It’s all about the braid. These cuffs are a little workshop in stranded color knitting and braids. Three types of braids are featured: Latvian herringbone braids, half braids that resemble chain links, and half braids that resemble twisted rope. They are knit in the round, from the bottom up. DPNs, magic loop, two circulars: knitter’s choice. Choose three colors and get knitting! I can’t seem to stop. I’ve knit four pairs and I’m almost done with my fifth. It’s still chilly enough in Portland that these make sense!
The pattern calls for less than 60 yards of each of three colors. (These are Knitted Wit Double Bubble mini skeins.) Instructions are written, with a video tutorial on the knitted braid technique.
The pattern is available as a pdf download through Ravelry for $6. Ravelry pattern page link here. To celebrate this pattern’s release, use coupon code BRAIDS for 20% off through April 4, 2016.
I’ve knit these with 3 kinds of DK weight yarn. My favorite so far? Knitted Wit Double Bubble DK. The twist on this yarn is nice and tight, which is less prone to split, and gives the braids lovely definition. Lorajean will have yarn kits for this in her etsy shop soon (today, I think).
Go Ducks! Once you know how to knit the braids, you can adapt these to your heart’s delight. I learned the herringbone braid in a Latvian Mitts class with Beth Brown-Reinsel last month at Madrona, and was enchanted by the possibilities. A series of “What if I do this? Or this?” led to these definitely not-Latvian wristlets.
Thanks to tech editor Amanda Woodruff, test knitters Lisa Yarrow and Kim Winter, and Lorajean Kelley of Knitted Wit for the beautiful yarn.
I’m teaching a class with this pattern at Twisted on Saturday, May 14 from 2 to 6 p.m. We’ll learn about stranded knitting with two colors and managing your yarns so they don’t tangle, yarn color dominance, and braids. Contact Twisted to sign up!
PDXKnitterati 
I love these – purchased already, thanks for the discount. 🙂 I’m going to stop by Twisted and get some gumballs right after work. I have a meeting tonight and needed a project. You published this just in time!
Hey, just so you know it’s not Gumballs! DK instead of fingering (faster!). I used her Double Bubble DK. If you really want Gumballs (fingering weight), you could up the stitch count; it’s multiples of 8. Have fun!
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What a great way to learn braids without having to knit an entire mitten (I hate knitting thumbs!) Thank you!
I don’t mind knitting thumbs, and originally intended these to be mittens or fingerless mitts, but I kept knitting and didn’t seem to be getting any closer to the place for the thumb hole, and I just wanted to play with braids. Voilà, cuffs! Have fun, and post a picture when you’re done!
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