Gallifrey Mitts Pattern: A Doctor Who Inspired Knitting Project with Twisted Stitches and Seal of Rassilon

GALLIFREY

By Velma Aho

These mitts got their inspiration from a lovely skein of yarn in the Tenth Doctor's colours. The Doctor is, of course, the hero of the brilliant science fiction show Doctor Who: an alien who travels through time and space in a time machine that looks like a police box. Named after the Doctor's lost home planet, the mitts feature the Seal of Rassilon, a symbol sometimes seen on the show, worked in twisted stitches.

YARN

Lai-la-lai Yarnz Merino Strong Sock (75% Merino, 25% Nylon, 100 g / 420 m), about 50 g, colourway: "the Doctor" Any fingering-weight sock yarn should work - of course, the measurements will vary according to the yarn. Tried and tested so far: Wollmeise 100% Merino Superwash (100% Merino, 100 g / 350 m), about 50 g, colour: red-orange (We're Different/Versuchskaninchen) Malabrigo Yarn Sock (100% Merino, 100 g / 402 m), about 40 g, colour: Terracotta Gauge: sts and 40 rounds of stockinette = 10 cm Needle size:, 2 mm Size: Women's small/medium (depending on yarn & gauge)

DIRECTIONS

NB. In the charts, the cabling is explained as if using a cable needle, but since there's quite a lot of it, it's very much recommended to do it without one. Abbreviations: k: knit p: purl ktbl: knit through the back loop m: make sts: stitches

Right hand

Cast on 63 stitches, distribute on 3 dpns. Join, being careful not to twist. Purl two rounds, then begin chart 1, row 1. The chart's row is repeated 7 times every round. Knit the next 5 rounds according to rows 2-6 of chart 1. Once you've finished chart 1, purl 2 rounds, then knit two rounds, and knit 3 stitches. The new beginning of the round is here. Redistribute the stitches so that you've got 21 per needle. On the next round, begin chart 2: knit 3, knit row 0 of chart 2 (36 stitches), and knit 24. Continue working as established, following chart 2 and knitting the rest of the stitches. When you've finished chart 2, return to row 1 of the chart. On this round, you'll also begin knitting the thumb gusset. The recommended way of making stitches is to pick up the strand of yarn between stitches and knit it through back loop. und 1: k3, k row 1 of chart 2, k1, m1, k1, m1, k to end of round (65 st Round 2: k3, k row 2 of chart 2, k to end of round Round 3: k3, k row 3 of chart, k1, m1, k3, m1, k to end of round (67 sts) · Round 4: k3, k row 4 of chart, knit to end of round Continue as established, making two stitches every other round, until you've knit row 23 of the chart. If needed, add one more dpn to the work. Once you've reached row 23, the gusset should have 25 stitches, and the entire work 87 stitches. When the gusset is finished, slip the 25 sts to a holder or a piece of waste yarn. 62 stitches remain. Keep working as before, following chart 2 and knitting the rest of the stitches in stockinette, until you've knit row 39 of the chart (and the rest of the round). Knit 1 round. Then knit the decrease round: \*k5, knit 2 together\*, repeat 8 times, and knit 6 stitches. 54 sts remain. Purl 2 rounds, and 2 more stitches. New beginning of the round is here. Knit row 1 of chart 1, which is repeated 6 times during the round. Knit the next 5 rounds following rows 2-6 of chart 1. Finally, purl 2 rounds, and bind off.

Left hand

Identical to the right hand, except for the thumb gusset: Once you've reached the round where you'll begin row 1 of chart 2 for the second time, begin the gusset before the chart: Round 1: k1, m1, k1, m1, k1, k row 1 of chart 2, k to end of round (65 sts) Round 2: k5, k row 2 of chart 2, k to end of round Round 3: k1, m1, k3, m1, k1, knit row 3 of chart 2, knit to end of round (67 sts) Round 4: k7, knit row 4 of chart 2, k to end of round etc.

Thumbs

Both hands: put the 25 gusset stitches on 3 dpns, and pick up 2 more stitches, s0 that you've got 9 stitches per needle. Knit 10 rounds, or until the thumb reaches a desired length. Purl 2 rounds, and bind off.

CHARTS

Chart 1:

Legend:

Chart 2: