Kurrajong Handcrafts Mitten Pattern for Knitting Enthusiasts

Winter Garden Mittens

Nothing is growing in the winter garden. A single, brown creeper clings fitfully to the trellis and the picket fence waits patiently for its rambling vines to be renewed. As pale sunshine reflects on the snow and earth, the leafless shrubs remember warmer days and stretch themselves towards the springtime.

SIZE

Small[Large] (shown in small size) Directions for larger size are given in square brackets. Finished measurements: 7[8]inches long, not including cuff 8[8] inches around.

REQUIREMENTS

Yarn: Jamieson’s Shetland Spindrift ( $100\%$ Shetland wool, $25\mathrm{g}/105\mathrm{m})$ : 1[2] balls MC $\#880\mathrm{~-~}$ coffee; 1[1] ball CC #130 - sky (please note, yarn requirements do not allow for a swatch. If you do not wish to unravel your swatch you will need 2 balls of MC for the small size, 2 balls CC for the large size). Needles: 1 set $2.5\mathrm{mm}$ and 1 set $3.0\mathrm{mm}$ double-pointed or circular needles for your preferred method of knitting in the round, or size needed to obtain correct auge. Notions: smooth waste yarn, yarn needle for finishing, 2 stitch markers.

GAUGE

8sts and 8rows per inch on larger needles after blocking.

PATTERN NOTES

The mittens are knitted in stranded colourwork using fingering weight yarn. Beginning at the cuff with a 2-colour corrugated rib, there is a slight increase in stitch count for the mitten palm. An afterthought thumb is created by knitting in waste stitches which are removed later.

Colour dominance and stranding

The mittens pictured are knitted with MC dominant (i.e. coming from beneath the other throughout). A stronger pattern on the back could be achieved by having CC dominant but this will lead the MC to disappear somewhat on the palm. You could knit with MC dominant on the palm and CC on the back - it's up to you! Except the in the very first and last few rounds of the chart, no float is longer than five stitches. You may choose to catch the longer floats at the back, however the 'sticky' nature of the Shetland yarn makes this unnecessary in most cases. Be particularly cautious when stranding at the end of the round and between needles. Flatten the work at each join and ensure that the stranded yarn is not too tight.

Thumb and general fit

Although the mittens are traditionally shaped and fairly roomy, the thumb is designed to be snug to allow for more control when you want to keep your mittens on and still hold onto things. Add one or two extra waste stitches if you prefer a looser fit.

Reverse cable cast-on

Worked as for a normal cable cast-on but as if to purl each stitch. Insert needle between sts from back to front, purl, and place new st on left needle. This will prevent curling at the base of the cuff.

ABBREVIATIONS

k - knit p-purl ssk - slip next two sts as if to knit, return to left needle and knit together through back loops k2tog - knit next two sts together rpt - repeat inc - increase by knitting front and back sll - slip one st MC - main colour CC - contrast colour

INSTRUCTIONS

Cuff

Using MC and smaller needles cast on 60sts using a reverse cable cast-on (see pattern notes). Round 1: $^{\ast1}\mathrm{k}2$ MC, k2 CC, repeat from \* to end. Round 2: $^{\ast1}\mathrm{k}2$ MC, p2 CC, repeat from \* to end. Repeat round 2 19 more times. Change to larger needles. Next round: knit MC, increasing in the $5^{\mathrm{th}}$ $13^{\mathrm{th}}$ ， $25^{\mathrm{th}}$ ， $33^{\mathrm{rd}}$ ， $45^{\mathrm{th}}$ and $57^{\mathrm{th}}$ sts (66sts). Place markers at beginning and midpoint of round. Begin chart round one (MC only)

Mitten

Work stranded colourwork pattern from chart, working mitten back first, then mitten palm. The pattern repeats over rounds 4 to 17 on back of mitten, rounds 4 to 9 on palm.

Thumb stitches

Round 18[21]: work in pattern until first outlined st. Knit outlined sts using smooth waste yarn, slip these sts back to left needle then knit again in pattern. NB: Remember to work alternative thumb stitches onsecond mitten for an anatomically correct pair! Tie ends of waste yarn together at back to secure. Continue in pattern until completion of round 38. Continue in pattern as follows: Small size: work 7 further rounds. Large size: work one further pattern repeat.

Decrease Top

Following appropriate chart for mitten top, decrease according to instructions. All decreases are worked in MC. Round 39[46]: work in pattern. Round 40[47]: $^{*1}\mathrm{k}1$ ，ssk, k to last 3sts before marker, k2tog, kl, rpt from \* for palm. Repeat these two rounds, keeping pattern correct according to chart, until completion of round 55[62]. Round 56[63]: working in MC only, sll, ssk, k to last 3sts before marker, k2tog, sl1, rpt from \* for palm. Next round: working in CC only, $^{*1}\mathrm{k}1$ , ssk, $\mathrm{k}$ to last 3sts before marker, k2tog, k1, rpt from \* for palm. Turn inside out and join remaining stitches at top of mitten using a three-needle castoff.

Thumb

Remove waste yarn stitch by stitch and carefully place live stitches on two needles. Stitches from above the waste yarn will be trickier to pick up, work in good light and don't try to rush. Arrange the 22 stitches on circulars or 4 dpns, join yarns and commence thumb with lower stitches. Round 1: \*pick up and knit 1 st at right side of thumb CC, $\{{\mathrm{k}}1~{\mathrm{MC}},{\mathrm{k}}1~{\mathrm{CC}}\}5$ times, k1 MC, pick up and knit O[1]st at left side of thumb, repeat from \* continuing to alternate colours (24[26]sts). Stripe pattern should flow out of diamond pattern at base of thumb. Round 2: {k1 CC, k1 MC}around. Continue in stripe pattern for a further 15[17]rounds, or for length of thumb. Break CC yarn. Next round: working in MC only, k2tog around (12[13]sts). Next round: working in MC only, k2tog around (6[7]sts), break yarn and, using a yarn needle, thread through remaining sts and pull tight.

Finishing

Darn in all ends and block if desired (mitten blockers can be easily made from wire coat hangers). Repeat for second mitten, remembering to place afterthought thumb stitches‘on opposite side.

Thank you for purchasing a pattern from Kurrajong Handcrafts. If you have any queries or concerns, do not hesitate to contact us. This pattern_is copyright $\copyright$ 2007 toDiane Mulholland. It may not be copied or distributed and garments made from the pattern may not be sold for profit.