I love knitting for the men in my life (big and small) and these
were a lot of fun to create with my fashionable beau in mind.
Tough-looking Garter Stitch cuffs and rustic metal buttons compliment
the structured columns of these convertible fingerless mitts
nicely; but my favorite feature of these mittens is the
seemingly seamless thumb gusset, with hidden increases nestled
in the bold rib pattern.
Work these in a high-definition heavy worsted weight yarn to create a strong,
dense and virtually impenetrable fabric that will stand up to even the
most grueling outdoor chores of this chilly winter season.
These mittens are designed to fit very snug and they are worked in a stretchy
rib pattern that will conform to most average adult hand sizes, both men
and women.
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS Palm circumference: 7[8.5] inches Hand length: adjustable to fit.
MATERIALS
Yarn Blue
Sky Alpacas Worsted Hand Dyes [50%
Alpaca/50% Merino Wool; 100 yd/91
m per 100g skein]; Chocolate; 2 skeins
Recommended needle size [always use a needle
size that gives you the gauge
listed below -- every knitter's
gauge is unique] 1
set US #8/5mm double-point needles OR 1 long US #8/5mm circular needle for magic loop OR 2 US #8/5mm circular needles for 2 circulars method
Notions Stitch
markers Four approx 5/8-inch buttons or toggles yarn needle sized to fit through buttonholes Size H-8/5mm crochet hook Stitch markers Scrap yarn
GAUGE
18 sts/24 rounds = 4 inches
in [K2, p4] rib (after blocking)
16 sts/24 rounds = 4 inches in stockinette
PATTERN NOTES [Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]
Garter Stitch Worked In The Round Round 1: Knit. Round 2: Purl.
Backwards Loop Cast-on
Instructions for the Backward Loop Cast
On can be found here.
Crochet Chain
Instructions for working a crochet chain
can be found here.
DIRECTIONS
Using long-tail
cast-on, CO 30[36] sts. Distribute sts as you prefer
and join for working in the round.
Work in Garter Stitch until work measures 4 inches from cast-on
edge, ending with a knit rnd.
Establish rib pattern: Size Medium: P2, k2, [p4, k2] to last
2 sts, p2.
Size L: K1, P4, [k2, p4] to last st,
k1.
Work 5 more rounds as established in rib patt.
Place markers for thumb: Size
Medium, Right Mitten: P2, [k2, p4] three times, k1, pm, k1,
p4, pm, cont in established rib patt
to end of rnd.
Size Medium, Left Mitten:
P2, k1, pm, k1, p4, pm, cont in established
rib patt to end of rnd.
Size Large, Right Mitten: K1, P4, [k2, p4] three times, k1, pm,
k1, p4, pm, cont in est rib patt to
end of rnd.
Size Large, Left Mitten: K1,
P4, k1, pm, k1, p4, pm, cont in established
rib patt to end of rnd.
Thumb increases: Increase rnd: Work in est
rib patt to first marker, sm, kfb,
p to 1 st before next marker, pfb,
sm, cont in est rib patt to end of
rnd. 2 sts increased. Rnds 2-4: Work in est rib
patt to first marker, sm, k1, p to
next marker, sm, cont in est rib patt
to end of rnd.
Rep rnds 1-4 five times more. 42[48] sts.
Next rnd: Work in est rib patt to first marker, remove
marker, k1, p2, slip next 12 sts on scrap
yarn for thumb, p2, remove marker, work in est rib patt to end
of rnd. 30[36]
sts. Pull yarn tight over gap to close it up.
Work 3 rnds in est rib patt.
Work 10 rnds in Garter Stitch.
Mitten Top Setup round, size Medium: BO 7 sts, k
until you have 16 sts on the right
needle, BO rest of round. Break
yarn, leaving a 12 inch tail. Setup round, size Large: BO 9 sts, k
until you have 18 sts on the right needle, BO rest of round.
Break yarn, leaving a 12 inch tail.
Rejoin yarn.
With RS facing and using backwards loop
cast on method, CO 7[9] sts, p across 16[18] mitt stitches,
CO 7[9] sts. 30[36] sts.
Distribute sts as you prefer and join to resume working in the
round.
Work 4 rnds in Garter Stitch.
Make centered buttonhole as follows: Next rnd: Yo, k to end of
rnd. 31[37] sts. Next rnd: Slip 1 purlwise,p1,
psso, p to end of rnd. 30[36] sts.
Continue in Garter Stitch until work measures 1.5[2] inches
from cast-on edge or until works reaches tip of pinky finger,
ending with a purl rnd.
Break yarn, leaving an 18-inch tail. With yarn needle, thread
yarn tail through 4[5] sts and pull to close.
Button loop:
Insert crochet hook into last st and chain 4. Attach
end of chain with a slip st at top of mitten, opposite the beg
of chain and fasten off.
THUMB
Return 12 held sts to needles. Distribute across needles
as you prefer and join for working in the round. Round 1: Rejoin yarn, and pick up and knit 0[1] st in
crook of thumb, p12, pick up and knit 0[1] st in crook of thumb. 12[14]
sts. Rounds 2-4: Purl.
Work 8[10] rounds in Garter Stitch, or
until work reaches tip of thumb, ending with a purl rnd. Decrease round: K2tog around. 6[7] sts.
Break yarn, leaving a 12-inch tail. With
yarn needle, thread yarn tail through rem sts. Pull yarn tight
to close top of thumb.
FINISHING
Block.
Sew buttons to the mitts as pictured: one on the back of each
mitt, centered midway between the Garter
Stitch cuff and mitten top along the center
rib; and one on the palm of each mitt,
centered along the Garter Stitch phony
seam near the cast-off edge.
Weave in all ends.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Veronica O’Neil lives with her happy little family, two sexy
cats and two very feisty rescue dogs in
Hollywood, CA.
She
loves to knit, sew, cook, bake and blog
about it here.
