Back of Beyond
In one phase of parenting, I read Julia Donaldson’s “Room on the Broom”… a lot. It’s a charming book about a cheery witch and her found family of animals, and there’s a phrase about how “they shot through the sky to the back of beyond” that I have always loved for its poetic imagery.
For my final offering in the 2022 Head to Toe with Kino and Jo Knitalong, I’ve designed bold graphic mittens with a shocking inverse of patterning on each side. It’s taking the back of each mitten to beyond awesome.
Back of Beyond was created for quarter 4 (Hands) of the Head 2 Toe with Kino and Jo knitalong (KAL), a year-long event with Kino Knits and Jesie Ostermiller. Throughout 2022, knit a pattern in specific categories by either designer for the chance to win prizes! Visit the KAL FAQ page for more information and tag your entries on social media with #Head2ToeKAL.
Visit Mitchell’s Creations for specially curated kits for this pattern.
What test knitters had to say:
“Once I got the colorwork pattern it fell into a nice rhythm and it was very enjoyable to knit. I love the design - from the inside pop to the arrows pointing up.”
“Everyone who has seen it is impressed by the mitten: I brought it to my knitting group and they don’t impress easily.”
“I liked your video [on knitting stranded colorwork] - that really helped me keep the tension even.”
“I loved the charts and how the keys were on every page!”
Sizes (actual mitten measurements; choose a size slightly larger than actual hand circumference):
Size: Circumference, Cuff Length, Hand Length, Thumb Gusset Length, Thumb Length
1: 6.75”/17 cm, 3”/7.5 cm, 6”/15 cm, 2.5”/6.5 cm, 2.25”/5.5 cm
2: 7.5”/19 cm, 3”/7.5 cm, 6.75”/17 cm, 2.75”/7 cm, 2.5”/6.5 cm
3: 8”/20 cm, 3”/7.5 cm, 7.5”/19 cm, 3”/7.5 cm, 2.75”/7 cm
4: 8.5”/22 cm, 3”/7.5 cm, 8.25”/21 cm, 3.25”/8 cm, 3”/7.5 cm
Yarn (includes 15% buffer):
Two colors contrasting DK yarn
C1: 110 (135, 155, 165) yards/ 101 (123, 142, 151) m
C2: 60 (80, 95, 110) yards/ 55 (73, 87, 101) m
Sample shown in Size 3 in on hands measuring 7.5”/19 cm circumference in Mitchell’s Creations Fountainbleau DK (80% superwash merino, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon), 231 yds/211 m per 3.5 oz/100 g), C1: Boyfriend Jeans, C2: Life’s a Beach)
Blocked Gauge:
26 stitches and 30 rnds = 4”/10 cm in colorwork pattern in the rnd using larger needles
Tools:
3 stitch markers (1 should be unique)
Stitch holder or waste yarn for holding thumb stitches
Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
Scissors for trimming ends
Needles:
US 3 and 5 (3.25 and 3.75 mm) needles for knitting a small circumference in the rnd, or sizes needed to obtain gauge
Social Media:
Please post your finished mittens on social media with #BackOfBeyondMittens and #KinoKnits. Please also tag @kinoknits.