KNIT THESE!
Easy winter mittens
These warm mittens are made of a tight-knitted fabric that really does not look like it is knitted at all. It’s a clever stitch that uses three colours. I used a superwash merino from Lion Brand, which is closer to a 5ply in thickness, so substituting another 8ply yarn may make the sizes too big and you should check the gauge first. It comes in large skeins (100g).
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS Small: 29.25cm-long with cuff unfolded, 21.5cm-long with cuff folded and 10cm at the widest part
Medium: 30.5cm-long with cuff unfolded, 22.75cm-long with cuff folded and 11.5cm at the widest part
Large: 31.75cm-long with cuff unfolded, 24cm-long with cuff folded and 12.75cm at the widest part
YARN
Lion Brand LB Collection Superwash Merino 8ply
100% superwash merino;
100g skein; 280m
Main Colour (MC)
1 skein: shade #113 Cherry Contrast Colour 1 (CC1)
1 skein: shade #170 Dijon Contrast Colour 2 (CC2)
1 skein: shade #102 Aqua
Note: If using smaller skeins (50g), you’ll still only need one of each colour. The total weight of this pair of mittens is 65g
NEEDLES
US3 (3.25mm) set of doublepointed needles
GAUGE
Using US3 (3.25mm) needles, 26 stitches x 48 rows = 10cm over pattern. Adjust the needle size to get the correct tension. To start one mitten, using MC, cast on 48 (56, 64) stitches with US3 (3.25mm) double-pointed needles: Distribute the stitches evenly across three of the needles and start working in the round. Work k2, p2 rib for 10cm.
Add in the contrast colours to begin pattern and main part of mittens:
Place marker, if using, and slip on every round.
Pattern round 1 (MC): *k1, yf, sl1 and carry yarn across front of work, yb*, repeat from *to* to the last stitch.
Pattern round 2 (CC1): *yf, sl1 and carry yarn across front of work, yb, k1*, repeat from *to* to the last stitch.
Pattern round 3 (CC2): *k1, yf, sl1 and carry yarn across front of work, yb*, repeat from *to* to the last stitch.
Pattern round 4 (MC): *yf, sl1 and carry yarn across front of work, yb, k1*, repeat from *to* to the last stitch.
Pattern round 5 (CC1): *k1, yf, sl1 and carry yarn across front of work, yb*, repeat from *to* to the last stitch.
Pattern round 6 (CC2): *yf, sl1 and carry yarn across front of work, yb, k1*, repeat from *to* to the last stitch.
These 6 rounds form the pattern and you should start to see it emerge after
6-12 rounds.
Repeat these 6 rounds until work measures 16.5cm
(17.75cm, 19cm).
Separate for thumb:
Work 18 (21, 24) stitches in pattern, place next 12 (14, 16) stitches onto stitch holder, work next 18 (21, 24) stitches in pattern.
Keep working on these 36
(42, 48) stitches, keeping the pattern correct, until your work measures 28cm (29.25cm, 30.5cm) from the cast-on edge.
Working in MC only, decrease for top of mitten:
Round 1 (decrease): *sl1, k1, psso*, repeat from *to* to the end of the round (18, 21, 24 stitches).
Round 2 (decrease): *sl1, k1, psso, k1*, repeat from *to* to the end of the round (12,
14, 16 stitches).
Round 3 (decrease): *sl1, k1, psso*, repeat from *to* to end of the round (6, 7, 8 stitches).
Pull yarn through stitches on needle. Pull tightly and tie off on reverse.
Working on the 12 (14, 16) stitches on the holder, rejoin MC to make the thumb:
Place stitches onto doublepointed needles and pick up and knit 6 ( 7, 8) stitches along the thumb edge of the main part of the mitten (18, 21, 24 stitches). Place marker, if using, and slip on every round. Rounds 1- 8: knit.
Round 9 (decrease): *k4 (5, 6), k2tog*, repeat from *to* twice (15, 18, 21 stitches). Rounds 10-13: knit.
Round 14 (decrease): *k3 (4, 5), k2tog*, repeat from *to* twice (12, 15, 18 stitches).
Rounds 15-18: knit.
Round 19 (decrease): *k2 (3, 4), k2tog*, repeat from *to* twice (9, 12, 15 stitches).
Round 20: knit.
Round 21 (decrease): *k1 (2, 3), k2tog*, repeat from *to* twice (6, 9, 12 stitches).
Stop here for small size, break yarn and pull yarn through stitches on needle. Pull tightly and tie off on reverse.
Continue for medium and large sizes:
Round 22 (decrease): *k1, k2tog*, repeat from *to* twice (6, 8 stitches).
Break yarn and pull yarn through stitches on needle. Pull tightly and tie off on reverse. Repeat for second mitten.
TO FINISH
Break off yarn, leaving a 20cm-tail and tie off securely. Using a darning needle, weave yarn tails into stitches on the wrong side. You may need to place a few stitches at the base of the thumb, where it joins the main part of the mitten, if the stitches are stretched wide apart.