Women's Flip-top Mittens
in Rowan Felted Tweed by Jessica Kaufman for the Knitting Sisters, Williamsburg VA Size: Women's med (approximately 7.5/ around hand). Materials needed: Two balls of Rowan Felted Tweed For magic loop method, use a US 0 40" circular needle, or the needle size YOU need to get the gauge 29 st = 4" (7.25 sts/inch). Take time to knit a swatch! tapestry needle short length of waste yarn For each hand, follow directions on pgs 1-2. Cuff: C0 54 sts and join to knit in the rnd, being sure not to twist. K1P1 for approx. 2.5". K 6 rnds plain.
Begin increasing for thumb gusset using Jessica's Favorite Method:
(note: the increases will always take place at the beginning of the same needle, which will become obvious as you knit your way up the gusset. The other needle, without the increases, will remain the same. See picture of the gusset on pg. 2.) Rnd 1: K1fb, k1, k1fb, finish round. Rnd 2 and all even rounds: k plain.
Rnd 3: k1fb, k3, k1fb. Finish round. Rnd 5: k1fb, k5, k1fb. Finish round. Rnd 7: k1fb, k7, k1fb. Finish round. (See what we're doing here? You'll always know where the first increase is, because it's at the beginning of the needle and it never goes anywhere. Do the increase, then knit the number called for—which handily corresponds to the number round you are on—and do your second increase. This makes a tidy triangular thumb gusset which I find to be beautifully anatomical. Keep going in this fashion until you get to...) Rnd 25: k1fb, k25, k1fb Rnd 26: knit plain.
Hold stitches for thumb:
Using tapestry needle, slip 26 sts for thumb onto waste yarn (this is everything inside the increase “bumps," not including the bumps). This leaves 54 sts on the needles, and you now have a giant gap between the needles. To help the gap close, tie the ends of the waste yarn together in a bow to simulate the thumb hole opening. Using the backwards loop method, C0 4 sts over the gap. You should now have 26 sts on thumb and 58 sts on needles.
Hand:
Knit 18 rnds or approx. 1.5". Evenly dec 4 sts over next round (54 sts total). Change to k1p1 and rib for 7 rnds or approx 0.5". Cast off in ribbing.
Thumb tip:
Slip 26 held sts to needle, and pick up 4 sts from the small cast on edge. Knit 3 rnds. Rnd 4: evenly dec 4 sts (26 on needles) Rnd 5: knit plain. Rnd 6: evenly dec 4 sts (22 on needles) Continue until knitting is up to the middle of thumb nail. Decrease round: \*k2tog, k1\*, repeat across round. (14 sts remain) Knit 1 rnd plain, then cinch closed by breaking yarn (leave 6"), threading yarn on tapestry needle and slipping sts onto needle. Go through each st, then go through once more, and pull tight. Weave in ends and block.
Finger cap:
CO 60 sts. K1p1 for 7 rnd (approx 0.5"). Change to st st and knit 2.25", or until you've reached the last knuckle on your pinky (try on the cap to judge the length). Make sure there are 30 sts on each needle, and begin decs as follows: On 1st needle: k1, k2togtbl, knit to 3 before end of needle, k2tog, k1. Do the same on the second needle. This is one dec rnd. Knit 1 plain round and one dec rnd until there are 20 sts on each needle. Begin to omit plain rnds, decreasing every round, until 10 sts remain. Graft together. Weave in ends. Block and attach to back of hand using project yarn and a tapestry needle (any simple sewing stitch will do—I used whip stitch).
\*Photocopying this pattern is not permitted, unless it is for the buyer's own use, and as long as both pages and author's name are included.
