Monday, December 10, 2012

On a mitten kick

I love that Basket Rib stitch so much, and I had another skein of the yarn I used for the hat that I had to make matching mittens.

It may have also been that my nephew said No, thank you to any knitted gifts.  His loss.  Let him keep on wearing synthetic cotton-blend socks and having freezing cold toes.  What do I care?

Anyway, mitts it is!

How about a quick pattern?

About 150 (175) yds of worsted
Gauge:  5 sts/in (which was
For a woman's (man's):

CO 40 (44) sts.
Knit in ribbing for 2.5 (3) inches.

Begin basket rib pattern:

Rounds 1-2:  Knit
Round 3:  *sl 1 purlwise; k1* all the way around.Round 4:  *sl 1 purlwise wyib, p1* all the way around.

Work 2 pattern repeats, then increase for thumb gussets.  As you add stitches, just work them into the pattern.  

First round:  m1, k1, m1, then knit the rest of the round.  Mark out the thumb gusset stitches if you need to.  Finish rounds 2-4 to make a pattern repeat.  
On the next "Knit" round of the pattern (round 1), increase again:  m1, k to last stitch in the gusset, m1. Finish out your pattern repeat.

Work increases until you have 13 (15) thumb stitches.  Finish out your pattern repeat, then transfer gusset sts to a safety pin, waste yarn or holder.  CO 2 (3) and keep on working the pattern.  

Knit until your mitten measures 6 (7) inches from the ribbing.  Try it on to make sure it hits the top of your pinkey.  Then shape the top of the mitten.

Decrease 1: * k2, k2tog * on the first "knit" round of the pattern, then finish the pattern repeat.
Decrease 2: * k1, k2tog *, again on the first round of the pattern, then finish it out.
Decrease 3:  *k2tog*.
Knit one round even, then cut a long tail, thread 'em through and weave in your ends.

Thumb:

Transfer thumb stitches to dpns, pick up 3 (4) stitches, and begin with round 1 of Basket Rib.
Work for 2 (2.5) inches, making sure you have just finished round 4, then shape top of the thumb:

*k2tog* then knit one round even.

Cut a long tail, thread through the live stitches and weave in end.

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