I've spent most of my knitting time this month working on Selbu mittens. Selbu mittens are usually knit in black and white and have a history spanning over 150 years. More than four hundred different traditional patterns for these mittens are registered at Selbu. There is a dramatic difference between the pattern on the back of the hand and the palm and the two different patterns are separated with a literal dividing line on either side. Cuffs show the distinct difference between the male and female mittens. Men's mittens are knit with short cuffs all covered with patterns and the female mittens have longer cuffs with out patterns and mostly are ribbed. I love the patterned cuffs and knit them for the gals before I knew they were for male mittens. Everyone has liked the patterned cuffs and, truthfully, I've yet to find a pattern big enough for the ND Norwegian male's hands. If I were to use a bigger needle on the pattern as suggested the fabric would be too loos