by Andrea Rangel

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.

SIZE
S[M, L]
to fit 7[8, 9] inch hand circumference
see Pattern Notes for fit information

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Hand Circumference: 5.5[6.5, 7.5] inches unstretched
Length: 13 inches

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

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

Ribbing round: P1, [k1, p1] to end.
Work ribbing as set until cuff measures 1.5 inches.

Forearm
Round 1: P1, [sl 1, kfb, k1, psso, p1] to end.

Rounds 2 & 4: P1, [k1, p1] to end.

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.

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.