Sunflower Mittens

Sunflower Mittens are my contribution to Maine Knits the beautiful new book by Beatrice Perron Dahlen.
I hope they’ll be your first knit of the coming new year, evoking sunny thoughts of summer during the darkest coldest months.

Beatrice has a nice little interview with me up on her blog today. In it I mention my Norwegian Great-Grandmother’s embroidery as an element in the design of Sunflower Mittens. The small motif on the left, is one out of 12 border motifs which are all different. In my imagination turned on end it looks like a Sunflower!

What about those trumpet playing horsemen…or are they smoking pipes?

The palm of Sunflower Mittens features a fishnet. Fishing is another reminder of a Maine summer, jigging for mackerel off the dock. But it could also be a trellis for growing beans or sweet peas.

Maine Knits is a beautiful book which includes designs by Maine based designers Carrie Bostick Hoge, Bristol Ivy, Cecily Glowik MacDonald, Alicia Plummer, Leila Raabe, Elizabeth Smith, Kristen TenDyke and Leah B. Thibault, as well as Beatrice and me.

Clockwise from above left: Machiasport Cardigan by Beatrice, Laurentide Pullover by Cecily, Broadturn Hap by Beatrice,
Astrantia Cowl by Beatrice, Peat Moss Hat, Leila, Beatrice Pullover, Old Orchard Cardigan by Kristen

Watch Beatrice’s instagram (@threadandladle) feed as she continues to tease us with more designs from the book!
Pre-order Maine Knits here: http://www.threadandladle.com/shop/maine-knits-preorder
100 pages, soft cover 8.5″ by 8.5″ in color and black and white.

MAINE knits includes 16 knitting patterns plus essays from MAINE folk. Designs inspired by the Sea, Farm and Wild will keep your hands busy and warm your soul. These are the things that bring us peace, nourish us, help us breathe deeply and remind us to live a beautiful handmade life.

Sunflower Mitts deets:
Yarn:my favorite Starcroft Nash Island Light
Yarn weight: Worsted (9 wpi) ?
Gauge: 22 stitches and 22 rows = 4 inches in colorwork pattern
Needle size:US 7 - 4.5 mm
Yardage: 180 yards (165 m)
Sizes available: 8.5” / 21.5 cm hand circumference and 9.5” / 24 cm long
More info on Ravelry