Podster Gloves
A convertible mitt/glove pattern by Glenna C
Sizing
S(L) To fit hand circumfer ence 6.5-7.25 ins (7.5-8 ins) around; Roughly equivalent to Women's Small(- Women's Large/Men's Small).
Gauge
32 sts and 44 rows over 4 inches, in stockinette stitch on 2.5mm needles (OR needle size required to obtain pattern gauge.)
Materials
Fingering weight ("sock") yarn, 350 yds. Samples shown in: Dream in Color Smooshy [100% superwash merino; 450 yards per 4 oz/1oog skein] Tanis Fiber Arts Purple Label Cashmere sock; [7o% Superwash Merino Wool/20% cashmere/10% nylon; 365m/400 yds per 115g/4 0z skein]) 2.5mm needles OR needle size required to obtain pattern gauge (in double-pointed nee dles or long circular(s), depend ing on preferred method of working in the round.) Tapestry needle Stitch holder or waste yarn Stitch markers
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Pattern
Where instructions differ between sizes, these appear in brackets: S(L).
Right Glove
CO 5o(56) sts. Join to work in the round, dividing sts evenly across needles. PM to mark beginning of round. First round: Kitbl, p1. Repeat to end of round. Repeat this round, continuing to work in ribbing until work measures 3.5 ins from beg, or until work measures desired length of cuff.
Hand
Next round: K all sts, increasing 2(4) sts evenly across the round. 52(6o) sts rem. Work 1(3) rounds even, knitting all sts. Work next four rounds as follows, establishing thumb gusset: Round 1: K first 28(32) sts. Pm, k2, pm.\* K to end of round. Round 2 (increase round): K to first marker, m1, k to last st before marker, m1, k1. K to end of round. Round 3: Work even, working all sts as they appear. Round 4: As Round 3. \*From this point forward, slip all markers when they are encountered. Continue in this manner, working the increase round (as for Round 2) every 3rd round another 4 times, then every 4th round 3(4) times. Work another 2 rounds even. 18(2o) knit sts total between the two markers. (For best results, try on mitt at this point to judge if your thumb gusset has reached a comfortable length.) Next round: work all sts as they appear, up to the second marker only. Place the 18(2o) sts just worked onto a stitch holder or waste yarn. (These sts will be held for the thumb and worked later) K rem sts in round.
Notes
This pattern is for a pair of \*"convertible” mitts, with short glove fingers and a flippable mitten-top that is worked after the hand & fingers of the glove portion have been complet. ed. This type of mitt is very useful for those who want to wear mitts outside in the fall/winter but also want to keep their fingers free for using their phone, iPod, camera, or to wear during cold-weather outdoor athletic activity like running. It is strongly recommended that the knitter have some experience wtih working mittens or gloves before making this pattern. It will be more approachable if the process of constructing a thumb and fingers is already understood. There are many print resources, free patterns, and local workshops which may help you with this. This pattern may also be modified to make plain mittens or gloves. Happy knitting! Next round: K to gap created by thumb gusset. Turn work. CO 4 new sts. Turn work. Join to work in round once again. (You now have 4 new sts over the gap for the thumb). [54(62) sts total] Next round: K all sts. \*\* Work another 7(9) rounds even, OR until mitten reaches across the middle of knuckles along back of hand. (Try on to confirm, if desired.) Next round: work first 27(31) sts - one stitch more than half the sts total in round - then, slip these sts just worked onto a length of waste yarn, then slip them back onto the smaller needles. Glossary of Terms Beg beginning BO bind off CO cast on K2tog knit two sts together (right-leaning decrease) M1 make one (increase w, k st through back loop) P2tog purl two sts together (decrease) PM place marker Rem remaining Ssk slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease slip 2 sts as if to knit, insert LH needle purl wise back through these 2 sts, knit these 2 sts tog) Sts stitches
(This step identifies the sts you will need to pick up later to work the Mitten Top. IF DESIRED, work these sts with a larger needle to loosen the sts, then slip the sts back onto the normal needle size) Work another 4(6) rounds even, OR until desired length before starting fingers. (This is good time to try the mitt on to check for fit and length before beginning fingers.)
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Fingers and Thumb
ist Finger (Pointer finger) K first 19(21) sts in round. Put all sts EXCEPT the next 16(2o) onto waste yarn - 16(2o) sts will be used to work the ist Finger. (Sts held on waste yarn will be picked up gradually to work the remaining three fingers.) Arrange the 16(2o) sts evenly across needles for working in the round. K 16(20), then turn, CO 3 new sts, turn again and join to complete the round. (19(23) sts for ist Finger). Knit 6(8) rounds even. Next round: Kitbl, p1, to last 3 sts. k1tbl, p2tog. Work 3 more rounds in kitbl, p1 ribbing. BO all sts in rib.
Work final fingertip decreases as indicted below for plain thumb. Sew edge of joined sts flat, so that the ribbed edge covers the ribbing on inside of thumb. Plain Thumb: Continue to knit all sts, working until thumb measures % ins less than desired length. Fingertip Round 1: K1, k2tog; repeat to end of round. Round 2: Knit all sts. Round 3: k2tog; repeat to end of round. 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. It makes life easier.)
2nd Finger
Pick up 7(8) sts (from those held on waste yarn) from back of hand, pick up 3 new sts at base of ist finger, pick up 7(8) sts (from those held on waste yarn on other end) from back of hand, CO 3 new sts. 20(22) sts for 2nd Finger. Knit 6(8) rounds even. Next round: Kitbl, p1 to end, working final p1 as p2tog. Work 3 more rounds in ribbing. BO all sts in rib. the middle of the 6 new sts, at centre inside of thumb. Work first 4 rounds as follows: Round 1: K all sts. Round 2: K2, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, ssk, k2. Round 3: k all sts. Round 4: k2, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, ssk, k2. 20(24) sts for thumb. Proceed with plain thumb or podster thumb as follows:
Mitten Top
On new needle, CO 27(31) sts. K1, p1 to last st, k1. Continue by picking up and knitting the 27(30) sts marked with waste yarn on back of hand, join to work in the round. 54(62) sts total for Mitten Top. Round begins at side of hand. Needle 1 holds first 27(31) sts. (Note on picking up sts for fingers: To avoid gaps at the base of fingers, pick up 1-2 MORE sts than indicated, then immediately decrease these sts on the 1st or 2nd round of the finger.) 3rd Finger Work as for 2nd Finger. 4th Finger/Pinky Finger Pick up remaining 10 sts held on waste yarn. Pick up 4 new sts at base of 3rd finger. (14 sts for 4th Finger). Knit 6(8) rounds even. Next round: Kitbl, p1, to last 3 sts, kitbl, p2tog. Work 3 more rounds in ribbing. BO all sts in rib.
Thumb
Pick up 18(2o) sts held on waste yarn, then pick up 6 new sts at cast-on edge of thumb gap. 24(26) sts total for thumb. PM to note beg of round in Podster Thumb (creates‘peek-a-boo' hole for wearer to slip thumb in-andout of glove) Round 5: K all sts, stopping 5 sts before end of round. Redistribute sts and marker so round now begins here. Round 6-8: Knit all sts. Round 9: Work k1, p1 ribbing over next 10 sts, then k to end of round. Rounds 10-13: Work as for round 9. Round 14: BO next 10 sts, K to end of round. Set aside. On a separate needle, CO 10 sts. Work flat in Kitbl, p1 ribbing for 6 rows. Round 15: Join this new piece to work in the round, over gap created by BO sts. Work in the round for 3 more rounds, or until thumb length measures % ins less than desired length. Next round: Continue to work first 27(31) sts in rib, k all rem sts. Repeat this round 4 more times. Next round: K all sts. Continue to k all sts on all rounds, until Mitten Top measures 2.25(2.5) ins from beg, OR until Mitten Top measures 1.25(1.75) ins less than desired length. Decrease round: K1, ssk, K to 3 sts from end of Needle 1, k2tog, k1. K1, ssk, K to 3 sts before end of round, k2tog, k1. Next round: K all sts. Repeat these last 2 rounds a total of 8(10) times; 22 sts rem. Use kitchener stitch to graft rem sts closed, or BO all sts and graft closed according to preferred method.
Left Glove
Worked similarly to the Right Glove, except that the placement of the thumb gusset will be different. Cuff Work according to instructions for Left Glove. Work another 2 rounds even. 18(20) knit sts total between the two markers. Work next round even, working all sts as they appear, up to the second marker only. Place the 18(2o) sts just worked onto a stitch holder or waste yarn. (These sts will be held for the thumb and worked later.) fingers and thumb consistent with instructions for Right Glove. Weave in all rem ends, wash and dry according to yarn fiber content and label instructions. Enjoy your new convertible gloves/ mitts!
Hand
Next round: K all sts, increasing 2(4) sts evenly across the round. 52(6o) sts rem. Work 1(3) rounds even, knitting all sts Work next four rounds as follows, establishing thumb gusset: Round 1: K to 4 sts from end of round. Pm, k2, pm.\* K2. Round 2 (increase round): K to first marker, m1, k to last st before marker, m1, k to end of round. Round 3: Work even, working all sts as they appear. Round 4: As Round 3. \*From this point forward, slip all markers when they are encountered. Continue in this manner, working the increase round (as for Round 2) every 3rd round another 4 times, then every 4th round 3(4) times. K rem sts in round. Next round: K to gap created by thumb gusset. Turn work. CO 4 new sts. Turn work. Join to work in round once again. (You now have 4 new sts over the gap for the thumb). [54(62) sts total] Next round: K all sts. Continue as with Right Glove instructions marked between \*\* \*\*, end of p2.
Fingers and Thumb
ist Finger (Pointer finger) K to 8(1o) sts from end of round. Put all sts EXCEPT the next 16(2o) onto waste yarn - 16(2o) sts will be used to work the ist Finger. (Sts held on waste yarn will be picked up gradually to work the remaining three fingers.) From this point forward, work all
Suggested Modifications
This pattern may be used as the base for plain mittens (omit fingers) or plain gloves (omit mitten top and make fingers longer), as desired. To make gloves, continue all fingers to full desired length - 1/2 inch, then work fingertip decreases as indicated for thumb. To make mittens, continue working mitt hand in the round after thumb (end page 2), until 1.25(1.75) ins before desired length of mitten, then work mitten top as indicated.
