Peekaboo Mittens
by Megan at Pensive Frog
(Originally published in the February 2007 issue of Magknits)
I designed these mittens as an alternative to conventional convertible mittens, which can be dificult to operate while juggling your car keys, latte, and umbrella! Convertible mittens generally require both hands to switch between "fingers out" and "fingers in" modes - this version isn't nearly as fussy. These mittens are worked in the round, with a thumb gusset for comfort. The "peekaboo" finger opening is a wide buttonhole edged with $2\up x2$ ribbing,which prevents the opening from gaping and letting in icy winter breezes. A simple bend of the fingers is all it takes to free your phalanges, and it's just as easy to duck those digits back inside. These mittens probably aren't the best for snowballfights or marching with penguins, but they're plenty warm for most wintry applications. This patterm is written in two gauges, and can be used with a variety of yarns. The fuzzy mohair in Lamb's Pride Worsted adds a little extra warmth.
Difficulty level
Intermediate Peekaboo Mittens $\circledcirc$ 2007 Megan at Pensive Frog http://www.pensivefrog.com
Sizes
Finished circumference approx. $8"$ $\,\!^{20}\,\mathrm{cm}]$ Length approx. 9.5" $\left[24\,{\mathrm{cm}}\right]$ These mittens have been knit hundreds of times, and many knitters have found they need to add or subtract a few stitches and/or rows here and there to achieve optimal fit. All hands are different, and I've intentionally written this pattern to be easily modifiable to fit almost anyone. So please try these mittens on frequently as you make them!
Materials
Larger gauge version: 1 skein Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Worsted $85\%$ wool, $\tt{15\%}$ mohair; 190 yd $\left[173\,\mathrm{m}\right]$ per 113 g), shown in #M191 Kiwi and #M52 Spruce. 1 skein makes 3 mittens (in case you lose one!) Set of 5 US 7 $[4.5\;\mathrm{mm}]$ double pointed needles Smaller gauge version: 2 skeins Jo Sharp DK Wool( $\mathrm{\textmu}^{100\%}$ wool; 107 yd $\left[98\,\mathrm{m}\right]$ per $50\,\mathrm{g})$ ,shown in #906 Orchard. Set of 5 US 4 $[3.5\;\mathrm{mm}]$ double-pointed needles. Tapestry needle Waste yarn or stitch holder
Gauge
Larger gauge version: 16 sts and $24\;\mathrm{rows}=4"\;[10\;\mathrm{cm}]$ in stockinette Smaller gauge version: 20 sts and $28\;\mathrm{rows}=4"\;[10\;\mathrm{cm}]$ in stockinette
Pattern
Instructions are written for larger gauge version with smaller gauge version in parentheses.
Right mitten
Cuff: CO 40 (48),join for working in the round. Pm to mark beg of rnd. Work in your choice of k1, p1 or k2, p2 rib for $2"$ $\left[5\thinspace\mathrm{cm}\right]$ (about 15 [18] rnds), or desired cuff length. Change to stockinette and work $0.5^{\mathfrak{n}}\;[1\;\mathsf{c m}]$ (about 3 [4] rnds).
Thumb gusset:
K18 (22), pm, k4, m1, pm, k to end of rnd. $\mathrm{K}\,1\,\mathrm{rnd}$ Inc rnd: Work to second gusset marker, m1, slip marker, work to end. $\mathrm{K}\,1\,\mathrm{rnd}$ Repeat last 2 rnds 3 (5) times more--9 (11) sts between gusset markers. Next rnd: Work to first gusset marker, transfer 9 (11) gusset sts to stitch holder or waste yarn (removing gusset markers), use backward loop method to CO 4 sts over the gap, k to end of rnd.
Base of hand:
Work even for 1" $[2.5\,\mathrm{cm}]$ (about 6 (8) mds),to about $0.5^{\mathfrak{n}}\;[1\;\mathsf{c m}]$ below top of palm. On last rnd, place finger markers as follows: K 24 (27), pm, k12 (16), pm, k to end.
Finger opening:
Next rnd: Kto first finger marker,sl finger marker, pl, (k2, p2) to 3 sts before second finger marker, k2, p1. K to end. Repeat last rnd 3 (4) times more. Next rnd: K to first finger marker, remove marker. BO 12 (16) sts in rib pattern, removing second finger marker. K to end. Next rnd: Kto beg of finger opening, pm. CO 12 (16) over finger opening, pm. K to end. Next rnd: Kto first finger marker, sl marker, p1, (k2, p2) to 3 sts before second finger marker, k2, p1. K to end. Repeat last rnd 3 (4) times more.
Mitten top:
Work 1" $\left[2.5\;\mathrm{cm}\right]$ even (about 6 [8] rows), removing finger markers in process. Distribute sts evenly on 4 needles. Dec rnd: Needl 1: K1, ssk, kto end; needle 2:kto 3sts before end, k2tog, k1; needle 3: k1, ssk, k to end; needle 4: k to 3 sts before end, k2tog, k1. Repeat last rnd 5 (6) times more-16 (20) sts rem. Break yarn, leaving $18"$ $[46\,\mathrm{cm}]$ tail. Slip needle 1 sts onto needle 2, needle 3 sts onto needle 4-- 8 (10) sts per needle. Graft top with kitchener st.
Thumb:
Transfer 9 (11) gusset sts to needles. Rejoin yarn at gap between hand and thumb gusset, pick up and knit 4 sts in base of 4 cast-on sts. Distribute 13 (15) sts evenly on needles and join for working in the round. Work even until thumb is about $0.5^{\mathfrak{n}}\;[1\;\mathsf{c m}]$ short of desired length. For larger gauge version only: Dec rnd: (K1, k2tog) around--9 sts. Dec rnd: (K2tog, k1) around--6 sts. Break yarn, leaving $8"$ $[20\;\mathrm{cm}]$ tail. Draw yarn through 6 rem sts and pull tight. For smaller gauge version only: Dec rnd: (K1, k2tog) around--10 sts. Dec rnd: K1, (k2tog, k1) around--7 sts. Break yarn, leaving $8"$ $[20\;\mathrm{cm}]$ tail. Draw yarn through 7 rem sts and pull tight.
Left mitten
Work cuff as for right mitten.
Thumb gusset:
K18 (22), pm, ml, k4, pm, k to end of rnd. K 1 rnd. Inc rnd: Work to first gusset marker, sl marker, m1, work to end. K 1 rnd. Repeat last 2 rnds 3 (5) times more--9 (11) sts between gusset markers. Next rnd: Work to first gusset marker, transfer 9 (11) gusset sts to stitch holder or waste yarn (removing gusset markers), use backward loop method to CO 4 sts over the gap, k to end of rnd.
Base of hand:
Work as for right mitten, but place markers on last row as follows: K4 (5), pm, k12 (16), pm, k to end of row. Work finger opening, mitten top, and thumb as for right mitten.
Finishing
Weave in ends. Block if desired.
About the designer
Megan lives in Seattle, WA, a veritable hotbed of knitting activity. When she's not knitting. Megan can be found baking, TiVoing, reading, or doing public health research. But she's usually knitting. The shameful details can all be found on her blog (www.pensivefrog.com). E-mail Megan at pensivefrog (at) gmail [dot] com, or find pensivefrog on ravelry.com.
