District D\*I\*Y Crash Course Fingerless Mittens By Kathleen Lam
This is a quick and simple pattern that will help you practice knitting, purling, and seaming using the mattress stitch. The mittens are easily customizable. Just add or subtract the number of stitches to cast on to adjust the size. To make them longer or shorter, simply knit more or fewer rows. Materials 100 yards of worsted weight yarn 1 pair of size US 8 (5mm) needles 1 yarn needle Stitch marker or safety pin Gauge 4.5 stitches per inch 6 rows per inch Sizes Small (Medium) 7 inches (8 inches) Abbreviations BO = Bind off CO = Cast on K = Knit P = Purl RS = Right side St(s) = Stitch(es) St st= Stockinette stitch WS = Wrong side
Directions
1. CO 32 (36) sts, leaving a 12-inch tail. 2. K 6 rows to make a 1-inch garter stitch border. Place marker at beginning of row. The marker will help keep track of rows knitted and can be moved up in increments as the fabric grows. 3. Work in st st stitch as follows: Odd rows (RS): K to end. · Even rows (WS): P to end. Continue as established until piece measures 5 inches from beginning, ending with WS row (or 30 rows total). 4. K 6 rows to make a 1-inch garter stitch border. 5Rind off all etitchee loavina an Q-inch tail
Finishing
Fold rectangle in half with wrong sides facing and borders at the top and bottom. With longer tail, seam the sides up to 2.5 inches. This is the bottom of the mitten. With shorter tail, seam the sides up to 1.5 inches for the top of the mitten. This should leave a 2-inch gap for the thumb. Weaveinends. 1. Cast on edge
2. Garter stitch border
3. Stockinette stitch body
Techniques
Garter Stitch = knit all rows
Reverse Stockinette = the reverse side of stockinette Each stitch looks like a frown. Smiles connect each stitch.
Stockinette Stitch = knit 1 row, purl 1 row, repeat Each stitch looks like a V.
Mattress Stitch (garter) = insert needle between stitches, under 2 ladders (a smile + one towards the back), going back&forthoneachside
Mattress Stitch (stockinette) = insert needle between stitches (or V's), under 2 ladders, going back & forth on each side
Weaving Ends = with the inside facing, choose a point to start and follow the direction of the stitches, making smiles & frowns
Helpful Resources
How to Knit for Beginners: Illustrated instructions for beginners. Free pdf download from www.knittingdaily.com/Learn-to-Knit-Beginning-Knitting. Knitting Help: Free knitting videos that show you a wide variety of basic-to-intermediate (and some advanced) techniques. Great place to go to learn more or for a refresher. www.knittinghelp.com Ravelry: A social networking site for knitters and crocheters. Contains a database of patterns, yarn, and completed projects uploaded by other users. Sign up for free at www.ravelry.com. TECHknitting: Blog with detailed explanations and original illustrations on all kinds of knitting techniques. http://techknitting.blogspot.com
Local Yarn Shops
Aylin's Woolgatherer 7245 Arlington Blvd Suite 318 Falls Church, VA 22042 www.aylins-wool.com Fibre Space 102 N Fayette St Alexandria, VA 22314 King Street Metro www.fibrespace.com In Stitches Needlework 8800-F Pear Tree Court Alexandria,VA 22309 www.institchesneedlework.com Knit and Stitch = Bliss 4706 Bethesda Avenue Bethesda, MD 20814 Bethesda Metro www.knitandstitch.com The Knitting Loft 1227 Pennsylvania Ave SE Washington, DC 20003 EasternMarket orPotomacAve Metro www.theknittingloftdc.com Looped Yarn Works 1732ConnecticutAveNW#200 Washington, DC 20009 Dupont Circle Metro www.loopedyarnworks.com A Tangled Skein 5200BaltimoreAvenue#101 Hyattsville, MD 20781 www.atangledskein.com Uniquities Yarn Shop 421-D Church Street NE Vienna,VA 22180 www.uniquitiesyarnshop.com Woolwinders Yarn Shop 404 King Farm Blvd Suite 150 Rockville,MD 20850 www.woolwinders.com The Yarn Spot 11406-A Georgia Avenue Wheaton,MD 20902 www.theyarnspot.com
