Knit Gradient Mitts by Lee Meredith - IeethaIｋｎits.com
Knit Gradient Mitts is free, but it is copyright Lee Meredith 2009 - for personal use only, no reprinting/redistributing - thanks! Visit the leethalknits.com faq page or the leethal ravelry group if you have questions or need help.
This pattern was originally published as a tutorial in Craft: magazine, issue 10. If you like this free pattern, consider checking out other leethal patterns - chances are, if you have fun with this one, there are lots more that you'll enjoy! Use bulky yarn in two matching colors to work up these quick and easy ninja mitts! This is a fantastic project for beginner knitters bored with scarves - just don't be scared off by the double pointed needles, which are very easy to use once you get the hang of them. By knitting in the round with DPNs, you only need to know the knit stitch (no purling) and there will be no seams to sew.
You need
30{35, 40} yards / 27{32, 37} meters each of two colors of bulky yarn, or multiple strands of finer yarn held together (2 strands aran, 3 strands worsted, 4 strands DK/sport weight) a set of size US 11 double pointed needles > a tapestry/yarn needle 3 sts per inch / 2.5 cm, in stockinette.
# Sizing
Pattern is for sizes small[medium, large}. Pictured are small and large. Small will fit kids or women with smallish hands, medium is for most women, and large is for most men.
Step 2: Knit up to the thumbhole.
Pattern
Step 1: Cast-on.
Cast on 18{21, 24} stitches around 3 double pointed needles with Color 1 (C1), so there will be 6{7, 8} stitches on each needle (pictured left top - with multiple strands of yarn held together to equal a bulky yarn weight). 2a. Join in a circle and knit 5 rows in the round with C1, then knit one row with the second yarn color (C2). Switch back to C1, with the tail end of C2 over C1 working yarn from left to right, and the working end of C2 over C1 from right to left (pictured left center). Bringing the new yarn underneath and over the old when changing colors prevents holes at the seam. 2b. Following the chart for color changes, knit up to the C2 stripe that includes the thumbhole. Carry the yarn up across the stripes without tension, and bring the new yarn over the old with each change. Knit the first stitch of each new stripe a bit more loosely than the rest to allow for stretch at the seam. (pictured left bottom - how the color change seam should look when turned inside out.)
Knit Gradient Mitts by Lee Meredith - leethalknits.com Step 3: Make the thumbhole. 3a. Knit the first 2 rows of the 5 row C2 stripe normally. On the third row, bind off 4{5, 6} stitches in the center of the first needle for the left-hand mitt, the third needle for the right-hand mitt (pictured left, top). 3b. Knit around to the hole, then cast back on those 4{5, 6} stitches using a single cast-on (also called wrap cast-on or loop cast-on) (pictured left, center). Cast on the thumbhole stitches tightly, since they will become looser when you knit into them. Finish knitting that row, and knit the last row of the C2 stripe normally. Step 4: Finish and repeat. 4a. Finish knitting the mitt in color pattern up to the top, then bind off (pictured left, bottom). Bind off not too tightly, but also not too loosely to prevent Curling. 4b. Tie off and weave in the ends. 4c. Repeat all steps for the second mitt.
LeethaI Knits patterns!
If you liked this pattern, be sure to check out other patterns by Lee Meredith, many of which are for any gauge and/or super versatile, or for bulky yarns like this one is. See them all on leethalknits.com, or queue them on ravelry! Here are a few you might like...
< Either/Or mitts can be made in any weight yarn, fingerless or full mittens from the thumbs out Ten 10 yard Cuffs are a fun way to learn new techniques and use up yarn leftovers > < Robin is a stripy shawl in 2 or 3 colors, in any weight & size
Skoodlet is an any-gauge hood with a buttoning scarflet < Twisted Ankles is a bulky pair of legwarmers with button closures and cables
Flippable is a cowl in a very beginner-friendly reversible stitch pattern that looks much harder than it really is > < Shapeshifter is a simple pattern for any weight yarn which can be worn tons of different ways
Maurice is a stripy cowl in several different styles and sizes >
