Chilly Podsters
A convertible mitten-glove pattern
by Glenna C
Materials
· Berroco Ultra Alpaca [50% alpaca/50% wool, 215 yds/198 m per 3.5 oz/100g skein], 1(2) skeins OR 200(230) yds worsted-weight or DK-weight wool or wool/alpaca blend, if substituting yarns · 3.25mm/US #3 needles (DPNs or long circular for Magic Loop) OR needle size required for gauge · Tapestry needle · Stitch holder or waste yarn · Stitch markers
Sizing
·S(L) · To fit hand circumference 6.25- 7.0 ins (7.25-8.25 ins) around; Roughly equivalent to Women's Small(Women's Large/Men's Smallj.
Gauge
· 24 sts/32 rows over 4 ins over stockinette stitch in the round, on 3.25mm/US#3 needles, OR needle size required to obtain gauge Note: this is a more snug gauge than normal for worsted weight yarn, to ensure firmfabric and warm mitts
Pattern Where instructions differ in sizes, this will be noted with parentheses: S(L). Right Mitt Cuff CO 40(44) sts. Join to work in the round, dividing sts evenly across needles. Place marker (pm) to mark beginning of round. First round: Work in [k1, p1] OR [k2, p2] ribbing as desired, to end of round. Repeat this round, continuing to work in twisted ribbing until work measures 3[4) ins from beg, OR to desired length of cuff.
Hand
Increase round: K all sts, increasing 2 sts evenly across the round. [40(46) sts rem.] Work 1(2) round(s) even, knitting all sts. Continue in the round while working thumb gusset, as below:
Thumb Gusset (Right Mitt)
Round 1 (setup and increase round): K1, pm, kfb twice, pm, k to end of round. [2 sts inc. 4 sts for gusset, 42[48) sts total] Round 2 (increase round): K1, slip marker (sl m), k1, m1, k2, m1, k1, sl m. K to end of round. [2 sts inc. 6 sts for gusset, 44(50) total] Round 3 and 4: Work even, knitting all sts.
Notes
This pattern is for a pair of "convertible" mitts, with short glove fingers and a flippable mitten-top that is worked after the hand & fingers of the glove portion have been completed. It is recommended that the knitter have some experience with working mittens or gloves. This type of mitt is useful for wearing outside in the fall/winter while also keeping fingers free for using mobile phone, iPod, camera, or during cold-weather outdoor athletic activity. Working in the round is required for this pattern. Double-pointed needles OR Magic Loop method may be used for this pattern, but neither is specified in instructions. Use whichever method you are comfortable with. Round 5 (increase round): K1, sl m, k1, m1, kto 1 st before 2nd marker, m1, k1, sl m, k to end of round. [2 sts inc. 8 sts for gusset, 46(52] total] Round 6 and 7: Work even. Continue in this manner, working the increases as established (as in Rows 5-7) every 3rd round 2(1) more times, then every 4th round 3(4) more times. [16(18) gusset sts between markers, 54(62) stitches total] Work next 2 rounds even. Divide for Thumb Next round: work even up to the second marker only. Slip 16(18) sts between markers onto waste yarn and hold aside. (Will be held for the thumb and thenworkedlater.) K to end of round.
Next round;
K to gap. Turn work. CO 2 new sts. Turn work. Join round once more and k all sts to end of round. (You now have 2 new sts CO over the gap for the thumb). [40(46) stsrem] Work another 4(6) rounds even. Mark sts for Mitten Top Next round: K first 19(22) sts. Before Giussaly ul ieius Beg beginning BO bind off CO cast on K2tog knit two sts together (right-leaning decrease) M1 make one (increase w, k st through back loop) P2tog purl two sts together (decrease) PM place marker Rem remaining Sl m Slip marker (stitch marker) Ssk slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease slip 2 sts as if to knit, insert LH needle purl wise back through these 2 sts, knit these 2 sts tog) Sts stitches Consult reference manuals/online resources for any unfamiliar/new techniques. continuing, thread a piece of thin waste yarn through rem 21(24) sts. (These sts will be picked up later to work the Mitten Top. This line should sit just acrosstheknuckles) Work another 4(6) rounds even. On final round, knit until last 6(7) sts. (Try glove on if desired, to confirm length before beginning fingers). FingersandThumb 1st Finger Place all sts except the last 6 sts of the round and first 6 sts of the round on waste yarn. (The 12 working sts will be used towork thefinger.Stsheld onwaste yarn will bepicked up gradually to work the remaining three fingers.) Arrange 12 sts evenly for working in the round. K 12, turn, C0 3(4) new sts, turn again and join to complete the round. [15(16) sts for 1st Finger]. Knit 4(6) rounds even. (Note: If concerned about gaps between sts at base of fingers, pick up 1-2 MORE sts thanindicated,thenimmediately decreasethesestsonthe1stor2nd round ofthefinger.) Next round: Work in [k1, p1] ribbing or [k2, p2] ribbing to end of round (consistent with cuff ribbing). The [k2, p2] ribbing would end on p1, for smaller size. Work 3 more rounds in ribbing. B0 all sts.
2nd Finger
Pick up 5(6) sts (from those held on waste yarn) from front of hand, c0 3 new sts, pick up 5(6) sts (from those held on waste yarn on other end) from back of hand, pick up 3 new sts at base of 1st finger. [16(18) sts for 2nd Finger] Knit 4(6) rounds even. Work 4 rounds in selected ribbing as for cuff and 1st Finger BO all sts in rib. 3rd Finger Work as for 2nd Finger. 4th Finger/Pinky Finger Pick up remaining 8(10) sts held on waste yarn. Pick up 4 new sts at base of 3rd finger. [12(14) sts for 4th Finger] K 4 rounds even. Work next 4 rounds in selected ribbing as for cuff and 1st Finger. BO all sts in rib.
Thumb
Pick up 16(18) sts held on waste yarn, then pick up 4 new sts at cast-on edge of thumb gap. Beg of round is in the middle of the 4 new sts, pm to mark. [20(22) sts total for thumb.] Work first 4 rounds as follows: Round 1: K1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. Round 2-4: Work even, k all sts. [18(20] sts rem for thumb.] For plain thumb, knit all sts, until thumb measures 1/2 inch less than desired length, then work decrease rounds for thumb indicated in next column, OR work 'podster' thumb as follows, instructions between \*\* \*\*: \*\*Podster Thumb After Round 4 of thumb: Round 5: K all sts, stopping 5 sts before end of round. Redistribute sts and marker so that the round now begins Round 6: Knit all sts. Rounds 7-10: Work [p1, ktbl] ribbing over next 9 sts, then k to end of round Round 11: B0 first 9 sts, K to end of Instructions: On a separate needle, C0 9 sts. Work flat in p1, ktbl ribbing for 4 rows. Round 12: Join new piece to work in the round, over gap created by BO sts. Work even in round for 8(10) more rounds. First thumb decrease round: [K2, k2tog] 4(5), times, k2(0). [14(15) sts rem] Next dec round: [k1, k2tog] 4(5) times. [10 sts rem] Next dec round: K2tog 5 times. [5 sts rem] Cut yarn and sew final sts closed using tapestry needle. For ‘podster' thumb, sew edge of joined sts flat, so that the ribbed edge covers the ribbing on inside of thumb. \*\* Note: Although it is not yet strictly necessary, I recommend pausing to weave in endsatthispoint.Itwill make thefinal portions of the project easier.
Mitten Top
On new needle, C0 21(24) sts. Work in [k1, p1] ribbing or [k2, p2] ribbing, consistent with cuff and fingers (either one ending with k1 for smaller size). Transfer the 21(24) sts marked with waste yarn on back of hand to a working needle, knit and join to work in the round. Round begins at side. [42(48) sts for Mitten Top] Next round: Continue to work first 21(24) sts in ribbing, k all rem sts in round. Repeat this round 4 more times. Next round: K all sts. Repeat this round until Mitten Top measures 1.5(2) ins less than desired length. Mitten top Decrease round: K1, ssk, K to 3 sts before halfway mark in round, k2tog, k2, ssk, K to 3 sts before end of round, k2tog, k1. Next round: K all sts. Repeat these last 2 rounds a total of 6(7) times. [18(20) sts rem.] Use kitchener stitch to graft rem sts closed, or BO all sts and graft closed according to your preference.
Finishing
Using tapestry needle, weave in all remaining ends. If desired, attach velcro or button to back of wrist, to hold down mitten top when worn open. Attach velcro or work a button loop to back of mitten top to match.
Left Mitt
Work as for Right Mitt, but work thumb as indicated:
Thumb Gusset (Left Mitt)
Round 1 (setup and increase round): K to 3 sts from end of round, pm, kfb twice, pm, k1. [2 sts inc. 4 sts for gusset, 42[48) sts total] Round 2 (increase round): K to 1st marker, sl m, k1, m1, k2, m1, k1, sl m. K1. [2 sts inc. 6 sts for gusset, 44(50) total] Round 3 and 4: K all sts. Round 5 (increase round): K to 1st marker, sl m, k1, m1, k to 1 st before 2nd marker, m1, k1, sl m, k1. [2 sts inc. 8 sts for gusset, 46(52) total] Round 6 and Z: Work even. Continue in this manner, working the increases as established (as in Rows 5-7) every 3rd round 2(3) more times, then every 4th round 3 more times. [16(18) gusset sts,54(62) stitches total] Work next 2 rounds even. Divide for Thumb and cast on new sts for hand as indicated for Right Mitt. Mark sts for Mitten Top by threading waste yarn through first 21(24) sts in round. Work Fingers, Thumb, Mitten Top and Finishing according to instructions given for Right Mitt. Glenna C Designs, copyright 2012-2015 | email: crazy.knitting.lady@gmail.com | web: http://glennaknits.com Pattern instructions are for personal use ONLY, not for sale garments.
