I moved to a rural area last year and instead of getting a car, got a bike. It's been my transportation ever since and I'm completely hooked. I like the idea of high visibility clothing and gear to help keep me safe, but, since I'm usually headed to the grocery store or the bank on my bike, I don't need to look like I'm riding the Tour de France. I'd rather add cute, fashionable accessories that may seem a bit loud, but are flattering and practical.
Spincycle Yarns' color Pussywillow is perfect for these easy fingerless mitts. The variegated yarn works beautifully with the fun, textured stitch pattern, and makes a versatile, wearable mitt.
MATERIALS
Yarn Spincycle Yarns Dyed in the Wool [100% wool; 200yd/183m per 75g skein]; color: Pussywillow; 2 skeins
Recommended needle size [always use a needle
size that gives you the gauge
listed below -- every knitter's
gauge is unique] US #6/4mm needles for small circumferences in the round
Notions yarn
needle
GAUGE
23 sts/34 rounds = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
38 sts/28 rounds = 4 inches in textured pattern stitch
PATTERN NOTES [Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]
Work from the ribbed forearm cuff down to the fingers. Mitts are very stretchy and should be worn with negative ease. Model shown has 7 inch hand circumference, 5.5 inch wrist circumference, and 8.25 inch forearm circumference, and is wearing size S.
DIRECTIONS
Forearm Cuff
CO 53[61, 73] sts. Join for working in the round, being careful not to twist. Note or mark start of round.
Ribbing round: P1, [k1, p1] to end.
Work ribbing as set until cuff measures 1.5 inches.
Round 3: P1, k1, p1, [sl 1, kfb, k1, psso, p1] to last 2 sts, k1, p1.
Repeat Rounds 1-4 12 more times, until piece measures 9 inches from cast on, or to desired length before thumb hole.
Thumb Hole
Work back and forth in rows to create thumb hole as follows: Row 1 [RS]: P1, [sl 1, kfb, k1, psso, p1] to end. Turn.
Rows 2 & 4 [WS]: K1, [p1, k1] to end. Turn.
Row 3 [RS]: P1, k1, p1, [sl 1, kfb, k1, psso, p1] to last 2 sts, k1, p1. Turn.
Repeat Rows 1-4 once more more, then work Rows 1-3 once more. (Thumb hole section measures about 1.75 inches.)
Hand
Rejoin for working in the round, pulling first rejoined stitch tightly to avoid gapping, and work Rnd 4 of forearm pattern.
Continue working as for forearm, repeating rows 1-4 of pattern 4 more times, until mitt measures 13 inches from cast on, or to desired length.
BO all stitches purl wise.
FINISHING
Weave in ends and block.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Andrea Rangel knits, designs, and teaches in Cowichan Bay, Canada. Her designs have been published in Twist Collective, Interweave Knits, Knitscene, Knitty, Clotheshorse, and other publications, as well as independently.
Learn more about her designs and life in the Cowichan Valley at andreaknits.com.
