This is a mitten knit according to a pattern for mittens from Finland. The small color patterns serve a practical purpose as well as a decorative function. Extra colors are carried behind the work, making a thick fabric. Knitters tend to knit more tightly when carrying 2 colors, so the fabric formed is more dense. Warm mittens are essential in harsh winters.
The above pucture shows the inside of the mitten.
Notice the yellow horizontal line? Those stitches are knit with a scrap of yellow yarn to hold open stitches for adding the thimb once the body of the mitten is done.
I keep mittens or socks next to my favorite chair so I can knit while watching a movie or just hanging out in the family room.