INTRODUCTION

Instant Mash

by Kate Atherley

Editor's note: We're pleased to offer this excerpt from our own Kate Atherley's new book, Knit Mitts: Your Hand-y Guide to Knitting Mittens & Gloves

Bulky mittens are quick to knit, even more so in smaller sizes. These are sized specifically for kids. While all-over cabling creates extra wind proofing and warmth, it also makes for a somewhat stiff and bulky fabric. This is great for kids, but doesn’t really work well for adults, who typically need to use their hands for driving, holding the dog’s leash, or carrying shopping bags.

The stitch pattern is a little funky, as it relies on off setting the cable stitches on alternate rounds. But it’s harder to explain than it is to work—once you cast on, you’ll discover these are a relatively quick and easy project.

SIZE

children's size S[M, L]
shown in size Large

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Hand circumference: 5[5.5, 6] inches/ 12.5[14, 15] cm
Length: 7 inches / 8 cm; adjustable to fit.

MATERIALS

Valley Yarns Berkshire Bulky (85% wool, 15% alpaca; 108 yd [99 m] per 3. Oz [100 g] ball): 1 skein in #47 Capri

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
US #8/5 mm needles for short circumferences in the round

Notions
yarn needle
stitch markers
cable needle
scrap yarn or stitch holders for thumb stitches

GAUGE

16 sts and 20 rounds = 4 inches / 10 cm in stockinette stitch.

PATTERN NOTES

[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]

Choose a size a little larger than actual hand circumference.
Sample used 2.75 oz / 78 g [85 yd / 78 m] of yarn.

C4R: Slip next 2 sts to cable needle and hold in back of work; k2, then k2 from cable needle.
C4L: Slip next 2 sts to cable needle and hold in front of work; k2, then k2 from cable needle.

DIRECTIONS

CUFF
CO 16 (16, 20) sts. Distribute sts across needles as you prefer and join for working in the round.

Setup rnd: [K2, p2] around.

Work ribbing as set for 2[2, 2.5] inches / 5[5, 5.5] cm.

First size only, increase for hand: ([K1, M1] 3 times, k1) 4 times—28 sts.

Second size only, increase for hand: [K1, M1] around—32 sts.

Third size only, increase for hand: ([K1, M1] 4 times, k1) 4 times—36 sts.

Hand
Rnd 1: Knit.

Rnd 2: C4L (see Stitch Guide) around.

Rnds 3–4: Knit.

Gusset
Rnd 1: K2, place marker, knit to end of round—2 gusset sts between start of rnd and marker.

Rnd 2: K2, sm, C4R (see Stitch Guide) around to last 2 sts, k2.

Rnd 3: M1R, knit to marker, M1L, sm, knit to end of rnd—4 gusset sts.

Rnds 4–5: Knit.

Rnd 6: M1R, knit to marker, M1L, sm, k2, C4L to end of rnd—6 gusset sts.

First and second sizes only
Rnds 7–8: Knit.

Rnd 9: M1R, knit to marker, M1L, sm, knit to end of rnd—8 gusset sts.

Rnd 10: Knit to marker, sm, C4R to last 2 sts, k2.

Rnd 11: Knit.

Second size only
Rnd 12: Knit.

Third size only
Rnds 7–9: Knit.

Rnd 10: M1R, knit to marker, M1L, sm, C4R to last 2 sts, k2—8 gusset sts.

Rnds 11–13: Knit.

Separate thumb:
Slip first 8 sts of round to scrap yarn or holder, removing the marker.

First size only: Using the backward-loop method, CO 2 sts onto the last needle of the rnd, knit to end of rnd, knit the 2 new sts—28 sts. This is the new start-of-rnd.

Knit 1 more rnd.

Next rnd: K2, C4L around to last 2 sts, C4L across the last 2 sts and first 2 sts of next rnd. This is the new start-of-round position.

Second size only: Using the backward-loop method, CO 2 sts onto the last needle of the rnd, knit to end of rnd, knit the 2 new sts—32 sts. This is the new start-of-rnd.

Next rnd: K2, C4L around to last 2 sts, C4L across the last 2 sts and first 2 sts of next rnd. This is the new start-of-round position.

Third size only: Using the backward-loop method, CO 2 sts, C4L around to last 2 sts, C4L across the last 2 sts and first 2 sts of next round—36 sts. This is the new start-of-round position.

Upper hand
Rnds 1–2: Knit.

Rnd 3: Knit to end of rnd, k2 from next rnd. This is the new start-of-round position.

Rnd 4: C4R around.

Rnds 5–6: Knit.

Rnd 7: Knit to last 2 sts. This is the new start of rnd.

Rnd 8: C4L around.

Repeat Rnds 1–8 until hand is 5[5.5, 6] inches / 12.5[14, 15] cm long, or .5 inches / 1 cm) short of desired hand length, ending with Rnd 1, 2, 4, or 5.

Next rnd: K2tog around. 14[16, 18] sts remain.

Final rnd: K2tog around. 7[8, 9] sts remain.

Cut yarn and pull through final sts to secure.

Thumb
Return the 8 held thumb sts to needles. With RS facing, rejoin yarn at crook of thumb and pick up and knit 4 sts in the gap, and knit to end of thumb sts—12 sts. Distribute sts across needles as you prefer and join for working in the round.

Next rnd, dec: K2, k2tog, k6, ssk, k1—10 sts remain. This is the new start-of-rnd.

Knit all rnds until thumb measures 1.5[1.5, 1.7] inches / 3.8[3.8, 4.5] cm, or desired length.

Final rnd: K2tog around—5 sts remain.

Cut yarn and pull through final sts to secure.

FINISHING

Block and weave in ends, closing up any holes at the base of the thumb.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Kate is Knitty's Managing Technical Editor, and a fan of knitwear for the extremities.

You can see more of her work at kateatherley.com, and on Ravelry.

Pattern & images © Kate Atherley 2017 for Interweave, an imprint of F+W Media, Inc. and originally appeared in Knit Mitts: Your Hand-y Guide to Knitting Mittens & Gloves (Interweave, 2017). All images ©F+W Media, Inc. For more information visit Interweave.com.