Say hello to Ealhswith! These mittens feature a fun Celtic motif that is much easier to knit than it looks—it’s nothing more than left and right twists. And best of all, it’s 25% off on Ravelry for a limited time! Click the link for details. The pattern should be up on Lovecrafts in a week or so; keep an eye skinned for updates.
You’ll need approximately 140-160 yards of yarn to make these (though you might want to have another 170 yards or so on hand—more on that in a minute!). I used 150 yards to make this pair. Harrisville Designs provided me with a skein of Peace Fleece DK, a delightfully soft yet rustic blend of wool and mohair that blooms beautifully when washed. Check back in the next few weeks for a full review, because this yarn deserves it!
Ealhswith of Mercia was the wife and queen of Alfred the Great, who ruled during turbulent times to say the least. Vikings! Vikings! and more Vikings! In fact, they spent the early years of Alfred’s reign on the run from Norse invaders, camping out in the woods and in swamps, sometimes apart while Alfred waged a guerilla war. (She would have needed mittens, don’t you agree?). I highly recommend Benjamin Merkle’s biography of Alfred, The White Horse King, for more detail.
And what’s that? Yes, there’s a matching hat! The whole set is designed to use up one full skein of Peace Fleece DK. The hat pattern (and more photos) will be released next week. Stay tuned!
Update: The Ealhswith Mittens and Hat patterns are now available on LoveCrafts.
