Harve st Hands
Note./.!!: You do not need to print all of these pages! I made this as a photo tutorial, so it is huge. However the pattern is quite simple. By looking through it, you will easily be able to make these without having to use up a bunch of paper and ink! ^.^
1 skein of hand-painted sock yarn in the colors of your choice. 2.55mm Steel Hook At least one marker, though you may want a couple of them.
Sizing:
The pattern is written as one size, with a little bit of ease. For simple adjustments going larger, I recommend that you use a slightly larger hook. The sample pieces in my tutorial shots are made with two strands of lace weight, and they are more roomy than my other two pairs worked in fingering weight. If you truly need to upsize the mitts, you will need to increase vour foundation chain bv increments of 4 chains (one kernell. n each ch across. Turn the piece, so that you will now be working along the bottom side of the foundation chain. Sl st into the first ch on the bottom side. Ch 3, \*sc in next 3 ch, ch 3,\* repeat across, ending with a sl st in first sc of the top side of the piece. Ch 1, 3 dc in same st. \*sk next 3 sc and work 3dc into the 4th sc\* repeat to the end. You will now be joing the piece for working in the round, as follows: Sk next 6 dc's (two kernels and the space between) e dc into the next space between kernels. PM, this is now your "first" kerne Left Hand h tl piceto your let s to be layered ehind or workin iece on the right N ow t while working the 3rd dc of the most recently worked kernel, you will also insert your hook through the very first dc of the tail piece that now sits behind your work, as thus:
\*Sk 3 dc of kernel and work 3dc into next space.\* repeat around until the second to last space. Work 2dc, and now you will overlap your two ends, as follows:
RightHand: working the 3rd dc of the most recently worked kernel, you will also insert your hook through the very first dc of the tail piece that now sits in front your work, as thus:
W: work 3dc (one kernel) through BOTH overlapped spaces between kernels Now: the first kernel of the second row (I do not count the foundation as a row, you start counting rows with the first kernel where we orginally joined up above, as mentioned) is worked in the space direcly behind the marked first kernel:
is kernel (3 dc in space), it will now be the new first kernel of the second rov
You will now move your marker to that kernel. My apologies, that the picture does not reflect this - I forgot to move the marker before I took it. >.< The begining kernel of each new row, will actually spiral backwards around the mitt as you work. \*Now, after much reflection, I have decided to make this next section a recipe rather than a potion. Actual directions including stitch counts, can really vary because of the constantly backward spiralling row marker. \* So! First, work the cuff until your preferred length. Wow: to find your thumb placement, you will need to lay your mitt out flat, with the overlapped cuff to the outer edge of the wrist. Your thumb gusset will be placed opposite of overlapped cuff, but erring to the palm side just a little. Make a mark or mental note of this space.
When you reach your space for the thumb gusset, you will work:
Round 2:3dc, ch3, 3dc Round 3: 3dc, ch3, 3dc Round 4: 6dc
3 dc, work 3 dc in space after 3rd dc, sk 3 dc, and work next kernel as usue Rounds 6 - 8: work even in kernel pattern.
Round 9(thumb Separation): you ae going skip the 5 kernels over the thumb gusset that you just made, with 3 of those kernels erring to the topside of your mitt, and the other 2 erring to the palm side of your mitt.
Round /O: When you come back around to the point where you skipped over the thumb gusset, you will now work a kernel directly over the gusset, this will be obvious, because it fits right into the normal pattern.
Now you will work as many rounds as you like for your preferred length. I made my three pairs in what I like to call "Continental length" (I can knit and crochet while wearing them), "Biblio-length" (excellently long for curling up with a good book), and "Writer” (short enough to hold a pen, long enough to keep your knuckles warm).
Sl st, ch3, 5dc, now you will remove your hook and insert it through the first dc, and then picking back up your working loop, you will pull it through the first dc:
Repeat this, around the rest of the mitt:
you will work one more popcorn into the "squeezed space" directly behind the first popcorn of the round, like so:
Finish off with a sl st in the same space as the first popcorn, and then ch 1 to close off your work. Cut your yarn, and sew in your tail! ^.^
A Small Tale...
The hunting had been poor. And it had not been a good year for nuts and berries either. Maizuma looked out over the tiny collection of lodges. It was her fear, that they would not make it through the winter. The elders had been going without as much as possible, but the children were still always hungry. Sighing, she started down the hill. Stooping down low, she stepped into her lodge, the cold wind following her as she entered. She sent he1 sons out to collect more branches for the fire, and then she set to the task of preparing the needles that she had collected. They would need to stew for a little while. The resulting tea would not taste good, it would not be filling, but it would be sustaining, and for that she was most greatful. Her youngest child toddled over, and rocking him in her lap, they sang songs as the scent of cedar filled the little dwelling. Before very long her sons returned with more wood, bringing many snowflakes in with them.
\*\*\*\*\*
Maizuma woke to the sound of soft footfalls in the middle of the night. Sitting up, she made sure that the children were still covered. Then she knelt and placed some more branches onto the dying embers. Again she heard the steps outside. Curious, she wrapped her fur blanket around herself and stepped outside. Her eyes soon found the source of the sounds. Looking directly at her was a huge red wolf. It seemed to be the size of a horse. Her breath caught in her throat. The wolf stared intently at her for several more seconds, before turning to walk away. Maizuma felt her breath escape with relief. However after just a few steps, the wolf looked back at her over its shoulder. She froze, but after another moment it turned and continued on. Just then, she felt the child in her womb quicken. She started and her hand jumped to her belly. She looked down with surprise. The babe had been very late in moving. So much so, that she had long since began to fear for its life. She looked up again and saw that the wolf had again stopped. It was now sitting and patiently watching her. The baby stirred again, and instictively, Maizuma took a step forward. The wolf stood up and continued on. She followed. After awhile she perceived a woman kneeling beneath a tree up ahead. As the wolf approached, the woman stood up and welcomed it. It bowed its big red head, as she rubbed it and murmured something in its ear. Then smiling at Maizuma, she stooped and picked up a basket that was at her feet. Taking a few steps forward she held it out towards Maizuma. Maizuma accepted the basket, and looking into it she could see handfuls of large, many-colored seeds. Looking up, she asked the woman what they were for. Were they food? he woman smiled, but she did no speak. Then Maizuma knew, as though the thought had been put lirectly into her head, that when the snows receded her people were to plant all of the seeds in this ret. Maizuma nodded. The woman smiled at her, and placing her hand on her own belly, she motioned with the other for Maizuma to return to her people. Maizuma bowed, and did as she was bid. The huge red wolf followed her all of the way back, she turned to look at it one last time, before she entered her lodge with the precious basket full of colorful seeds. She did not see the wolf turn into a giant stag, but she did hear the loud thud as something huge hit the ground. As she quickly looked back out of her door, she saw the great stag, laying on the snow with a spear protruding from its chest. Startled she looked to her left at the surprised face of a young hunter. Then his face slowly turning to an excited grin, he let out a loud whoop, waking all those around.
\*\*\*\*\*
Maizuma hefted her basket onto her hip. Her young daughter happily gurgled on her back as Maizuma watched the people filling baskets with many ears of colorful corn. With care, the stag had fed the people for more than two moons. The snows receded, and the people planted the beautiful seeds that Maizuma had been gifted. They waited and watched all summer as the plants grew tall. Maizuma bore a baby girl. Soon it became clear that the plants were growing fruit. The people rejoiced. They praised this gift that was so clearly from the great ones. A smile spread on Maizuma's face as she gazed at all of the joyful faces gathering the harvest. Turning around, she headed back to the villiage with her brimming basket. It was then that she saw them. On an adjacent rise, in the light of the setting sun, she saw the woman who had given her the basket of seeds so many months before. Her belly was heavy with child, and by her side was the huge red wolf. Maizuma raised her hand in greeting. The woman smiled. Then she turned away, and the wolf followed.
