First Frost
by Jade Keaney Difficulty: Mellow, Advanced Beginner Brrr! These mitts hold the promise of frosty mornings, dancing snowflakes, and cold wintry winds. With stranded color-work in two icy colors, they borrow from traditional sweater motifs and evoke frigid temperatures and snow flurries. Worked in Madelinetosh Pashmina Worsted, they knit up quickly and keep hands toasty warm - whip up a pair just in time for that first frost! SIZE S [M, L] (shown in size L) FINISHED MEASUREMENTS (approx) Wrist: 6 [7, 8] inches Hand: 7 [8, 9.5] inches
MATERIALS
[MC] Madelinetosh Pashmina Worsted [75% Merino, 15% Silk, 10% Cashmere; 210 yd/192 m per skein]; color: Silver Fox; 1 [1, 1] skeins [CC] Madelinetosh Pashmina Worsted [75% Merino, 15% Silk, 10% Cashmere; 210 yd/192 m per skein]; color: Fathom; 1 [1, 1, ] skeins (note: 1 skein is a very conservative estimate. I made the size L out of half (or slightly less than half) a skein of each. It's likely that one skein of each color could yield 2 pair of sizes M and L, and maybe 3 pair of size S.) 1 set(s) US #7/X4.5mm double-point needles notions required: [tapestry needle for weaving in ends, stitch markers, holder or waste yarn for thumb sts]
GAUGE
20 sts/24 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch
PATTERN Mitts, make 2.
Bottom Ribbing
With MC, co 28 [32, 40] sts and join to work in the round. Work 6 rnds in kip1 rib. Change to CC and k 1 rnd before beginning the thumb gusset.
Thumb Gusset
Set up rnd: k1, pm, k2, pm, k to end. Increase rnd: k1, sl m, m1R, k to m, m1L, sl m, k to end. (2 sts increased.) Next rnd: k to end, slipping markers as you come to them. Repeat these 2 rnds twice more (8 sts between markers), then work 2 rnds even before beginning the color-work section.
Color-work Band
rnd 1: k1 CC, join MC, k1 MC, \* k1 CC, k1 MC \* to end. Rnd 2: \* k1 MC, k1 CC \* to end. Rnd 3: \* k1 CC, k1 MC \* to end.
Rnds 4-6: k with MC only. Rnd 7: \* k1 MC, k1 CC \* to end. Rnd 8: \* k1 CC, k1 MC \* to end. Rnd 9: \* k1 MC, k1 CC \* to end.
Separate Thumb
Working in CC only, k1, sl next 8 sts to waste yarn or holder for thumb, co 2 sts, then k to end. Work 7 more rnds CC.
Top Ribbing
Change to MC and k 1 rnd. Work 4 rnds in kip1 rib, then bind offloosely in pattern.
Thumb
Sl 8 sts from holder back to needle. Using CC, pick up 2 [4, 4] sts over the gap, and k 3 rnds. Change to MC and k 1 rnd. Work 1 rnd kip1 rib, then bind off loosely in pattern.
FINISHING
Weave in ends and sew any gaps left by color changes. If needed, wet block to even out tension over the stranded color-work. Let dry thoroughly before wearing outside, unless you live somewhere it's not currently freezing. Enjoy!
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Jade Keaney lives just south of Pittsburgh, PA (where, yes, it does sometimes snow a bit in mid-October...see photos!) with her husband and two daughters. Her days are spent chasing her children, knitting, avoiding housework whenever possible, and, on occasion, designing something.
