Saturday, December 08, 2007

Basic Fingerless Mitts

Note: This pattern is also available as a free Ravelry download, here.



shown in Heritage Hand Dyes DK yarn (www.heritageneedlework.etsy.com)

35 g (1.2 oz)
~90 yards
US 5 (3.75mm) needles (I used two circulars)
gauge: 5.5 stitches and 6.5 rows = 1"
size: women's medium

K=knit
P=purl
kfb=knit in the front and back of a stitch

Cast on 36 stitches loosely. (I cast on over two US5 needles)

Join without twisting and work K4 P2 rib for 16 rounds.

Work first increase round for thumb gusset:
(K 4, P2) 3 times, K1, place starting marker for gusset, kfb, kfb, place ending marker for gusset, K1, P2, (K4, P2) twice.

Work 4 rounds even, in rib pattern and knitting all gusset stitches.

Second and subsequent increase round:
(K 4, P2) 3 times, K1, (marker), kfb, knit to last stitch of gusset, kfb, (marker), K1, P2, (K4, P2) twice.

Repeat (knit even 4 rounds, increase round) 3 more times – 12 gusset stitches.

Work one round even, in rib pattern and knitting all gusset stitches.

Work around in pattern, placing 12 gusset stitches on a holder and casting on 2 stitches in their place.

Work around in pattern for 14 rounds.

Bind off using Elizabeth Zimmerman’s sewn bind off:
Cut the yarn 4x the circumference of your hand/mitt, thread a tapestry needle, and *insert the tapestry needle through the first two stitches as if to purl, draw the yarn through, keep the stitches on the knitting needle, insert the tapestry needle back through the first stitch as if to knit and slip it off the knitting needle, draw the yarn through.* Repeat from * to * until all stitches have been bound off. Don't pull the yarn too tight while binding off.

Thumb:

Place reserved gusset stitches back on the needles.
Knit around, picking up two stitches at the top of the thumb opening (14 stitches total).
Knit two rounds even.
Bind off using EZ's sewn bind off.

Knit a second mitt the same as the first - no reversed shaping needed!

These mitts could be easily personalized by adding cables, lace, or stranded color patterns, lengthening them into gauntlets, or even turning them into full mittens by finishing the fingertips. They're a jumping-off place. Be creative!

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© 2007 Sue Brady
You are welcome to make and sell mitts from this pattern, but please don't copy my written pattern for commercial uses or post it elsewhere (link to this page, OK?).

4 comments:

Leigh said...

I've always wanted to try these. Maybe now I can, except that I won't whip them out in one night :)

Anonymous said...

Thank you.

And, with your kind permission to 'make and sell,' I can let my teens make them for a Girl Scout fundraiser.

E to the M said...

I started these last night and already have one done. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Dear Sue,
many thanks for this fingerless glove pattern, my daughter lives in the UK and has very bad arthritis in her hands, this will be a fabulous gift for her. If I can I will make a few pairs to help her keep her hands warm, especially when working on the computer. from a very happy mom