size 8).
Work in stockinette stitch (knit on RS, purl on WS) until piece measures same length as front panel to thumb opening (approximately 4 inches from cast-on edge).
Bind off loosely.

Finishing

Sew the side seams of each glove using a mattress stitch or backstitch, leaving a 2-inch (5 cm) opening for the thumb. The thumb opening should align with the held thumb stitches. Sew the thumb opening closed by grafting or seaming the held stitches. Weave in all ends with a tapestry needle. Block gently by wetting or steaming to open up the cables and even out the stitches. Lay flat to dry.

Enjoy your cozy, textured Frosted Briar Mitts—a perfect accessory for adding a touch of winter magic to any outfit!