INTRODUCTION

Middle Passage

by Lori Patterson

"Is it not enough that we are torn from our country and friends, to toil for your luxury and lust of gain? Must every tender feeling be likewise sacrificed to your avarice?"
-The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano by Olaudah Equiano

This pattern is dedicated to the memory of millions of kidnapped Africans forced onto ships (many of whom died) whose forced labor created the wealth of the US. We celebrate the survival of their brutal torture. It is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and a way for me as a black woman to honor and connect with my ancestors.

The mittens feature two charts: Chart A is an interpretation of an artist's rendering, likely from the 1700s – shown above in black in white – of how enslaved people were packed into a ship.

Chart B is a visual representation of the individual connecting to the whole with motifs of connection and water.

If these survivors were asked today how we should remember them, this is what I imagine they would say: Let our story be the beginning of a journey through discovery of an imposed history of the US and a path to your own freedom from forces that still try to keep us down. This project is more than just a knitting pattern. It is a reminder to all of us to examine our place in history and to make strides for a better future.

model: Lori Patterson

photos: Lew Scholl

SIZE

Adult Small[Medium, Large]

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Circumference:  8.25[9, 10] inches/21[23, 25.5] cm
Length:  9.5[9.75, 9.75] inches/ 24[25, 25] cm
Choose a size about 1 inch/2.5 cm larger around than your actual palm measurement.

MATERIALS

Yarn
Abstract Fiber Silky Sock [70/20/10 Merino/silk/cashmere; 437 yards/300m per 3.5 oz/100 g skein]
[MC] Dark Chocolate; 1 skein
[CC] Hearthkeeper; 1 skein

Yarn Characteristics
The sample shown uses a fingering-weight yarn. Any fingering/sock weight yarn will work. Choose colors that have high contrast with one another to make the colorwork pop.

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
US #1/2.25 mm needles for working small circumferences in the round

Notions
scrap yarn to hold thumb stitches
stitch marker
yarn needle

GAUGE

32 sts/42 rounds = 4 inches/10 cm in stockinette stitch

PATTERN NOTES

[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]

Construction method: These mittens are knit bottom up, from cuff to the top of the mitten with a gusseted thumb. The thumb gusset is placed on hold while the tops of the mittens are completed and then grafted together. The thumb is added last.

Colorwork: This pattern includes charts with stranded knitting. If you have to strand yarn across 5 or more stitches, twist the non-working yarn in the back of the work with the working yarn.

Charts: Chart A is an interpretation of the artist's rendering shown below (likely from the 1700s) documenting how enslaved people were packed into a ship.

Chart B is a visual representation of the individual connecting to the whole.

Techniques:

• stranded colorwork (Fair Isle): text and photos | video
  grafting: text and photos | video

CHARTS

View and download CHARTs here: small | medium | large

DIRECTIONS

Cuff
WIth MC, CO 48[56, 64] stitches and join for working in the round. PM to indicate beginning of the round.
Ribbing round: (K2, P2) around. Work ribbing for 2 inches/5 cm.

Body of Mitten
Setup round 1: Knit.
Setup round 2 - increase round: Increase stitches evenly to 66[74, 82] sts as follows:

• Increase small: K2, (M1, k3) 5 times, (M1, k2) 7 times, (M1, k3) 5 times, M1, k2
• Increase medium: K2, (M1, k3) 8 times, M1, k4, (M1, k3) 8 times, M1, k2
• Increase large: K2, (M1, k3) 4 times, (M1, k4) 9 times, (M1, k3) 4 times, M1, k2

Setup round 3: Knit.

Begin colorwork charts:
Round 1, first mitten: Join CC and begin charts for appropriate size, working from the chart B on the first half of your stitches, then the chart A on the second half.

Round 1, second mitten: Join CC and begin charts for appropriate size, working from the chart A on the first half of your stitches, then the chart B on the second half.

Important note: In the instructions below, “first chart” refers to the one you’re working for the first half of the round; “second chart” refers to the one you’re working for the second half of the round.

Work 4[6,  8] rounds as set.

Establish thumb gusset:
Work next row of first chart as set, PM, M1 with CC, PM, work next row of second chart as set. 1 st increased.

Gusset round 1: Work first chart as set to marker, k to next marker, alternating colors every stitch (the stitch below should always be the opposite color of the color used), work second chart as set to end of round.

Gusset round 2: Work first chart as set to marker, sm, m1, k to next marker, alternating colors every stitch (the stitch below should always be the opposite color of the color used), m1, sm, work second chart as set to end of round. 2 sts increased.
Repeat Gusset rounds 1-2  9[11,  12] more times, then work Gusset round 1 once more.  21[25,  27] sts between markers.

Next round, separate thumb sts: Work first chart as set to marker, remove marker, slip  21[25,  27] thumb sts onto scrap yarn, remove marker, work second chart as set to end of round.

Close up gap:
Next round: Work first chart followed by second chart, pulling tight over gusset position to close up the gap.

Continue working as set until all rows of the charts are completed. Cut yarn leaving a long tail and graft stitches to close the mitten top.

Thumb
Return held thumb sts onto the needles, picking up three extra stitches to close the gap between the thumb and the hand. 24[28, 30] sts. Adjust the stitches and join for working in the round.
Starting each round with the alternate color from the first stitch of the previous round, work in stockinette stitch while alternating colors every st for 2 inches/5 cm (or as long as desired).

Closing round 1: Using MC, k2tog to end. 12[14, 15] sts remain.
Closing round 2: Using MC, k2tog 6[7, 7] times, k 0[0, 1] . 6[7, 8] sts remain.
Cut yarn leaving tail for weaving in ends then draw the yarn through remaining stitches closing hole tightly with a yarn needle, and pull yarn inside of the thumb.

FINISHING

Handwash and lay flat to dry.
Turn mittens inside out and weave in all loose ends with tapestry needle, closing any gaps between the thumb and body of the mitten.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

In 1990. a wise woman taught Lori to knit as a clandestine feminist act. Since then, she has worked at a couple of yarn stores, taught women’s studies, drove a city bus for a few years, learned to spin her own yarn, started an indie-dyed fiber business and raised a child. She brings her love of Black history and joy, culture and teaching to everything she does.

Find her on Instagram or her website.

Pattern & images © 2025 Lori Patterson