KnittingGuides.com: Though the temperatures soar or drop, these mittens serve the purpose of protecting your hands from harsh climatic conditions. The incredibly soft stockinette fabric is gentle on the hands and feels very comfortable making it perfect for winter wear apparel so why not go ahead and knit yourself some long mittens.
Step 1: Materials
- 1 skein of Purl Soho’s Line Weight, 100% merino wool. Here the color Ballet Pink is used.
- A set of US #2 double pointed needles
- A set of US #4 double pointed needles
- 2 stitch markers A stitch holder or scrap yarn
- Gauge – 8 1/2 stitches = 1 inch in stockinette stitch, using smaller needles
Step 2: Size
Small/Medium (Medium/Large)
- Circumference around palm: 6 1/2 (7 1/2) inches, stretching to 7 1/4 (8 1/4) inches
- Length from cuff to mitten top: 17 (17 3/4) with adjustments given in the pattern
Step 3: Rolled Cuff
With the larger needles, cast on 54 (62) stitches, distribute them onto three double pointed needles. Place the marker and join for working in the round, being careful to not twist the stitches. Knit one round. Change to smaller needles; work in stockinette stitch, knitting each round, until piece measures 10 inches from rolled edge.
Step 4: Thumb Gusset
Round 1: K27 (31), place marker (pm), make 1 left (m1L), k1, make 1 right (m1R), pm, knit to end of round. [56 (64) stitches]. Round 2: Knit. Round 3: Knit to marker, slip marker, m1L, knit to next marker, m1R, slip marker, knit to end of round. (2 stitches increased). Rounds 4 and 5: Knit. Repeat Rounds 3-5 seven (eight) more times. [72 (82) stitches total; 19 (21) stitches between the markers]. Next Round: Knit to first marker, remove marker, slip next 19 (21) stitches onto a stitch holder or scrap yarn, remove next marker then, with the wrong side facing you, cable cast on 3 stitches now, with the right side facing you, join to left side of Thumb Gusset and continue to knit to the end of the round. [56 (64) stitches]
Step 5: Knit Hand
Knit until piece measures 3 3/4 (4) inches from the base of the thumb (where you cable cast on stitches) or until 3/4 (1) inch from desired finished length.
Step 6: Mitten Top
Set Up Round: K28 (32), pm, knit to end. Round 1: *K1, k2tog, knit to two before next marker, ssk, repeat from * to end of round. (4 stitches decreased). Round 2: Knit. Repeat Rounds 1-2 zero (two) more times. [52 (52) stitches]. Repeat Round 1 two more times. [44 (44) stitches]. Next Round: *K1, k2tog, k3, ssk, k7, k2tog, k3, ssk, repeat from * to end of round. [36 (36) stitches]. Next Round: Repeat Round 1. [32 (32) stitches]. Next Round: *K1, k2tog, k2, ssk, k3, k2tog, k2, ssk, repeat from * to end of round. [24 (24) stitches]. Next Round: *K1, k2tog, k1, ssk, k1, k2tog, k1, ssk, repeat from * to end of round. [16 (16) stitches]. Next Round: Repeat Round 1. [12 (12) stitches]. Cut yarn and thread it through the remaining stitches.
Step 7: Thumb
Slip the 19 (21) stitches that are on hold onto two double pointed needles. Hold the mitten so that the gusset is on the left; join yarn leaving a 10-inch tail. Knit 8 stitches from the front needle. With another double pointed needle, knit the remaining stitches from that front needle and then knit from the back needle until there are 8 stitches on the working needle. With yet another double pointed needle, knit the remaining stitches from that back needle and then pick up 3 stitches from the base of the thumb. [22 (24) stitches] Place marker and join for working in the round. Work in stockinette stitch until piece measures 2 inches from the base of the thumb or until 1/8 inch from desired finished length.
And your pretty sober looking mittens are ready to use.
Photo credits & source: purlbee.com