Ultimate Mittens: 28 Classic Patterns to Keep You Warm

Ultimate Mittens: 26 Classic Knitting Patterns to Keep You Warm by Robin Hansen is a treasure trove for the mitten knitter. It actually has 28 mitten patterns, all interesting and clearly written. The photographs, too, are clear and make it easy to see what the finished product will look like. In her introduction, Ms. Hansen stats that "mittens are hardly more than a swatch with a thumb. Their small format makes them ideal canvases for learning new techniques, playing with colors, or using fun techniques considered too laborious for larger garments.' The book contains patterns both for mittens and gloves starting at the very beginning level and advancing on from there. She states that she 'found almost all of these mittens in New England or Atlantic Canada.' Some of the mitten patterns come from people's attics and others come from as far away as the Shetlands. 'I have here the simplest and some of the most complex mittens - something for anyone who needs mittens and is willing to spend a little time and thought to create them.' There is a short section of proportions for mittens with the premise being that mittens are shaped like hands. There is also a chart that shows how to tell how difficult each particular pattern is. The Patterns: Thumbies, Plain or Striped is the basic, vanilla style mitten with variegations added if wanted. The instructions for knitting and sizing are clear and easy to understand. Lithuanian Ribby Knit Mittens are really neat. They are cast on with a technique that produces two stitches at a time. The author states, as to difficulty, that these mittens are interesting, but not difficult. Stuffed to Poppin mittens are what I call Thrummed Mittens. 'They're knitted, but there are thin strands of yarn on the inside.' Kennebunk Woolly Bear Mittens are just the thing for a cold, snowy day.. The pattern most likely comes from Maine in the 1800's. Hansen writes 'I had never seen such mittens, thick but finely knit, flexible and warm.' The cuff is a shag, and gives the mittens a unique look. Many of the patterns call for two-color knitting and there is a section on how to knit with more than one color. It is interesting and discusses the benefits of double layers for warmth. The Candlelit Windows Mitten has a nice pattern to it. It derives from Nova Scotia. The pattern looks like blocks and x's intertwined. Other patterns I really like are the Shetland Ladders Mittens in two colors, the Eyunsstovu Slants Finger Mitts in two colors, Striped Mittens, Hadelands Mittens (A Hidden Rib), Norwegian Purl-Side-Out Twined Knitted Mittens, and Boston Street Vendor's Afghan Gloves (Knit from the fingertips down). There are many technical sections and sections on the ethnic history of the mittens. The end of the book includes a section of Occupational Reinforcements, a section on Repairing and Caring for Your MIttens and Gloves and a very nice illustrated section on Terms and Techniques. Overall, this book is a mitten knitter's dream. It has lovely patterns, great instructions and enough information to whet your appetite and appreciate the ethnic background of what you'll be knitting. It is a great addition to the knitter's library.

Designer Robin Hansen is already the author of two famous, classic collections of mitten patterns: Fox and Geese and Fences: A Collection of Traditional Maine Mittens , and Flying Geese and Partridge Feet: More Mittens from Up North and Down East (which were later combined, in revised and updated format, into Favorite Mittens ). In ULTIMATE MITTENS, Hansen presents another wonderful collection of new mitten patterns in a big, coffee-table-sized book with beautiful photos, schematic drawings, and charts. The mitten patterns are grouped by type: (1) Bumpy textured ("Lithuanian Ribby Knit"); (2) Stuffed with fleece for warmth ("Hearty Alternative"; "Secret Fleece"; "Uncle Chubbs"; "Windblock"; "Kennebunk Woolly Bear"); (3) Two-Color stranded knitting ("Candlelit Windows"; "Pine Needles"; "Crow's Feet With Gumption"); (4) Newfoundland patterns ("Shetland Ladders"; "Eyunsstovu Slants"); (5) Pulled-Up knitting that adds texture to stranded knitting ("Newfoundland Rickrack Stripes"; "Hadelands"); (6) Twined knitting that twists the stranded knitting yarns ("Maine Fisherman's Double-Knit Wet"; "Norwegian Purl-Side-Out"; "Stripes and Zigzags Twined Wristers"); (7) Other viewpoints in hand coverings ("Inuit and Aroostook Sewn"; "Polish Basketmaker's"; "Boston Street Vendor's Afghan Gloves"; "Gershwin Fingerless Gloves"); and (8) Other purpose ("Scrubby Bath Mitts"). The book includes diagrams for reinforcing mittens and gloves with leather palms, thumbs, and fingers as appropriate for driving, skiing, and riding. It also has a chapter on repairing and caring for mittens and gloves. Finally, it has a terrific illustrated glossary of knitting terms and techniques used in the book (for example, step-by-step photos of the "twisted long-tail cast on"; drawings of the "spit splice"; and charts for the "universal thumb gore for 2-colored knitting"). This book would make a great gift for any knitter who doesn't already own it! Mittens are quick-knit projects, and are not difficult to knit, but are interesting because of the shaping needed for cuff, thumb gussets, and finishing the top of the hand. They also allow wide latitude for adding fun decorative patterns (as this book illustrates).

It’s Hardcover, much better quality than her previous books. The book has a couple of beginner basic patterns, and the patterns are all rated for difficulty (one mitten for beginner, two mittens, up to 3 and 4 for a lot of work pattern!) The book has no index, only a table of contents. There is a section of techniques & terms but the pictures are too small to be useful. I thought that the drawings in “Flying Geese..” were much better. Patterns can be a bit difficult to follow, as in her other books there’s some page turning. Many of the patterns are duplicates from her other books. I’ve been working on the Candle lit Windows mitten pattern, and had a little difficulty with the thumb gusset Placement… ripping it out several times. Finally got it… its gorgeous ! Well worth the trouble. But it wasn’t easy, peasy… I will make more of these. I’m happy with my purchase.

Good book of classic mittens in a mix of sizes and styles. Author gives interesting comments on mitten traditions. I bought it used and am happy to have it in my colletion

fabulous details, wonderful patterns, the author's obsession w/ mittens shines off of every page. And I share that obsession... although I am just getting started on my own mitten journey. I'm on my third pair now, with the goal of making each of these lovely and unique mittens eventually. They are the perfect projects to hone your skills - small, portable, easy to personalize thru your yarn choices. Plus, the knitter can decide just how involved they want to get - a super easy thumbie mitten, or a more difficult Woolly Bear to work on when one is snowed in for a couple of days! I love this book, start to finish.

Now this is a mitten book!!! This book contains tested patterns from all over New England and the Canadian Maritime Provinces where fishing in cold weather is a way of life. You get both their pattern and the story of how they came to be. I'm particularly interested in the "stuffed" mittens--those with bits of roving or fleece caught behind the stitches to add warmth. There are mittens with carried color in the Nordic tradition, and a pair of fingerless as well as regular gloves, but though many are lovely items, these are patterns for working and warmth more than fashion. There are no heavily cabled mittens or opera gloves in this volume. However, if functionality is your goal, you'll be very happy with this excellent book.

Loved the patterns and variety of techniques. Another wonderful book from this author.

I was inspired to learn to knit by Robin Hansen's first two mitten books -- was it thirty years ago???? -- and really did't think she surpass what she'd done with those two books. But this book is a worthy extension of her work -- she goes beyond New England and the Maritimes to highlight mitten traditions and patterns in many, many other cultures. There really is very little content that is repetitive from the other books -- any techniques she's already written about have been rewritten and elaborated on, as far as I can tell. If you love mittens or knitting history, this really is a vital addition to your library. (No affiliation, yadda, yadda, yadda....)

Loved the variety of mittens

In my search for the warmest mittens known to man, I bought the Kindle version of this to read on my iPad. It's got a lovely variety of patterns with some interesting mitten information as well. I think my search ends here!

I thought I had more than enough mitten books, but clearly I did not! This book introduced me to a plethora of mittens I had no idea existed, and filled me with an urgent need to get some on them on the needles as soon as possible. I thoroughly enjoyed the regional history and world-wide comparisons that were included with each type of mitt. This book explains everything in the clearest, friendliest way, from fulling to shagging to correct I-cord application, from the basic beginners mitts to mitts that aren't even knit but also deserve serious consideration. The instructions are charted, not written out line by line, but the photos and charts for each mitten are large and clear and there is a detailed explanation for any special construction. Most have size charts from childrens to adult XL.

Excellent book. A treasure of information. Love it!

Just the right combination of research into tradition, adaptation, and originality -- great book, lovely illustrations. Haven't tried them out yet but am itching to ...