Chilly Podsters
A convertible mitt/glove pattern by Glenna C.
Like my original “Podster" Gloves pattern, this convertible mittenglove pattern features a modified thumb for you to keep your thumbs flying over the texting keyboard or mp3 player - but this time in warm and wooly worstedweightyarn,for evencolder winter temperatures. For those times you need to send a quick text, change to the next song on your music player, press the button on your camera, or whatever else you might need to do on the go without sacrificing warmhands! Worked cuff-up in the round. Please work in the round in whichever method is most comfortable for you (Magic Loop, Double-Pointed Needles, or Two Circulars).
Materials
Gauge
Skills
Berroco Ultra Alpaca [50% alpaca/50% wool, 215 yds/198 m per 3.5 oz/100g skein], 1(2) skeins OR 200(230) yds worstedweight wool or wool/alpaca blend, if substituting yarns 3.25mm needles (DPNs or long circular for Magic Loop) OR needle size required for gauge Tapestry needle Stitch holder or waste yarn Stitch markers 24 sts/32 rows over 4 ins on 3.25mm needles OR needle size required to obtain gauge (This will likely be 3-4 needle sizes smaller than the needle size you would normally
Sizing
S(L) To fit hand circumference 6.25-7.0 ins (7.25-8 ins) around; Roughly equivalent to Women's Small(Women's Large/ Men's Small). To execute this pattern, knitters will be required to: Work in the round ·Work knit and purl sts Work increases (m1) and decreases (ssk, k2tog, p2tog) Pick up sts (for working fingers and thumb) Be comfortable with a bit of "fiddly” work - working even small glove fingers can demand a bit of finicky attention
Pattern Notes
This pattern is written as a 'convertible' or “flip-top' mitten pattern, where the mitten is worked as a partial glove with an attached mitten top that may be flipped up or down according to wearing preference. The addition of a button, snap, or Velcro closure to aid in fastening down the mitten top when not closed around the hand is not indicated here, howeverthisisawelcomemodificationforknitters who wish to do so. Modifications suggested at the end of the pattern instructions include the 'podster' thumb, which creates a gap at the centre-inside of the thumb to allow the thumb to sneak in and out of the mitt, and suggestions on how to make plain mitts or plain gloves using this pattern as a baseline.
Glossary of terms
Beg = beginning BO = bind off CO = cast on K2tog = knit two sts together (decrease) M1 = make one (increase) P2tog = purl two sts together (decrease) PM = place marker Rem = remaining Ssk = slip, slip, knit (decrease) Sts = stitches Please feel free to consult your own knitting manuals or online reference materials for general technical support for techniques contained within. Below are additional details for working selected techniques.
Pattern
Whereinstructionsdifferbetweensizes,thiswill be noted with the use of parentheses: S(L). See pattern notes above for sizing and gauge information.
Left Mitt
CO 38(42) sts. Join to work in the round, dividing sts evenly across needles. Place marker(pm) to mark beginning of round. First round: K1tbl, p1. Repeat to end of round. Repeat this round, continuing to work in ribbing until work measures 3.5 ins from beg, OR to desired length of cuff.
Hand
Next round: K all sts, increasing 2(4) sts evenly across the round. 40(46) sts rem. Work 2(3) rounds even, knitting all sts. Work next seven rounds as follows, establishing thumbgusset: Round 1: K1, pm, k to last st, pm, k1. Round 2 (increase round): K1, m1, sl m, kto last 2 sts, sl m, m1, k1. Round 3: Work even, working all sts as they appear. Round 4: As round 3. Round 5 (increase round): K to 1 st before marker, m1, k1, sl m, kto next marker, sl m, k1, m1, kto end. Round 6: Work even, working all sts as they appear. Round 7: As Round 6. Continue in this manner, working the increase round every 3rd round another 3 times, then every 4th round 2(3) times. 16(18) knit sts rem between the two markers. Work 2 rounds even. Work next round even, working all sts as they appear, up to the second marker only. Remove marker and then sl rem 8(9) sts in the round and the first 8(9) sts from the beg of the round onto a stitch holder or waste yarn. (These 16(18) sts will be held for the thumb and then worked later.) Turn work. CO 2 new sts. Turn work. Join to work in round once again. (You now have 2 new sts CO over the gap for the thumb). Round now starts in the middle of these s sts. PM to note new beginning of round. [40(46) sts rem] Next round: K all sts. Work another 3(4) rounds even. Next round: Work next 21(24) sts and slip the sts just worked onto a length of waste yarn, then slip them back onto the smaller needles. (This identifies the sts you will need to pick up later to work the Mitten Top. Ideally this line will sit at or just at the beginning of the knuckles.) Work another 3(4) rounds even, ending 6(7) sts before end of round. (At this point it is a good idea to try the glove on to check for fit and desired length before beginning fingers). Fingers and Thumb 1st Finger Place all sts except the last 6(7) sts of the round and first 6(7) sts of the round on waste yarn or stitch holder. (The 12(14) working sts will be used to work the finger. Sts held on waste yarn will be picked up gradually to work the remaining three fingers.) Arrange the 12(14) sts evenly across needles for working in the round. K 12(14), then turn, C0 3 new sts, turn again and join to complete the round. (15(17) sts for 1st Finger). Knit 4(6) rounds even. (Note on picking up sts for fingers: To avoid gaps at the base of fingers, pick up 1-3 MORE sts than indicated, then immediately decrease these sts on the 1st or 2nd round of the finger.) Next round: K1tbl, p1 to end of round. Work 3 more rounds in ribbing. BO all sts in rib. 2nd Finger Pick up 5 sts (from those held on waste yarn) from front of hand, c0 3 new sts, pick up 5 sts (from those held on waste yarn on other end) from back of hand, pick up 3 new sts at base of 1st finger. 16 sts. Knit 5(6) rounds even. Next round: K1tbl, p1 to end. Work 3 more rounds in ribbing. BO all sts in rib. 3rd Finger Work as for 2nd Finger. 4th Finger/Pinky Finger Pick up remaining 8(12) sts held on waste yarn. Pick up 4(3) new sts at base of 3rd finger. 12(15) sts. Knit 1 round. On next round, k all sts AND decrease O(1) st. 12(14) sts rem. Knit 2 more rounds. Next round: K1tbl, p1 to end. Work 3 more rounds in ribbing. BO all sts in rib.
Thumb
Pick up 16(18) sts held on waste yarn, then pick up 4 new sts at cast-on edge of thumb gap. 20(22) sts total for thumb. Beg of round is in the middle of the 6 new sts - PM to note beg of round. Work first 4 rounds as follows: Round 1: K2, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, ssk, k2. Round 2: k all sts. Round 3: k2, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, ssk, k2. Round 4: k all sts. 16(14) sts rem for thumb. Continue to knit all sts, until thumb measures 1/2 inch less than desired length. (Modification for‘podster'thumb included at end of pattern.) First Fingertip decrease round: K1, k2tog; repeat to end of round. Next round: Knit all sts. Second Fingertip decrease round: k2tog; repeat to endofround. Cut yarn; with tapestry needle, thread all remaining sts onto needle and draw closed. Sew shut. (At this point I recommend pausing to weave in all ends accumulated thus far, before proceeding. You don't technically need to yet, but it may save you a bit of annoyance.)
Mitten Top
On new needle, C0 21(25) sts. K1tbl, p1 to last st, ktbl. Continue by knitting the 21(24) sts marked with waste yarn on back of hand, join to work in the round. 42(49) sts total for Mitten Top. Round begins at side. Next round: Continue to work first 21(25) sts in rib, K all rem sts. Repeat this round 4 more times. Next round: K all sts, AND decrease O(1) st on palm section, above ribbing. 42(48) sts. PM at beg of round and at side - 21(24) for top of hand and palm. Continue to k all sts on all rounds, until Mitten Top measures 2.25(2.5) ins from beg, OR until Mitten Top measures 1.5(1.75) ins less than desired length. Decrease round: K1, ssk, K to 3 sts before marker, k2tog, k1. Slip marker. K1, ssk, K to 3 sts before marker, k2tog, k1. Next round: K all sts. Repeat these last 2 rounds a total of 6(7) times. 18(20) sts rem. Use kitchener stitch to graft rem sts closed, or BO all sts and graft closed according to your preference.
Right Mitt
(Worked as for the Left Mitt, except that, on the Right Mitt the first half of the sts in the round are worked for the palm of the hand, whereas for the Left Mitt the first half of the sts in the round were worked for the back of the hand.)
Work according to instructions for Left Mitt.
Hand
Work according to instructions for Left Mitt, through the increases and co of new sts for Thumb, being sure to PM for new beg of round in middle of new CO sts, and ending with the instructionsto: Next round: K all sts. Work another 3(4) rounds even. Continue with next round as follows: Knit first 21(24) sts in round. Then, work rem 21(24) sts, and slip the 21(24) sts just worked onto a length of waste yarn, then slip them back onto the smaller needles. (This identifies the sts you will need to pick up later to work the Mitten Top.) Work another 3(4) rounds even, ending 6(7) sts before end of round. Continue by working Fingers, Thumb, and Mitten Top according to instructions given for Left Glove Finishing Weave in all remaining ends.
SUGGESTED MODIFICATIONS
Work Thumb as directed, up to decrease rounds. After Round 4, continue as follows: Round 5: K all sts, stopping 5 sts before end of round. Redistribute sts and marker so that the round now begins here. Round 6 Knit all sts. Round 7-10: Work p1, k1 ribbing over next 9 sts, then k to end of round. Round 11: B0 first 9 sts, K to end of round. Set aside. On a separate needle (in smaller size), cO 9 sts. Work flat in p1, k1 ribbing for 4 rows. Round 12: Join this new piece to work in the round, overgapcreatedbyBOsts.Work intheround until thumb length measures 3%4 ins less than desired length. Work final fingertip decreases as indicted above for thumb. Sew edge of joined sts flat, so that the ribbed edge covers the ribbing on inside of thumb.
Plain Mittens
To work the entire piece as a regular mitten instead of a flip top glove, omit the steps for working the fingers and continue after separation of Thumb sts by knitting all rows even, stopping when piece measures 1.5(1.75) ins less than desired length. Then, work Mitten Top decreases as noted above.
Plain Gloves
To work regular gloves instead of convertible flip-top gloves, omit instructions for holding sts on waste yarn across back of hand. After fingers are begun, continue each by knitting all sts on each round, until each finger measures 34 ins less than desired finished length. Complete by working Fingertip Decreases consistent with instructions for thumb. (Some modification may be required to fit stitch count of each finger). Omit Mitten Top.
