Ribbed Handspun Mitts
Suggested yarns: Aran/worsted or dk weight yarn. Although both yarns will create nice warm mitts, using an aran/worsted weight yarn will create a denser mitt while DK will create a lighter mitt. Gauge: 13 sts to 2" in 3x1 rib pattern or 5.5 sts per inch in stockinette. Suggested Needles: US 6 or size needed to obtain gauge. Both sizes are designed to fit a wide range of hand sizes. The smaller size will fit approx 13 years old to small petite adult hands; larger size will fit average woman's hands to average man's hands.
Definitions:
pm - place marker
sm - slip marker M1L - Insert left needle, from front to back, under the strand of yarn which runs between the stitch just worked and the next stitch on the left-hand needle. Knit into the back loop of the stitch. M1R - Insert left needle, from back to front under the strand of yarn which runs between the stitch just worked and the next stitch on the left needle. Knit into the front loop of the stitch.
Directions:
CO 32 (36) in a stretchy method such as German twisted cast on or Jeny's Incredibly Stretchy Cast On. Knit 8 rows 1x1 rib. If preferred, simply start knitting in 3x1 rib. For smaller sizes knit in 3x1 rib until mitt is desired length measuring from wrist bone up to position on arm where you would like mitt to end. For larger sizes knit in 3x1 rib for 55 rows or until mitt is desired length, again measuring from wrist bone to position on arm where you would like mitt to end.
Thumb Gusset Set-Up:
Knit in pattern to first purl st, pm, M1L, p1, M1R, pm, finish round in pattern. Knit 3 rows in pattern.
Thumb Gusset:
See Sizing Note at end of pattern if knitting for someone with shorter hands. ·Knit in pattern to first marker, sm, M1L, knit to purl st, p1, knit to next marker, M1R, sm, finish row in pattern. knit 3 rows in pattern, purling the single center stitch on each row. Repeat above 4 rows until 11 (13) sts between markers. On next row, knit to first marker, slip thumb 11 (13) thumb sts to waste yarn. Leave 1 marker where thumb sts were, continue knitting around in pattern to beginning of round marker. M1 st before the marker. This M1 stitch will become the last st of the round and will be a purl st on subsequent rows.
Hand:
Knit in pattern until desired length, remembering to purl the last stitch of the round to maintain the 3x1 rib pattern. Bind off using a stretchy bind off method. Jeny's Incredibly Stretchy Bind Off is a good option.
Thumb:
Leave approx 12" tail when joining new yarn. This tail will be used to close up any gaps left when joining the thumb. Place 11 (13) thumb sts on needle (DPNs or whatever small diameter knitting method you prefer). When knitting the first round pick up 1 st at gap and one extra st on hand before knitting thumb sts. Knit 11 (13) thumb sts with a P1 stitch at the middle of the thumb sts. Pick up 1 st on right side on hand before joining in the round. A total of 3 sts should be picked up. There should now be 14 (16) sts on the needles. Knit 8 to 10 rows for smaller size and 12 rows for larger size in pattern. Bind off loosely. Any small holes left at the thumb join can be closed when weaving in the yarn tail. Weave in all ends using the yarn tail at the thumb to close up any gaps.
Options:
Many variations can be made to this mitt. If you would prefer a mitt that can be folded to cover the fingers when it's really cold out then simply knit the hand portion longer and fold it back.
Sizing Notes:
; short hands, knit 2 plain rounds in between each gusset increase round rather than Additionally, if you would like to knit these to fit smaller hands - cast on 20, 24 or 28 sts. As we know children vary in size greatly so this is strictly a guide. Keep in mind that ribbing stretches a lot. 20 sts will fit a toddler, 24 sts approx age 5-8 yrs and 28 sts approx age 8-12 yrs.
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