Alberte's mitts by Galadriel
Size: Fit most hands Needle: 3 mm Yarn: Fingering / 4 ply (14 wpi) Gauge: App. 30 sts and 40 rows in 2x1 ribbing. Cast on 42 stitches very loosely on 3mm needles. Divide as desired among needles, and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Place marker to mark beginning of round, if desired, or beginning of round may be between two needles. Round 1: Purl. Round 2: Knit. Round 3: [k2 tog, yo] to end of round. Round 4: Knit. Round 5: Purl. Round 6 and all following rounds of ribbing: [K2, P1] to end of round. Continue in K2, P1 ribbing for 2 - 2 12 inches (5 - 7 cm) or desired length (I knit 40 rnds)
Thumb Gusset
Round 1 (Increase round): Increase one, knit two stitches, increase one, place marker, purl one stitch and knit the rest of the round as established [K2,P1]. The thumb stitches between the markers are to be knit. Rounds 2 & 3: Knit as established. Repeat rounds 1-3 seven more times. (Change to larger needles on round 7). You will have 56 stitches total on the needles, and you will have 16 stitches between the two markers.
Hold Stitches for Thumb: On next round thread a piece of waste yarn onto a yarn needle, and use this to slip the first 16 stitches to waste yarn to hold for thumb. Cast on 2 stitches, i.e. with overhand loop method, onto right-hand needle. K2 from left-hand needle as usual (therefore joining again to knit in the round), and remove second marker. Continue knitting in K2,P1 ribbing in the round for the hand stitches (total of 42 stitches on the needles).
Top of Hand:
Knit in K2, P1 ribbing for 1 cm less than desired length. Then: Round 1: Purl. Round 2: Knit. Round 3: [k2 tog, yo] to end of round. Round 4: Knit. Round 5: Purl. Cast off using Elizabeth Zimmermann's sewn bind-off
Thumb
Replace 16 held stitches onto needles, distributing as evenly as possible. Join yarn and work in stockinette stitches. Pick up and knit 4 stitches across cast on edge above thumb - 20 stitches. Work in stockinette stitches 1"/2.5cm. Cast off using Elizabeth Zimmermann's sewn bind-off Knit another indentical one, weave in ends and enjoy!
