Saturday
Feb022013
Laura's Loop: Classic Mittens
Whitney made some. Molly too. And so I had no choice but to join in and make some of my very own wintertime mittens!
Being the last of three kids in my family, I might have a teeny, tiny bit of youngest-child syndrome. Some might even call it a fear of missing out (#FOMO). So after drooling over Whitney's elegant Gem Gloves and having a mom and daughter sew-along for Molly's Simple Felted Wool Mittens, I picked up some of Anzula's wonderfully bouncy, incredibly warm merino-cashmere Cricket and cast on.
With a hearty slip-stitch at the hemmed cuff and a perfectly rounded top, these Classic Mittens hark back to childhood days of bundling up at my mom's insistence, so anxious to slip out the door and chase after my big brothers.
Just as I used to run after my brothers, my creative eye is now on Whitney and Molly who have me inspired once more. Feel like tagging along? Get started! - Laura
The Materials
- 1 (1 to 2, 2, 2) skein of Anzula's Cricket (80% superwash merino, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon). I used the color Teal.
- A set of US #3 double pointed needles
- A set of US #2 double pointed needles
- Crochet hook and scrap yarn (for Provisional Cast On)
The Pattern
Gauge
7 stitches = 1 inch in stockinette stitch
Sizes
X-Small (Small, Medium, Large)
Finished Dimensions
Circumference around Palm: 6 (6 3/4, 7 3/4, 8 1/2) inches
Length: custom measurements, adjustments given in pattern
Pattern Notes
Slip slip knit pass (sskp): slip two stitches together as if to knit, knit one, pass two slipped stitches over knit stitch and off needle; two stitch decrease
Begin
With smaller needles, use the Provisional Cast On method to cast on 48 (54, 60, 66) stitches.
Join for working in the round being careful not to twist stitches.
Round 1: Knit.
Round 2: *K2, slip 1, repeat from * to end of round.
Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 until piece measures 6 inches from cast on edge.
Hem the Cuff
Fold up the cast on edge to the inside of the knit tube and align the cast on edge with the working stitches.
Use the larger double pointed needles to pick up the cast on stitches.
Holding the outside working needle and inside cast on needle parallel to each other, knit 1 stitch from the front needle together with 1 stitch from the back needle.
Repeat to end of round.
Continue working with the larger needles.
Work Body of Mitten
Decrease Round: *K6 (7, 8, 9), k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. 42 (48, 54, 60) stitches
Knit evenly for 2 3/4 (3, 3, 3 1/4) inches.
Make the Thumb Hole
For the Right Thumb Hole
Next Round: K2 and cut yarn. With scrap yarn, k6 (7, 8, 9). Join yarn and knit to end of round.
For the Left Thumb Hole
Next Round: K35 (40, 45, 50) and cut yarn. With scrap yarn, k6 (7, 8, 9). Join yarn and k1.
Continue Body of Mitten, Right and Left
Knit evenly for 3 (3 1/2, 3 3/4, 4) inches from Thumb Hole Stitches or 1/2 (1, 1 1/4, 1 1/2) inches less than desired finished length.
Shape Mitten Top
Decrease Round: *K1, k2tog, k4 (5, 6, 7), ssk, k4 (5, 6, 7), k2tog, k4 (5, 6, 7), ssk, repeat from * to end. 34 (40, 46, 52) stitches
Next Round: Knit.
Decrease Round: *K1, k2tog, k3 (4, 5, 6), ssk, k2 (3, 4, 5), k2tog, k3 (4, 5, 6), ssk, repeat from * to end. 26 (32, 38, 44) stitches
Next Round: Knit.
For X-Small Size Only
Decrease Round: *K1, k2tog, k1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1, ssk, repeat from * to end. (18 stitches)
Decrease Round: *K1, k2tog, k4, ssk, repeat from * to end. (14 stitches)
Cut yarn and thread it through the remaining stitches.
For Small (Medium, Large) Sizes
Decrease Round: *K1, k2tog, k3 (4, 5), ssk, k1 (2, 3), k2tog, k3 (4, 5), ssk, repeat from * to end. 24 (30, 36) stitches
Next Round: Knit.
For Small Size Only
Decrease Round: *K1, k2tog, k2, slip slip knit pass (sskp, see pattern notes), k2, ssk, repeat from * to end. (16 stitches)
Decrease Round: *K1, k2tog, k3, ssk, repeat from * to end. (12 stitches)
Cut yarn and thread it through the remaining stitches.
For Medium Size Only
Decrease Round: *K1, k2tog, k3, ssk, k2tog, k3, ssk, repeat from * to end. (22 stitches)
Next Round: Knit.
Decrease Round: *K1, k2tog, k2, ssk, k2tog, k2, ssk, repeat from * to end. (14 stitches)
Cut yarn and thread it through the remaining stitches.
For Large Size Only
Decrease Round: *K1, k2tog, k4, ssk, k1, k2tog, k4, ssk, repeat from * to end. (28 stitches)
Next Round: Knit.
Decrease Round: *K1, k2tog, k3, sskp, k3, ssk, repeat from * to end. (20 stitches)
Next Round: Knit.
Decrease Round: Decrease Round: *K1, k2tog, k5, ssk, repeat from * to end. (16 stitches)
Decrease Round: Decrease Round: *K1, k2tog, k3, ssk, repeat from * to end. (12 stitches)
Cut yarn and thread it through the remaining stitches.
Pick up for the Thumb
Slip the 6 (7, 8, 9) stitches below the Thumb Hole scrap yarn onto a double pointed needle.
Slip the 6 (7, 8, 9) stitches above the scrap yarn onto another double pointed needle.
Remove the scrap yarn.
Next Round: Joining yarn, knit lower 6 (7, 8, 9) stitches, pick up 1 stitch, knit upper 6 (7, 8, 9) stitches, pick up 1 stitch, place marker and join for working in round. 14 (16, 18, 20) stitches
Knit evenly for 2 (2, 2 1/4, 2 1/2) inches or 1/4 inch less than desired length.
Decrease Round: *K1, k2tog, k2 (3, 4, 5), ssk, repeat from * to end of round. 10 (12, 14, 16) stitches
For XSmall and Small Sizes Only
Cut yarn and thread through remaining stitches.
For Medium (Large) Sizes Only
Decrease Round: *K1, k2tog, k2 (3), ssk, repeat from * to end of round. 10 (12) stitches
Cut yarn and thread it through the remaining stitches.
All Sizes
Weave in the ends, gently block your mittens and you're done!
purl bee