DROPS Lima
DROPS Lima
65% Wool, 35% Alpaca
from 2.40 £ /50g
Get the yarn to make this pattern from 16.80£.

The yarn cost is calculated from the pattern’s smallest size and the yarn’s cheapest product type. Looking for an even better price? You might find it on the DROPS Deals!

DROPS Christmas Calendar
Highlight Size:
DROPS 253-38

#winterzebramittens

DROPS Design: Pattern li-182
Yarn group B
-------------------------------------------------------

SIZES:
S/M – M/L – L/XL
Complete length after felting: approx. 24½-26-27½ cm
Complete length before felting: approx. 32-34-36 cm
Length after thumb after felting: approx. 12½-12½-13 cm
Length after thumb before felting: approx. 16-16-17 cm

YARN:
DROPS LIMA from Garnstudio (belongs to yarn group B)
50-50-50 g colour 0100, off white
50-50-50 g colour 0206, wheat
50-50-50 g colour 0619, beige
50-50-50 g colour 9024, almond
50-50-50 g colour 9026, chestnut
50-50-50 g colour 9029, sage green
50-50-50 g colour 9031, pistachio ice cream

NEEDLES:
DROPS DOUBLE POINTED NEEDLES SIZE 4.5 MM.

KNITTING TENSION:
20 stitches in width and 26 rows in height, with stocking stitch on needle size 4.5 mm = 10 x 10 cm.
NOTE: Needle size is only a guide. If you get too many stitches on 10 cm, change to a larger needle size. If you get too few stitches on 10 cm, change to a smaller needle size.

-------------------------------------------------------

Alternative Yarn – See how to change yarns here
Yarn Groups A to F – Use the same pattern and change the yarn here
Yarn usage using an alternative yarn – Use our yarn converter here

-------------------------------------------------------

You might also like...

DROPS Lima
DROPS Lima
65% Wool, 35% Alpaca
from 2.40 £ /50g
Get the yarn to make this pattern from 16.80£.

The yarn cost is calculated from the pattern’s smallest size and the yarn’s cheapest product type. Looking for an even better price? You might find it on the DROPS Deals!

Pattern instructions

NOTE: This pattern is written in British English. All measurements in charts are in cm. Convert from cm to inches here. There are different terms for crocheting in British and American English. If this pattern includes crochet, convert "crochet terms" here. See this pattern in American English here..
-------------------------------------------------------

EXPLANATIONS FOR THE PATTERN:

-------------------------------------------------------

STRIPES:
The whole mitten is worked in stripes, with 4 rounds of each colour in the following order:
Sage green
Chestnut
Wheat
Almond
Beige
Pistachio ice cream
Sage green
Almond
Off white
Chestnut
Wheat
Sage green
Beige
Off white
Pistachio ice cream
Sage green
Chestnut
Wheat
Almond
Pistachio ice cream
Sage green
Almond
Off white
Chestnut
Wheat

KNITTING TIP – changing colours without a «jump»:
To get a nice transition at the beginning and end of the rounds when changing colours, work as follows:
Change to the new colour and work 1 round. Then work the first stitch on the next round as follows: Pick up the back loop of the stitch below the first stitch on the left needle, place it on the left needle. Knit it together with the next stitch. The transition will then be less visible.

INCREASE TIP (for thumb-gusset):
Increase by making 1 yarn over, which is knitted twisted on the next round.

DECREASE TIP:
Start 3 stitches before the marker-stitch, knit 2 together, knit 3 (marker-stitch is middle stitch), slip 1 stitch knit-wise, knit 1 and pass the slipped stitch over the knitted stitch (2 stitches decreased).

-------------------------------------------------------

START THE PIECE HERE

-------------------------------------------------------

MITTENS – SHORT OVERVIEW OF THE PIECE:
The piece is worked in the round, from the cuff upwards.
If there is a «0» in your chosen size, skip the information and go straight to the next instruction.

LEFT MITTEN:
Cast on 54-54-60 stitches with double pointed needles size 4.5 mm and colour sage green DROPS Lima. Insert 1 marker-thread at the beginning of the round.
Read STRIPES and KNITTING TIP above. Work rib in the round (knit 3 twisted, purl 3) for 2 cm. Continue the rib AT THE SAME TIME as decreasing as follows: * Knit 1 twisted, knit 2 twisted together, purl 3 *, work from *-* to end of round = 45-45-50 stitches. Work the new rib (knit 2 twisted, purl 3) until the piece measures 7-8-8 cm.
Insert 1 marker in the last stitch on the round. Knit 1 round and increase 1-3-0 stitches evenly on the round = 46-48-50 stitches. Continue with stocking stitch, AT THE SAME TIME increase 1 stitch on each side of the marker-stitch – read INCREASE TIP. Increase like this every 3rd round, always on the outside of the previously increased stitches, a total of 6-7-8 times = 58-62-66 stitches. Remember the knitting tension.
Work until the piece measures 16-18-19 cm, the increases for the thumb-gusset should be finished – with the last round a fourth round in a stripe. Place the marker-stitch + the 12-14-16 increased stitches + 1 stitch on each side of these on a thread = 15-17-19 thumb-stitches. Continue in the round, casting on 3 stitches behind the thumb-stitches = 46-48-50 stitches.
Work until the piece measures 11-11-12 cm from the cast-on stitches. The piece measures approx. 27-29-31 cm from the cast-on edge.
Now start to decrease as follows: Insert 1 marker in the first stitch and 1 marker in the 23rd-24th-25th stitch on the round. Continuing the stripes, decrease 1 stitch on each side of both markers on the first round – read DECREASE TIP (= 4 decreased stitches). Decrease like this every 2nd round a total of 4-3-3 times, then every round 5-7-7 times = 10-8-10 stitches left. To avoid changing colours towards the tip of the mitten, do not change colours on the last 7 rounds.
Cut the strand, pull it through the remaining stitches, tighten and fasten well. The mitten measures approx. 32-34-36 cm.

THUMB:
Continue the stripes from the mitten and work stocking stitch in the round. Place the 15-17-19 thumb-stitches on double pointed needles size 4.5 mm and knit up 3 stitches in the cast-on stitches behind the thumb = 18-20-22 stitches. Work for 6-6½-7 cm. Now decrease 3 stitches evenly spaced = 15-17-19 stitches. Work 2 rounds without decreasing. On the next round decrease 5-7-7 stitches evenly spaced = 10-10-12 stitches. Work until the thumb measures 7½-8-8½ cm. To avoid changing colours towards the tip of the thumb, do not change colours on the last 7 rounds. On the next round knit all stitches together 2 and 2 = 5-5-6 stitches. Cut the strand, pull it through the remaining stitches, tighten and fasten well.

RIGHT MITTEN:
Cast on 54-54-60 stitches with double pointed needles size 4.5 mm and colour sage green DROPS Lima. Insert 1 marker-thread at the beginning of the round.
Work rib and stripes in the same way as on the left mitten until the piece measures 7-8-8 cm.
Insert 1 marker in the first stitch on the round. Knit 1 round and increase 1-3-0 stitches evenly on the round = 46-48-50 stitches.
Finish in the same way as the left mitten.

FELTING:
To avoid the thumb being felted to the mitten, turn it inside out and fasten a small plastic bag over the thumb with a safety pin. NOTE: Fasten the pin vertically towards the tip of the thumb so it is easy to remove after felting. Turn the mittens back to the right side.
Place the mittens in the washing machine, using a detergent without enzymes or optical bleaches and together with a terry towel of approx. 50 x 70 cm. Wash at 40 degrees with normal centrifuge and without pre-wash – NOTE: Do not use a short programme. After washing, shape the mittens while still wet.

AFTER FELTING:
If the mittens are not felted enough and are too big, you can wash them one more time in the washing machine while still wet.
If the mittens have been felted too much and are too small, stretch them to the correct measurements while still wet.
If the mittens are already dry, re-wet them before stretching to the correct measurements.
Remember – all subsequent washes are as a normal wool garment.

Each of our patterns has specific tutorial videos to help you.

Do you have a question? See a list of frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Knitting tension is what determines the final measurements of your work, and is usually measured per 10 x 10 cm. It is provided like so: number of stitches in width x number of rows in height - eg: 19 stitches x 26 rows = 10 x 10 cm.

The knitting tension is very individual; some people knit/crochet loosely while others work tightly. You adjust the knitting tension with the needle size, which is why the suggested needle size is only meant as a guide! You need to adjust this (up or down) to ensure that YOUR knitting tension matches the knitting tension provided in the pattern. If you work with a different knitting tension than provided you will have a different yarn consumption, and your work will have different measurements than what the pattern suggests.

The knitting tension also determines which yarns can replace each other. As long as you achieve the same knitting tension you can replace one yarn with another.

See DROPS lesson: How to measure your tension/gauge

See DROPS video: How to make a gauge tension swatch

The required amount of yarn is provided in grams, eg: 450 g. To calculate how many balls you’ll need you first need to know how many grams are in 1 ball (25g, 50g or 100g). This information is available if you click on the individual yarn quality on our pages. Divide the amount required with the amount of each ball. For example, if each ball is 50g (the most common amount), the calculation will be as follows: 450 / 50 = 9 balls.

The important thing when changing from one yarn to another is that the knitting/crochet tension remains the same. This is so that the measurements of the finished piece will be the same as on the sketch provided. It is easier to achieve the same knitting tension using yarns from the same yarn group. It is also possible to work with multiple strands of a thinner yarn to achieve the knitting tension of a thicker one. Please try our yarn converter. We recommend you to always work a test swatch.

Please NOTE: when changing yarn the garment might have a different look and feel to the garment in the photo, due to individual properties and qualities of each yarn.

See DROPS lesson: Can I use a different yarn than the one mentioned in the pattern?

All our yarns are categorised into yarn groups (from A to F) according to thickness and knitting tension – group A contains the thinnest yarns and group F the thickest. This makes it easier for you to find alternative yarns to our patterns, should you wish to switch yarn. All yarns within the same group have a similar knitting tension and can easily replace each other. However, different yarn qualities have different structures and properties which will give the finished work a unique look and feel.

Click here for an overview of the yarns in each yarn group

At the top of all our patterns you’ll find a link to our yarn calculator, which is a helpful tool should you wish to use a different yarn than suggested. By filling in the yarn quality you wish to replace, the amount (in your size) and number of strands, the calculator will present good alternative yarns with the same knitting tension. Additionally it will tell you how much you’ll require in the new qualities and whether you’ll need to work with multiple strands. Most skeins are 50g (some are 25g or 100g).

If the pattern is worked with multiple colours, every colour will have to be calculated separately. Similarly, if the pattern is worked with several strands of different yarns (for example 1 strand Alpaca and 1 strand Kid-Silk) you will have to find alternatives for each, individually.

Click here to see our yarn calculator

Since different yarns have different qualities and textures we have chosen to keep the original yarn in our patterns. However, you can easily find options among our available qualities by using our yarn calculator, or simply pick a yarn from the same yarn group.

It is possible that some retailers still have discontinued yarns in stock, or that someone has a few skeins at home that they would like to find patterns for.

The yarn calculator will provide both alternative yarn as well as required amount in the new quality.

If you think it's hard to decide what size to make, it can be a good idea to measure a garment you own already and like the size of. Then you can pick the size by comparing those measures with the ones available in the pattern's size chart.

You'll find the size chart at the bottom of the pattern.

See DROPS lesson: How to read size chart

The needle size provided in the pattern serves only as a guide, the important thing is to follow the knitting tension. And since knitting tension is very individual, you will have to adjust the needle size to ensure that YOUR tension is the same as in the pattern – maybe you’ll have to adjust 1, or even 2 needle sizes, up or down to achieve the correct tension. For this, we recommend that you work test swatches.

Should you work with a different knitting tension than the one provided, the measurements of the finished garment might deviate from the measurement sketch.

See DROPS lesson: How to measure your tension/gauge

See DROPS video: How to make a tension/gauge swatch

Working a garment top-down provides more flexibility and room for personal adjustment. For example it is easier to try the garment on while working, as well as making adjustments to length of yoke and shoulder caps.

The instructions are carefully explaining every step, in the correct order. Diagrams are adjusted to the knitting direction and are worked as usual.

The diagram depicts all rows/rounds, and every stitch seen from the right side. It is read from bottom to top, from right to left. 1 square = 1 stitch.

When working back and forth, every other row is worked from the right side and every other row is worked from the wrong side. When working from the wrong side, the diagram will have to be worked reversed: from left to right, knit stitches are purled, purl stitches are knit etc.

When working in the round every round is worked from the right side and the diagram are worked from right to left on all rounds.

See DROPS lesson: How to read knitting diagrams

The diagram depicts all rows/rounds, and every stitch seen from the right side. It is worked from bottom to top, from right to left.

When working back and forth every other row is worked from the right side: from right to left and every other row is worked from the wrong side: from left to right.

When working in the round, every row in the diagram are worked from the right side, from right to left.

When working a circular diagram you start in the middle and work your way outwards, counter clockwise, row by row.

The rows usually start with a given number of chain stitches (equivalent to the height of the following stitch), this will either be depicted in the diagram or explained in the pattern.

See DROPS lesson: How to read crochet diagrams

Instructions for working several diagrams after each other on the same row/round, will often be written like so: “work A.1, A.2, A.3 a total of 0-0-2-3-4 times". This means you work A.1 once, then A.2 is worked once, and A.3 is repeated (in width) the number of times provided for your size – in this case like so: S = 0 times, M = 0 times, L=2 times, XL= 3 times and XXL = 4 times.

The diagrams are worked as usual: begin with the first row in A.1, then work the first row in A.2 etc.

See DROPS lesson: How to read knitting diagrams

See DROPS lesson: How to read crochet diagrams

The total width of the garment (from wrist-to-wrist) will be larger in the larger sizes, despite the actual sleeves being shorter. The larger sizes have longer sleeve caps and wider shoulders, so there will be a good fit in all sizes.

The measurement sketch/schematic drawing provides information regarding the full length of the garment. If it’s a jumper or a jacket the length is measured from the highest point on the shoulder closest to the neckline, and straight down to the bottom of the garment. It is NOT measured from the tip of shoulder. Similarly, the length of yoke is measured from the highest point on the shoulder and down to where yoke is split into body and sleeves.

On a jacket measures are never taken along bands, unless specifically stated. Always measure inside band stitches when measuring the length.

See DROPS lesson: How to read a schematic drawing

Diagrams are often repeated on the round or in height. 1 repeat is the diagram the way it appears in the pattern. If it says to work 5 repeats of A.1 in the round, then you work A.1 a total of 5 times after/next to each other in the round. If it says to work 2 repeats of A.1 vertically/in height you work the entire diagram once, then begin again at the start and work the entire diagram one more time.

Chain stitches are slightly narrower than other stitches and to avoid working the cast-on edge too tight, we simply chain more stitches to begin with. The stitch count will be adjusted on the following row to fit the pattern and measurement sketch.

The rib edge is more elastic and will contract slightly compared to, for example, stocking stitch. By increasing before the rib edge, you avoid a visible difference in width between the rib edge and the rest of the body.

It’s very easy to cast off too tightly, and by making yarn overs while casting off (and simultaneously casting these off) you avoid a too tight cast off edge.

See DROPS video: How to bind off with yarn overs (yo)

To achieve an even increase (or decrease) you can increase on, for example: every 3rd and 4th row alternately, like so: work 2 rows and increase on the 3rd row, work 3 rows and increase on the 4th. Repeat this until the increase is complete.

See DROPS lesson: Increase or decrease 1 st on every 3rd and 4th row alternately

Should you prefer to work in the round instead of back and forth, you may of course adjust the pattern. You’ll need to add steeks mid-front (usually 5 stitches), and follow the instructions. When you would normally turn and work from the wrong side, simply work across the steek and continue in the round. At the end you’ll cut the piece open, pick up stitches to work bands, and cover the cut edges.

See DROPS video: How to knit steeks and cut open

Should you prefer to work back and forth instead of in the round, you may of course adjust the pattern so you work the pieces separately and then assemble them at the end. Divide the stitches for the body in 2, add 1 edge stitch in each side (for sewing) and work the front and back pieces separately.

See DROPS lesson: Can I adapt a pattern for circular needles into straight needles?

Pattern repeats can vary slightly in the different sizes, in order to get the correct proportions. If you’re not working the exact same size as the garment in the photo, yours might deviate slightly. This has been carefully developed and adjusted so that the complete impression of the garment is the same in all sizes.

Make sure to follow instructions and diagrams for your size!

If you have found a pattern you like which is available in women’s size it’s not very difficult to convert it to men’s size. The biggest difference will be the length of sleeves and body. Start working on the women size that you think would fit across the chest. The additional length will be worked right before you cast off for the armhole/sleeve cap. If the pattern is worked top-down you can add the length right after the armhole or before the first decrease on sleeve.

Regarding additional yarn amount, this will depend on how much length you add, but it is better with a skein too many than too few.

All yarns will have excess fibres (from production) that might come off as lint or shedding. Brushed yarns (ie hairier yarns) have more of these loose, excess fibres, causing more shedding.

Shedding also depends on what is worn under or over the garment, and whether this pulls at the yarn fibres. It’s therefore not possible to guarantee that there will be no shedding

Below are some tips on how to get the best result when working with hairier yarns:

1. When the garment is finished (before you wash it) shake it vigorously so the looser hairs come off. NOTE: do NOT use a lint roller, brush or any method that pulls at the yarn.

2. Place the garment in a plastic bag and put it in your freezer - the temperature will cause the fibres to become less attached to each other, and excess fibres will come off easier.

3. Leave in the freezer for a few hours before taking it out and shaking it again.

4. Wash the garment according to the instructions on the yarn label.

Pilling is a natural process that happens to even the most exclusive of fibers. It's a natural sign of wear and tear that is hard to avoid, and that is most visible in high friction areas of your garment like a sweater's arms and cuffs.

You can make your garment look as new by removing the pilling, using a fabric comb or a pill/lint remover.

Still can't find the answer you need? Then scroll down and leave your question so one of our experts can try to help you. This will be done normally within 5 to 10 working days.
In the meantime, you can read the questions and answers that others have left to this pattern or join the DROPS Workshop on Facebook to get help from fellow knitters/crocheters!
Have you finished this pattern?
Tag your pictures with #dropspattern #winterzebramittens or submit them to the #dropsfan gallery.

Post a comment to pattern DROPS 253-38

We would love to hear what you have to say about this pattern!

If you want to leave a question, please make sure you select the correct category in the form below, to speed up the answering process. Required fields are marked *.

Comments / Questions (1)

country flag Asta Steen Åkerblom wrote:

DROPS 253-38

08.11.2024 - 17:12