Friday, January 3, 2014

Winter Stripped Mittens



Winter Striped Mittens

Materials:
1 skein of cream yarn (contrasting color)
1 skein of gray variegated yarn (main color)
Size 5 circular needles
Stitch markers (2 different colors)
Scrap yarn or stitch holder for thumb gusset
Cable needle
Darning needle
Scissors

Cuffs:
With contrasting color, cast on 42 stitches.  Join to knit in the round
Row 1: K2, P1, K2, P1, repeat to end of the row
Row 2: repeat row 1
Row 3: repeat row 1
Row 4: Cbl1f, p1, repeat to end of the row
Row 5: repeat row 1
Row 6: repeat row 1
Row 7: Cbl1f, p1, repeat to end of the row
Row 8: repeat row 1
Row 9: repeat row 1
Row 10: Cbl1f, p1, repeat to end of the row
Row 11: repeat row 1
Row 12: repeat row 1
Row 13: Cbl1f, p1, repeat to end of the row
Row 14: repeat row 1
Row 15: repeat row 1

Left Mitten:
Cut contrasting color and join main color yarn.  K 15, p1, M1L, k2, M1R p1, place marker, knit to end of the round
Knit two round even, maintaining purled stitches.

Knit 15, p1, M1L, K4, M1R, p1, knit to end of the round
Knit two rounds even, maintaining purled stitches

Change to contrasting color – K15, p1, M1L, k6, M1R p1, knit to end of round
Knit two rounds even.

Change to main color. Continue in pattern knitting 6 rows of main color and three rows of contrasting color until you have 16 stitches from the first purled stitch to the stitch marker. Once 16 stitches are reached, knit two rows even.

With main color knit 15, slip 16 thumb gusset stitches to scrap yarn or stitch holder, cast on 4 stitches using backward loop method.  Knit to the end of the row.  You should have 42 stitches in the round.

Knit even maintaining your color changes.  Once your mitten has reached the bottom of your left pinkie fingernail, get ready to decrease. 

Shape top:
Pick up contrasting color and knit 3 rounds even.  Switch to main color.
Decrease round #1: k4, k2tog across round. 
Knit 1 round
Decrease round #2: k3, k2tog across round.
Knit 1 round
Decrease round #3: k2, k2tog across round.
Knit 1 round
Decrease Round #4: k1, k2tog across round
Knit 1 round
Decrease Round #5: k2tog across round
Cut yarn and draw through all stitches tightly to finish the top of the mitten. 

Thumb:
Slip 16 held stitches to circular needles.  Pick up 4 stitches from the 4 cast on stitches over the thumb gusset.  (20 stitches in the round)

With main color join yarn and knit across the picked up stitches and knit to the end of the round.  On each of the next two rounds k2 tog at the center of the four picked up stitches.  (18 stitches)  (1st round: k1, k2tog, knit to end.  2nd round: k2tog, knit to end)

Knit remaining rows changing colors to match the color changes in the mitten (every 6 rows for main color every 3 rows for contrasting color).  Knit until 1 1/4 “from picked up stitches.

1st decrease round: K1, k2tog around.
Knit 1 round even
2nd decrease round: K2tog around
Cut yarn and draw through remaining stitches


Right Mitten:
Work cuff like left mitten. 

Knit 30 stitches, p1, M1L, k4, M1R, p1, place marker, knit to end of round.
Knit 2 rounds even maintaining purled stitches.

Continue to increase in this way maintaining color changes like mitten 1 until 16 stitches are reached for the thumb gusset.  Knit 2 rounds even.

Knit 30, slip 16 thumb gusset stitches to a piece of waste yarn or stitch holder, cast on 4 stitches using the backward loop method. Knit to the end of the round (42 stitches)


Work remainder of mitten like left mitten.  Break yarn, leaving a tail. Pull through all stitches and tighten.  Weave in ends 

Thumb:
Slip 16 held stitches to circular needles.  Pick up 4 stitches from the 4 cast on stitches over the thumb gusset.  (20 stitches in the round)

With main color join yarn and knit across the picked up stitches and knit to the end of the round.  On each of the next two rounds k2 tog at the center of the four picked up stitches.  (18 stitches)  (1st round: k1, k2tog, knit to end.  2nd round: k2tog, knit to end)

Knit remaining rows changing colors to match the color changes in the mitten (every 6 rows for main color every 3 rows for contrasting color).  Knit until 1 1/4 “from picked up stitches.

1st decrease round: K1, k2tog around.
Knit 1 round even
2nd decrease round: K2tog around
Cut yarn and draw through remaining stitches



Pictures to come soon!