Quo Vadis
BY SPILLYJANE HTTP://SPillYJane.BlOGSPOt.COm
THE MITTENS
SIZE Women's Small - Medium (or any hand that is 6.5 - 7 " in circumference.) GAUGE 6 stitches = 1 inch (2.5 cm) in Stockinette st.
YARN
≥ Approximately 223 yards (100 g) of worsted weight yarn (Main Colour - MC) > Partial skeins of worsted weight yarns in eight (8) different Contrast Colours (CCA, CCB, CCD, CCE, CCF. CCG, CCH, CCI.) The mittens as shown here were made with 1 skein of Patons Classic Wool (223 yds / 100g) in Grey Mix (MC) and assorted partial skeins of Elann Peruvian Highland Wool (109 yds / 50g) whose labels have long since been misplaced. To produce mittens in a similar colour scheme substitute with the following colourways of Cascade Yarns 220 Wool (220 yds / 100 g): 7826 (CCA.) 2410 (CCB.) 8901 (CCD.) 2442 (CCE.) 7827 (CCF.) 9541(CCG.) 7823 (CCH) and 8885 (CCl.) A 15" piece of waste yarn of the same weight in a contrasting colour to hold the thumb stitches is also required.
NEEDLES
One set of five (5) double pointed needles in US 5 (3.75 mm) or size necessary to obtain gauge.
NOTIONS
A stitch marker to mark beginning of round (optional.) and a tapestry needle to weave in ends.
THE PATTERN
CUFF
Using the MC, cast on 42 stitches using the Long Tail Cast On, or any other stretchy cast on. Distribute stitches so that there are eleven (ll) stitches on both Needles 1 and 3 and ten (io) stitches on both Needles 2 and 4. The needles will now be known as Needles 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. Being careful not to twist the stitches, join in the round by moving the first stitch cast on on Needle 1 to Needle 4. Pass the last stitch cast on Needle 4 over this stitch and onto Needle 1. Thus the first and the last stitches have switched places. Prepare to begin to work in the round working the cuff as follows: Round 1: K2 tbl, pl. Repeat across all sts for the entire round. Repeat Round 1 for the next five (5) rounds, for a total of six (6) rounds of ribbing. When ribbing is complete, work all stitches of the following round in Stockinette stitch. Prepare to work body of mitten, working from the Chart.
MITTEN BODY
Work from the Chart, following from right to left. Please note that the chart shows every stitch in every Round. Continue working from Chart until Round 29 where there is a mark denoting thumb placement. Prepare to set aside stitches for the thumb.
Thumb Placement:
> For Left hand mitten: Knit across Needles 1 and Needle 2 and Needle 3. Knit the first two (2) stitches on Needle 4. Using the 15" piece of waste yarn knit the next six (6) stitches on Needle 4. Slip these stitches back onto the left hand needle and continue to knit in pattern. Knit the last two (2) remaining stitches on Needle 4 (10 stitches on Needle 4). >For Right hand mitten: Knit across Needles 1 and Needle 2. Knit the first two (2) stitches on Needle 3. Using the 15" piece of waste yarn knit the next six (6) stitches on Needle 3. Slip these stitches back onto the left hand needle and continue to knit in pattern. Knit the last three (3) stitches on Needle 3 (ll stitches on Needle 3). Knit across all stitches on Needle 4 in pattern. Continue knitting from the Chart until Round 50, where the finger decreases begin. Please note -- The finger decreases can be successfully executed working only from the chart or from the instructions below (or both.)
FINGER DECREASES
Decrease for the fingertips in the following manner: > Needle 1: Slip the first stitch, kl in yarn colour denoted by Chart, pass slipped stitch over, k across all remaining stitches in pattern. >Needle 2: K across all stitches in pattern until two (2) stitches remain. K these two stitches together using yarn colour denoted by Chart. > Needle 3: Slip the first stitch, kl in yarn colour denoted by Chart. pass slipped stitch over, k across all remaining stitches in pattern. ≥Needle 4: K across all stitches in pattern until two (2) stitches remain. K these two stitches together using yarn colour denoted by Chart. Repeat this procedure until 6 stitches remain, working the final Round (Round 57) to the end of Needle 4. Break CC yarn, leaving a long enough tail to be woven in. Break MC yarn, leaving a 10 inch tail. Using a tapestry needle, draw yarn through all 6 stitches. pulling tightly to close top of mitten. Continue to draw yarn to the inside of mitten, and weave in securely. Proceed to pick up for and work thumb. THUMB With MC. pick up 6 sts both above and below the stitches held on the waste yarn for a total of 12 sts, discarding the waste yarn when finished. Divide the sts evenly across 4 needles - 3 sts on each Needle. Begin working thumb at the lower right hand corner of the thumbhole. From here on in, this first needle will be known as Needle 1, with the other needles known as Needles 2. 3 and 4 respectively. Be sure to also pick up 2 sts at either side of the thumbhole - - 1 each at the beginning of Needles 1 and 3. and 1 each at the end of Needles 2 and 4 (16 sts total - 4 sts on each Needle.) Work thumb in plain Stockinette st until piece reaches the tip of the recipient's thumb. When the thumb is the correct length, knit to the end of Needle 4. Prepare to begin to decrease for the thumb as follows: >≥Round 1: K2tog. k4, k2tog, k2tog, k4, k2tog. (12 sts rem.) >Round 2: K2tog. k2. k2tog. k2tog. k2, k2tog. (8 sts rem.) > Round 3: K2tog 4 times, across all sts. (4 sts rem.) Break yarn, leaving a 10 inch tail. Draw yarn through all 4 sts. pulling tightly to close top of thumb. Using a tapestry needle, draw yarn to the inside of thumb, and weave in securely. Proceed to finishing instructions.
FINISHING
Weave in ends. Place mitten beneath a damp tea towel and press with a hot iron to steam block if desired.
