Prograde Orbit Mitts

>This pattern includes a second PDF version that is formatted for knitters with low vision. It has black text, size 22 or larger text in a sans serif font, no italics, no columns, and fully-written directions. The chart is still included but is not needed to work the pattern. Many thanks to Gemma Thompson (gemmabelle here on Rav) and the Accessible Patterns group for their guidance in formatting patterns in a more accessible way. This is the first in a series of six mitt patterns inspired by a conversation with my friend, Arianna Frasca. Arianna loves the moon, and we both have perpetually cold hands. I decided, then, to use the moon as inspiration for each set of mitts. Earth’s moon has a prograde orbit. In other words, it orbits in the same direction that the sun spins. The twisty criss-crossing cables on these mitts remind me of the charts showing all the overlapping orbits of Jupiter’s many moons. The charts look almost like they were drawn with a spirograph and are mesmerizing, to put it mildly. These mitts are a great project for using up leftover scraps. If the yarn looks familiar, that’s because it is! I used most of this skein of yarn to knit my [Lemon Scone at Home Cowl][1] back in 2020, but I had just enough left to make these mitts, too. **SIZES** S, M, L, XL Finished mitt circumference 6.5, (7, 7.5, 8) inches /16.5 (18, 19, 20.5) cm **MATERIALS** Fingering weight yarn, 150 (170, 190, 210) yds / 138 (156, 174, 192) m Sample shown in Earl Grey Fiber Co. Rooibos Singles, 70% merino wool, 30% silk, single-ply, 438 yds (401 m) per 3.53 oz (100 g) **GAUGE** 4” (10 cm) square = 32 stitches x 40 rows in stockinette **NEEDLES** One set of needles for your preferred style of small-circumference knitting in a size to match gauge listed above Suggested needle size: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) **TOOLS** Three stitch markers Two pieces of waste yarn for holding thumb stitches Tapestry needle for weaving in ends **SKILL LEVEL** Intermediate Techniques: knitting in the round, increases, cables [1]: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lemon-scone-at-home-cowl