Filled with a wide array of classic knitting patterns, this book is, in essence, the ultimate mitten book. The patterns are organized from simple to difficult and their origins range from traditional Scandinavian and Canadian Maritime patterns to more contemporary sewn and windblock patterns from right here in Maine. Rounding out the patterns is useful information on caring for and repairing woolens; tips for adding details such as buttons, straps, or leather palms to mittens; and a list of yarn suppliers.
Ultimate Mittens: 26 Classic Patterns to Keep You Warm
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Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Robin Hansen is a folklorist and mitten expert who has written articles on knitting for such publications as Interweave Knits, Knitter's Magazine, and Vogue Knitting.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
36 of 38 people found the following review helpful
By Jeanne H
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
When this book arrived, I was thrilled that it was in hard cover, because my copies of Robin's soft cover books were showing the wear. There are some new stitch patterns - I especially like the Pine Needles one, and look forward to trying the Windblock ones. The color photos of the mittens are excellent, but the B&W photos of techniques in the "Terms and Techniques" glossary are too small to really see the details, and those details are the reason to have the photos! The illustrations and charts are what I'd call a bit too roughly "computerized", by which I mean that the half-tones, if that is the correct term for the dots and hatched lines, on certain charts make it difficult to see how many squares, representing stitches, there are. Oddly, the info you'd want on yarn and needle size, gauge, and sizes comes after the mitten directions; it should really be at the start of a pattern. However, one item of info included which is nice, is an estimate of the time to knit a pair.
While I haven't yet read each page of the book, page 90 has the exact same verbiage on the Shetland Ladders Mittens as on pages 91 and 92. Hello?
I am a big fan of Robin Hansen, but if someone were to buy just one of her books, I'd have to recommend FAVORITE MITTENS, which is definitely a 5-star book, over ULTIMATE MITTENS. Better mitten directions layout, better charts, and bigger photos, even if mostly B&W.
While I haven't yet read each page of the book, page 90 has the exact same verbiage on the Shetland Ladders Mittens as on pages 91 and 92. Hello?
I am a big fan of Robin Hansen, but if someone were to buy just one of her books, I'd have to recommend FAVORITE MITTENS, which is definitely a 5-star book, over ULTIMATE MITTENS. Better mitten directions layout, better charts, and bigger photos, even if mostly B&W.
22 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
When I think of mittens, I remember them, plain and undecorated, strung through the sleeves of my snow jacket by a mother who hoped that at least one mitten would make it home from school. She knit them for me two pairs at a time, always the same color, hoping to end each week with at least one complete pair. How I managed to lose so many mittens, and where they actually went, is still a mystery. Perhaps it was because they were so unremarkable that I failed to exercise the proper care. Perhaps it was the single string connecting them that allowed them to disappear like snow flakes on the tongue. It was of little consequence to me. I knew that more mittens would be forthcoming.
Now I have a different take on mittens. I know they do not simply appear and disappear like elves in the forest - someone has to buy them or make them. And making them is what this book is all about.
Here's my take on Ultimate Mittens:
PROS:
1. First, I must note that although Amazon lists this book as "26 Classic Patterns to Keep You Warm," my book arrived from the publisher, pre-release, as "28 Classic Patterns to Keep You Warm." A little something extra for the reader.
2. Want to be certain your mittens will fit? Author Robin Hansen provides a complete section on exactly how to measure to be sure your mittens are the right fit for the recipient.
3. Stuffed mittens? Not being from Maine or another really cold climate, I did not realize that mittens could or would be stuffed. But not only can mitten be lined for extra warmth, the linings can be part of the exterior decoration. Talk about warm, with some of these designs I can imagine hands actually getting hot!
4. And here's something else I'd never considered - two fingered mittens. Now you can have the thumb and the index fingers free to use as required. I've never seen mittens like these, but this is a very good idea for the extra dexterity needed, for example, when driving.
5. Wet mittens - on purpose? Who knew? Not me, for certain, as I always dumped my wet mittens and shoved my icy hands in my pockets. Hansen, however, has convinced me that double-knit wet mittens can be warmer than dry mittens.
6. Hansen has packed this book with mittens from many cultures and climates. Fingerless mittens, Scottish mittens, German mittens, gloves, and more. Even bath mittens have found a place in her book.
CONS:
I found nothing to complain about in this book. The book itself is large and hard-bound making it easy to follow a pattern without weighting the pages of the book. Options for creating and decorating are endless, even including weaving (twining) mittens.
OVERALL:
This is the ultimate mitten book, lavishly illustrated. Even if you never make a pair, there's so much to learn and think about in this book that any knitter would be delighted to own it.
FIVE STARS!
Now I have a different take on mittens. I know they do not simply appear and disappear like elves in the forest - someone has to buy them or make them. And making them is what this book is all about.
Here's my take on Ultimate Mittens:
PROS:
1. First, I must note that although Amazon lists this book as "26 Classic Patterns to Keep You Warm," my book arrived from the publisher, pre-release, as "28 Classic Patterns to Keep You Warm." A little something extra for the reader.
2. Want to be certain your mittens will fit? Author Robin Hansen provides a complete section on exactly how to measure to be sure your mittens are the right fit for the recipient.
3. Stuffed mittens? Not being from Maine or another really cold climate, I did not realize that mittens could or would be stuffed. But not only can mitten be lined for extra warmth, the linings can be part of the exterior decoration. Talk about warm, with some of these designs I can imagine hands actually getting hot!
4. And here's something else I'd never considered - two fingered mittens. Now you can have the thumb and the index fingers free to use as required. I've never seen mittens like these, but this is a very good idea for the extra dexterity needed, for example, when driving.
5. Wet mittens - on purpose? Who knew? Not me, for certain, as I always dumped my wet mittens and shoved my icy hands in my pockets. Hansen, however, has convinced me that double-knit wet mittens can be warmer than dry mittens.
6. Hansen has packed this book with mittens from many cultures and climates. Fingerless mittens, Scottish mittens, German mittens, gloves, and more. Even bath mittens have found a place in her book.
CONS:
I found nothing to complain about in this book. The book itself is large and hard-bound making it easy to follow a pattern without weighting the pages of the book. Options for creating and decorating are endless, even including weaving (twining) mittens.
OVERALL:
This is the ultimate mitten book, lavishly illustrated. Even if you never make a pair, there's so much to learn and think about in this book that any knitter would be delighted to own it.
FIVE STARS!
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
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.
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.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
many travel projects
I liked this book because there were many project possibilities. The directions are clear and the pictures are great. Lots of color ideas and traditional ways of knitting. Read more
Published 2 months ago by V. Muenich
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful!
A great book - wonderful illustrations, interesting history of the culture surrounding each mitten pattern, clear instructions and charts. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mary Wallace
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely love this book!
Produces such high quality mittens with the history intact, it is so nice to create a new heirloom with a story to go along with it. I couldn't be happier!! My new favorite.
Published 2 months ago by Kristin Dennison
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another Winning Collection From Mitten Expert Robin Hansen
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... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Lynne E.
4.0 out of 5 stars
I love mitten patterns.
I really liked the patterns and the background information that was provided. This mitten book was very interesting and informative.
Published 3 months ago by E. L. Miller
4.0 out of 5 stars
Ulitmate Mittens
Not only are there many kinds of mittens to knit, there is also interesting and informative narrative along with the directions. Read more
Published 3 months ago by J. Zeyl
5.0 out of 5 stars
everyone likes mittens
This book is hardcover, Patterns written clearly, and they are actually Warm!
I would highly recommend this this one for anyone who loves color work.
I would highly recommend this this one for anyone who loves color work.
Published 4 months ago by SOCKFOX
5.0 out of 5 stars
share your gift and watch the knowledge bloom
great selection of patterns--styles-with nice yarn variaction-bought as a gift from a hopeful recpiant of the knowledge that was gained,
Published 4 months ago by mac T
4.0 out of 5 stars
almost a solid 5 but a 4 for unclear directions at times.
I found some of the directions confusing at times and I have knitted more mittens than i can remember. Read more
Published 7 months ago by quartje
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Ultimate Mitten book for real!
I love, love, love this book! I also have Hansen's other mitten books and they are great too! This book has all new mittens with beautiful full color pictures. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Anke
