Joy

Fingerless mitts featuring a simple stranded colourwork pattern and a cute flag detail on the cuffs — we’ve shown three colour options, but there are lots of other pride flags you could easily sub in to customise them for your gift recipient. Design-wise these were a challenge. I really wanted to make something that explicitly featured the flags, and not just something that might be read as a cute rainbow. The thing is... everything I swatched was more cheesy and garish than cute. I eventually ended up here, with a small detail that combines a provisional cast on, intarsia, a folded hem, and double knitting within a few rounds. You’ll want to pay attention but the results are totally worth the effort. The colourwork echoes the striping of your chosen flag and increases are worked in a single column to shape the thumb. The mitts are completed with a ribbed cuff that’s long enough to fold up over cold fingers.

Someone on your gift list is sure to appreciate these. Receiving them might be a welcome acknowledgement of their own identity (do be sensitive about outing someone at a family gathering though!), or perhaps you know someone in a position like healthcare or teaching where wearing them will be a subtle way to signal that everyone is welcome.