Knit Mitts

I read a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. This book is a great resource for any one who wants to knit mitts be it a beginner or a more experienced knitter who would like to have handy sizing charts at their fingertips. The instructions are conveyed in a clear and concise manner and there is a nice assortment of attractive patterns to chose from. I would highly recommend this book an plan on purchasing a copy to have on hand when designing mitt patterns myself.

I really cannot be more enthusiastic about this book! In fact, my husband and Small should watch out for some inevitable mittens come Christmas Day.

There are two parts to the book, the technical part and the patterns part. The technical section, accounting for the first several chapters is all about measurements, gauge, yarn selection, construction... It includes size tables, huge amounts of advice and tips and generally everything to get the geeky amongst us super enthusiastic about making some beautiful custom mittens.

Then the patterns. These are absolutely lovely, and there is really something for everyone. Personally I am particularly keen on two colourwork patterns: Braewick, some charming fingerless gloves and Warmth of the Sun which are full mittens with the cutest sunflower design.

I really think that anyone considering making mittens of gloves should have a serious look st this book!

Goodreads Rating: n/a–would be 4 stars
NetGalley Rating: 5 stars

All the charts, measurement guides, and formulas you loved in "Custom Socks" are back, but this time for making mittens and gloves! I’m not much of a mitten/glove knitter, but I can still see myself buying a copy of this to have on hand (heh, unintended pun…) because the formulas and charts are indispensable.

Although I did not work through the creating of my own custom pattern with my own gauge, I did read through the basic glove and mitten patterns and found them easy to understand and very user friendly in terms of plugging in the proper numbers for your size/gauge. These basic patterns guide you through regular, cuff up, closed top mittens and gloves, as well as fingerless mittens and gloves. There’s also a brief section on modifications and additions to your pattern, not only in adjusting sizes, but in fabric construction. These additional goodies include a basic pattern for adding a flip top to a fingerless glove (I loved the buttonhole thumb on this) and a basic pattern for baby mittens (no need for thumbs!) as well as instructions for how to make a fabric mitten liner, adding thrums, and creating a mitten harness.

In addition to the variety of charts of sizes and gauges, there were also substantial charts that showed correct increase ratios from cuff to hand and the proper ratio of increasing for the thumb gusset based on gauge/size.

The section on adjusting the shape of the accessories to unique shaped hands was much less than that in the sock book. However, mittens (and even gloves) can be a bit more forgiving and easier to fudge to fit than socks, where the few stitch difference between a high and a low arch can mean substantial fit issues. A hand is pretty flat throughout, so regardless of quirks it may have, a general pattern will likely need less substantial adaptations to fit.

The individual patterns did not have a “lesson” that introduces them in addition the design inspiration blurb, as in "Custom Socks." However, anything that could be included in one of these pre-pattern lesson pages is already contained within the chapters on construction, so none of the patterns really would have benefited from having the exact same information repeated again; however, a reference to the relevant page(s) would have been nice (e.g. for the Roebling gloves, referencing the pages on colorwork and double stranded knitting).

None of the patterns included stood out as anything I would make, but they’re still nice to have as a reference on how to size up or down for certain elements (cables, lace, colorwork). It is a mitten-heavy selection, with only two of the nine patterns being for gloves.

As I mentioned above, I can definitely see myself buying a copy of this eventually, and would definitely recommend it to other knitters. Atherley’s presentation of information is excellent, and she always presents the formulas and charts in a way that makes the entire math thing less intimidating, and more like a fun quest to find your perfect pattern!

This book has a wide range of mittens to knit and I know that I will be knitting some of them. I would recommend this book to anyone who knits and loves a challenge.

A great beginners tool or handy guide to have on hand anyway no matter your skill level as this book covers it all.

From sizing tips, yarn amount required, working with felt, lining and of course, wool we are guided through various methods of creating and making successfully, mittens and gloves for any shape or size hands.

This book is extremely detailed and is complete with colourful pictures to annotate the types of gloves and mitts you too can create.

Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

Perhaps your hands are always cold. Perhaps the stated pattern size is not quite one that matches the hands you wish to keep warm. Perhaps you want to learn a little more about mittens and gloves and figure out how best to make ones that fit comfortably. Atherley's newest book delivers.

At 144 pages, this book is jam packed with detail. Kate provided comprehensive research about foot sizes in her previous book, Custom Socks Knit to Fit Your Feet, and has done the same here for hands. This has allowed her to develop a solid basic pattern that is based on the sizes of real hands. This also helps her to offer rational ratios for when one needs to guess a size. It also helps her to provide helpful and straightforward tips and tricks.

My favourite mittens wore out at the end of last winter and I've put off knitting a new pair. Kate's book provides this mostly-sock knitter confidence to keep my hands properly warm. I now have a better understanding of what yarns are best for my hands to wear well, prevent pilling, and most importantly keep my always-cold fingers warm.

I love that there are charts for everything from estimated yardage to stitch counts for a range of gauges and sizes. Think of this as an expanded, annotated, and thoroughly modern version of Ann Budd's classic, The Knitter’s Handy Book of Patterns.

If you find yourself glassy eyed after reading through the first five chapters which cover sizing, yarn selection, standard construction, basic patterns, and ideas and tips for customization, the sixth chapter is for you. It provides ten delightful patterns that range from warm yet lacy fingerless mitts (remember, yarn choice matters) to gloves with texture or colourwork and more.

There's something here for every knitter who wishes to keep a pair of hands warm. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go knit. Winter will soon be here.

Knit Mitts Your Hand-y Guide to Knitting Mittens & Gloves by Kate Atherley
What struck me first off was the wreath of mittens-so cool and I can do this!
I found this book to be very math oriented as you do need to do the numbers to get the right fit, everything from infants to adult sizes are included so charts are large.
Starts out with all the measurements you would ever need for any member of your family. It's going to fit like a second skin.
Adjustments can be made along the way. Special notes included.
I love seeing some of the patterns on the mittens and know they'd be good for even charity afghans. Other chapters include how to pick the right yarns for warmth.
Other strategies can be used to gain more warmth. Love color knitting patterns as they will go with any coat and outfit.
There's even a chart to estimate the yardage needed. I have done production work myself so understand about the ounces needed to make a project. So much math is used on the technical side to getting the perfect fit
Love the diagrams and pictures of the work as it's being done, really helps to explain what is going on.
Basic patterns are included along with variations for casting on, working cuff, thumb gusset and all other parts of the mitts.
Some of the photos are very dark in color making it difficult to see the stitches and patterns used.
So many charts to help you make the right size for the pattern you chose.
Especially like the section where they show a swatch of different rib patterns and how to make them-good part of a resource book for future projects also.
Patterns include not only charted instructions but everything is spelled out for you.
Like the abbreviation section because it tell you in various ways how to inc or dec and other knitting techniques.
Love twisted cables pattern the best and the other works by this author are highlighted at the end.
Everything you'd ever need to know about making hand coverings is covered in this book.
A KEEPER!
I received this review book from F+W Media via Net Galley and this is my honest review.

The cover picture was excellent & made me want to knit some gloves for the holidays! This book is about 140 some pages & is packed with lots of very useful information. I love how the author goes into detail to make sure your gloves/mittens fit the person you are making them for. This is huge for me, as I tend to have shorter fingers & the majority of patterns out there are too big for my hands. I am excited about being able to make some gloves that actually fit my hands!! I highly recommend this book if you are looking to make some gloves or mittens!

This is your one stop shop for mittens and gloves. It covers so many issues from start to finish and focuses on fit and details the whole way through. Kate is wonderfully clear (as always) in her text, photography and illustrations. I appreciate that the patterns have a nice variety from beginner to truly challenging, and I'm simply left deciding which one(s) to start with!! Fabulous stuff. I was given the opportunity to read this copy by NetGalley, but these are my honest opinions. #indigoemployee

I really liked reading this book to review for NetGalley and the publisher.

I am a member and f Ravelry and familiar with Kate’s work, owning two books already. Her pattern are fresh and inspired and easy to follow. This is a fabulous addition to any knit addict’s collection. Great pictures, plenty of projects.

Ravelry knitters will have found Kate Atherleys pattern but if you haven’t you are missing a treat. She uses good techniques that make a difference. I love her sock patterns.
I have at least 3 designs from this book bookmarked for Autumn knitting. Mitts are such a valued present to receive, they are ideal road trip, bus, train, knitting projects. Grab your knitting needles and this book.

Go and buy it!

Knit Mitts by Kate Atherley is a follow up and companion book to her Custom Socks book. It's to be released 26th October by F+W's Interweave imprint.

I think most knitters have felt the frustration of substituting yarn or fibre and winding up with a finished article that didn't fit or wear correctly. The problem is compounded by the fact that we're knitting essentially a 2 dimensional object (sock/mitten/etc) to fit on a very variable 3 dimensional body.

This book is very in-depth and clearly explains how to measure the recipient's hand correctly and compensate for variations (short (or maybe missing) fingers, oddly shaped or very petite hands, a thin or thick wrist etc) and wind up with a finished product that really fits and flatters the recipient.

There's an entire chapter on fit, and one on fibres and how to make appropriate and warm fabrics for mittens and gloves. There are follow up chapters on the nuts and bolts of construction and on basic patterns and variations. This is all before introducing the individual patterns.

I -really- love the fact that the measurement and size tables are so complete and detailed. I've seen some reviews saying it's 'very math intensive' and I would disagree somewhat. The tables are so detailed and complete and the instructions are so well written that it's just a matter of measuring and finding the row and column in the book. The mathematical gymnastics are all done for you.
For people who enjoy the number-crunching, there are good guidelines included so you can do your own pattern writing. I really enjoyed that freedom.

Roughly half the book's content is given to fit and construction. It's well supported and complete. The last half of the book is given over to the individual beautiful patterns. One thing I love about knitting is making cleverly constructed useful objects to warm my family and friends. The included patterns are lovely, functional, and very cleverly constructed with fitted wrist ribbing and patterning details.

I immediately sat down to cast on a pair of the lovely lace fingerless gloves called 'Forsyte' for my youngest daughter in a luscious aubergine sport weight alpaca. She's come in practically every hour since then to see if they're done yet. They're knitting up beautifully. There were no discernible mistakes in that pattern.

Lovely book, wonderfully detailed and well written. Gorgeous full color detailed photography which illustrates the gloves and mittens very well.

Five stars. Great value for experimenters and 'blind followers' alike.

Once again Interweave has proved that it’s the most professional company of all things handcraft. This book is amazingly presented,beautifully written and a must resource for anyone wishing to knit mitts or gloves