Basic Worsted-Weight Mittens for Magic Loop

By Liat Gat of KNITFreedom.com Photography by Camilla Emond of Twist and Twine Yarn

Untangling the Ball, LLC 2012. All rights reserved.

Basic Worsted-Weight Mittens for Magic Loop

By Liat Gat of KNITFreedom.com

Learn How To Knit Mittens By Following Along With 24 KNITFreedom Videos Click Here To Learn More
Materials Yarn: 2.3 oz (65 g)/140 yards (128 m) of worsted-weight (10-ply)/9-WPI wool (shown: Rowan Lima in 891 La Paz). Needles: US size 7 (4.5 mm) 47-inch (120 cm) circular needles (or whatever size you need to achieve the correct gauge). Notions: Scrap yarn, 4 removable stitch markers, tapestry needle. Gauge: 5 sts/in in Stockinette stitch. Finished Measurements: Fits a hand 7 (8, 8 ) inches [19.5 (20, 21.5) cm] around the hand at its widest point; 6 (7 , 7) inches [17 (18.5, 19.5) cm] long from base of hand to tip of middle finger. Abbreviations/Terms: (all links go to KNITFreedom videos) BOR: beginning of round. K even: knit even (knit every stitch) PM: place marker SM: slip marker to right-hand needle WPI: wraps per inch wyif: with yarn in front 1x1 rib: *(K1, p1), rep from * around. Pattern Notes: These mittens are worked in the round from cuff to fingers. This pattern is compatible with magic loop and two-at-a-time techniques. The Italian cast-on (an optional cast-on described below) might be difficult to do two-at-a-time. I haven't tried it, so you're on your own! CO: cast on K: knit P: purl M1L: make 1 left (M1) SSK: slip, slip, knit K2tog: knit 2 together S2KP: slip 2 knit pass

Untangling the Ball, LLC 2012. All rights reserved.

If needed, number of stitches on each needle-tip will be specified at the end of decrease rounds as follows: (number on first needle:number on second needle, eg 14:14). I recommend that you highlight or circle the numbers that correspond with your size to avoid confusion. This pattern makes one left and one right mitten. The thumb on each mitten is offset by 3 stitches towards the palm in order to make a perfect fit. Be aware of this, especially if you are going to add a fair-isle design to the back or palm of the mitten. Instructions: Optional - Invisible ribbed cast-on: Using the Italian cast-on, CO 26(28,30) sts. Do not join for working in the round (yet). Rows 1 and 2: (K1, wyif sl 1) across. Or, just CO 26(28,30) using the long-tail cast-on. Divide sts as follows for working in the round on Magic Loop: 12:14 (14:14, 14:16). Work in 1x1 rib for 14 rnds. Next round: K even. Next round: (K4, M1L) three times, k6, (M1L, k4) twice, M1L, k0(2,4) 6 sts increased: 32 (34, 36) sts on needles, divided like this: 15:17 (16:18,17:19). Next: K 7 rounds even. Thumb gusset: Directions apply to both mittens unless specified. Round 1: Mitten 1 (right mitten): K3, PM, M1L, k1, M1L, PM, k to end [34(36,38) sts]. Mitten 2 (left mitten): K until 4 sts remain, PM, M1L, k1, M1L, PM, k 3 rem sts [34 (36,38) sts]. Round 2: K 1 round even. Round 3: K to marker, SM, M1L, k to next marker, M1L, SM, k to end [36(38,40) sts]. Repeat rounds 2-3 until you have 44(46,48) sts on needles and 13 sts between markers. You will have done 5 increase rounds total (here's how to count your increases).
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Knit 9 rounds even. Remove sts for thumb (watch a KNITFreedom video on how to do the thumb): All sizes: K to marker, remove marker, slip next 10 sts onto waste yarn, k to end, removing second marker when you come to it. 34(36,38) sts remain on needles, divided as follows: 17:17(18:18,19:19). Tie ends of waste yarn together (do not pull the thumb sts so tight that you can't get your thumb through to try on the mitten later). Hand: K even for 20(24,28) rnds (you can place a marker in a st on the 1st row to help you count your rows) or until work covers the tip of your pinkie finger . Begin decreasing for the hand as follows: First decrease round: (k1, SSK, k to last 3 sts on needle, k2tog, k1) twice [30(32,34) sts]. K 3 rounds even. Repeat first decrease round [26(28,30) sts]. K 2 rounds even. Next round: Sizes S, L ONLY: (K1, SSK, k2, SSK, k to last 3 sts on needle, K2tog, k1) twice [20(24) sts] (note: 6 sts decreased). Next round: Size M ONLY: (K1, SSK, k3, S2KP, k2, K2tog, k1), twice (20 sts) ( note: 8 sts decreased). All sizes: K 1 round even. Repeat first decrease round [16(16,20)] sts]. K 1 round even. Repeat first decrease round [12(12,16) sts remain]. Cut yarn, leaving a 12-inch tail. Thread yarn onto tapestry needle and thread TWICE through remaining stitches, removing the needles at the end. Pull yarn tight.

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Thumb (watch a KNITFreedom video on how to do the thumb): Place 10 thumb sts onto circular needle and divide for knitting in the round on magic loop. Join yarn and pick up and knit 8 sts along inside of thumb (18 sts on needles). PM for BOR. Next round: K6(10,14), (k2tog) to end of round [12(14,16) sts remain]. K 13(15,17) rounds even, or until thumb sts just cover tip of thumb. Next round: (K2tog) around. Cut yarn, leaving a 12-inch tail. Thread yarn onto tapestry needle and thread TWICE through remaining stitches, removing the needles at the end. Pull yarn tight. Finishing: Using a tapestry needle, weave in all ends. Wear and be fabulous!

About the Designer Liat Gat is a knitting teacher who gets immense satisfaction from helping people knit faster and more confidently. Read more here. Pattern Support If you have any questions about this pattern, I am here to help you! Please post your question in a new thread in the KNITFreedom Forum. Typos and errata Please report any typos or other mistakes that you've found in this pattern so that I can fix them. Thanks! Errata: http://knitfreedom.com/help/errata/worsted-mittens Links: How to do the Italian cast-on: http://knitfreedom.com/knitting-videos#italian-cast-on How to do a mitten thumb: http://knitfreedom.com/knitting-videos#mitten-thumb KNITFreedom step-by-step video class on how to knit mittens: http://knitfreedom.com/classes/how-to-knit-mittens

Untangling the Ball, LLC 2012. All rights reserved.