Two Tone Top Down Mlitts by Molly Tebo
Two Tone Top Down Mitts
by Molly Tebo These nifty mitts were designed with handspun yarn in mind. They are knit from the top down so you can keep going until you run out of yarn. They come in both small and large sizes and use a technique called corrugated ribbing which is a good introduction to colourwork. The stranded knitting makes the mitts very warm and padded. Ideal for cycling in winter! This pattern was designed for the 4 ounce challenge on Ravelry. It includes spinning instructions, but may also be knit from commercial fingering weight (sock) yarn.
Gauge
8 sts (two ribs) and 8.5 rows to the inch measured across corrugated ribbing. Gauge is important. If you knit too tight, they won't fit!
Needles & Notions
· 3mm (US 2.5) 80cm circular needle ·Set of 4 3mm DPNs (for thumb) · 2 stitch markers . Waste yarn for provisional cast on · Darning needle
Techniques used
· Corrugated rib · Provisional cast on (for thumb) .Two at a time on magic loop (if you're brave!)
Note:
I would highly recommend splitting balls of yarn rather than knitting from both ends of two balls That way lies tangle induced madness!
Knitting Instructions
Cast on 52 (56) sts. Place marker and join into the round without twisting. Knit one inch of $2\mathrm{x}2$ (i.e. K2, P2) rib in main colour. Then switch to $2\mathrm{x}2$ corrugated rib with Ks in main colour and Ps in contrast colour. For the second glove, swap the MC and CC. Knit down to thumb crease (try it on for fit). 1 knit 4 inches total. Thumbs are knitted in MC. CC is dropped until the thumb is finished.
Left Thumb
From the start of the round knit 20 (24) sts in pattern. Leaving the glove(s) in progress on the needle(s), use a set of DPNs and waste yarn to provisionally CO 16 sts. Knit 2x2 rib (starting with P) into the 16 sts in main colour (still attached to work). Pick up the next 6 unknit sts and knit in pattern. Join into the round. Work 2x2 rib in MC. On row 4, Knit 14 sts in rib, K2tog, SSK, P2, K2. This should go from 4 consecutive knit stitches to 2 (20 st on needles). The double decrease should sit at the front of the glove.
Right Thumb
From the start of the round knit 26 (30) sts in pattern. Use DPNs and waste yarn to provisionally CO 16 sts. Knit 2x2 rib (starting with K) into the $\mathrm{K=knit}$ $\mathrm{P}=$ purl $\mathbf{M}\mathbf{C}=$ main colour $\mathrm{CC=}$ contrast colour $\mathrm{CO}=\mathrm{cast}$ on $\mathrm{{tbl}=}$ through the back loop $\mathrm{SSK=}$ slip slip knit (decrease 1) $\mathrm{K2tog=}$ knit two together (decrease 1) ${\mathrm{Kfb}}={\mathrm{knit}}$ front and back (increase 1) $\mathrm{P2tog=}$ ourl two together (decrease 1) $\mathrm{YO}=$ yarn over (increase 1)
Tip:
If you are comfortable knitting both Continental and English style, it is quicker to knit continental and purl English. Otherwise, if you find switching between yarns too slow, you can knit the knit sts and slip the purls and reverse this for the following row. Using this technique, $2{\mathrm{~rows}}=1$ row of switching
Tip
After knitting the thumbs, the contrast colour will need to travel across the thumb gap to continue in pattern. To prevent a long float and secure the MC, use the cut end of the MC and a darning needle to firmly stitch down the CC across the underside of the thumb before you continue knitting. 16 sts in main colour (still attached to work). Pick up the next 6 unknit sts and knit in pattern. Join into the round. Work 2x2 rib in MC. On row 4, SSK, Knit 18 sts in rib, K2tog. The double decrease should sit at the front of the glove.
Both Thumbs
Continue in pattern until the thumb is as long as you want (I knit 2 inches) and then cast off tightly in pattern and cut yarn. Undo provisional CO, slip sts onto needles. Rejoin MC yarn to main glove. Pick up two sts in MC beside the thumb and continue working in pattern to the end of the round.
Knit the next round in pattern and pick up a further two sts (in MC) before knitting the thumb sts. Knit thumb in pattern with both MC and CC. This should give you 4 sts in MC on either side of the thumb. Knit the next round in pattern. When you get to these 4 sts, SSK and K2tog. Repeat on the far side of the thumb (4 sts decreased). This closes any gaps that may form. At this point use the chart provided to work thumb gusset decreases. Note that chart only shows thumb gusset, work the rest of each round in corrugated rib pattern. For the left glove, knit 20 (24) sts then begin chart. For the right glove, knit 24 (28) sts then begin chart.
Chart key Knit Purl SSK /K2tog 7 SSK with CC 1 K2tog with CC p2tog tbl p2tog No stitch After decreases, there should be 52 (56) sts to a round.
Continue knitting in corrugated rib until you run out of CC or until mitts are two inches shorter than the required length. Knit two inches of $2\mathrm{x}2$ rib in MC then bind off in pattern. Sew in ends. You may also need to sew up holes on either side of the thumb. No blocking is required. This pattern (and all photographs unless otherwise noted) are $\circledcirc$ 2010MollyTebo. All rights reserved. Please email mollytebo $@$ gmail.com with any questions. Not for unauthorised copy or distribution. I spun these yarns semi-worsted from 2 lots of 2oz Polwarth/tencel tops in the colourway ‘Hades' from Southern Cross Fibre. The tencel gives this yarn its lovely sheen. Choose any two colourways you are partial to. These mitts work especially well with luxe fiber blends containing silk, tencel or bamboo. Be creative! Team 2oz of a crazy multicoloured hand dyed fiber with 2oz of something more subdued.
Tip
If you want your shiny fiber to spin up more smoothly with less fluff, try re-winding your bobbins before plying. Judith MacKenzie McCuin talks about this in her book The Intentional Spinner. It is a subtle effect but it does help. It also makes plying easier!
Usage I used 2.4 oz (68g) total for the handspun gloves. I had 0.8 oz (22.6g) of each colour remaining.
Yarn Stats
My singles were 28 wpi, the 2 ply yarn was 15 wpi (light fingering). Red skein $=165$ yards/151m (pre wash) Brown skein $\begin{array}{r l}{=}&{{}167}\end{array}$ yards/153m (pre wash)
Music for spinning to
One of my favourite CDs to put on while spinning is the EP “The Pool is full of Hats' by Ned Collette. It's got a great beat for treadling to.
