Magpie Mittens
by Marit, alias Yarn Jungle Size: Women's medium
Materials:
Yarn: Rauma Finullgarn (100% wool, 175 m / 50 g) in natural or white (main colour, MC) and black (contrast colour, CC): one skein each, or two skeins of an equivalent fingering weight yarn. Set of 5 double pointed needles, 2.5 mm (US 11/2). A bit of scrap yarn or a stitch holder Tapestry needle
Make sure to work all charts in the opposite direction for the second mitten, to reverse the pattern and the thumb placement.
Tips for knitting stranded colourwork:
\* If you have to strand yarn across 5 or more stitches, wrap the unused yarn in the back of the Work. Hold the two different yarn threads consistently the same way while knitting. The contrast colour should lie under the main colour thread all the way. This makes the colour pattern look better.
Cuff
Loosely cast on 60 stitches in main colour. Divide the stitches onto four needles and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches. Knit 1 through the back loop, purl 1 for 30 rounds, or any ribbing pattern of your choice. Work cuff chart (and don't forget to reverse the chart patterns for the second mitten)
Hand
Work the hand according to the main chart. The thumb gusset will take shape as you make the increases. When the thumb gusset is complete, slip the 15 thumb stitches, as indicated by the chart, onto scrap yarn Or a stitch holder. Cast on13 new stitches over the thumb hole using the backward loop method. Continue with the main chart, decreasing stitches as shown. When you have come to the end of the chart, cut the yarn, leaving a long tail of both threads. Using a tapestry needle, pull the threads through all remaining stitches, pull tight and weave in the ends.
Thumb
Remove the scrap yarn or yarn holder and put the thumb stitches on 2 double pointed needles. Pick up 1 stitch from the side of the thumb hole, pick up 13 stitches from the stitches you cast on over the thumb hole, and pick up 1 more stitch from the other side of the thumb hole - 30 stitches in total. Work the thumb chart, continuing the palm pattern for the inside of the thumb, and the magpie tracks on the outside. Note that you will have to make two extra stitches (marked with +) in the first round. Make the thumb tip decreases as shown in the chart, and finish the thumb in the same manner as the mitten tip.
Finishing
Use the tapestry needle to weave in all loose ends on the wrong side. If you see a small hole where the thumb was picked up, sew it closed using the yarn tail. Steam block lightly under a wet cloth.
Symbols
口 Main colour Contrast colour Knit 2 together Slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over Slip two stitches together as if to knit, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over + Make 1 stitch n Put this stitch on scrap yarn or stitch holder Cuff chart
Thumb chart
2014 Marit, Yarn Jungle. All rights reserved. This pattern is for personal use only. Do not reproduce.
