DAVE'S FULLED MITTENS
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Last Updated: 11/24/2010

Directions are for man's large[xl].  

OVERVIEW
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I made this pattern by combing several others for boiled wool mittens.  
The idea was to get close to the old classic Dachstein Mitts.   Like the
original Dachsteins, these mitts have a longer than normal cuff, so they
are suitable for use under modern shell mitts.  Unlike the classic
Dachsteins, this pattern uses a more squared off finger box for a bit
more warmth.  This pattern is asymmetrical, with offset thumbs for a better
fit.

Fulling (the process of shrinking) is hard to do consistently.  My advice
is to pick a process of fulling and stick with it.  I wash the mitts in
my washing machine using hot water, a bit of detergent and with a pair of old
jeans to increase the amount of agitation.   When in doubt, check the mitts
for size often as they are washing.

The mitts can be shaped to some degree while they are still wet.

I've made these in both a normal thickness, which is better for hiking and
cross-country skiing, and a super thick version, which is better for super
cold conditions.

Sizes before and after fulling for XL

            before  after
tot length  14.5"   11.75"
width       5.5"    4.25"
thumb len   3"      2.75"
thumb wid   2.5"    1.75"


NEEDLES & YARNS
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Needles: #10, #11 DP
Yarn for normal thickness: 
  Cascade Eco Wool.
Yarn for super thick mitts:
  Lion Brand Alpine Wool
Gauge: 13st/4in or 3.25/in
  
CUFF
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Cast on 32 [36] sts on #10 DP needles.  Work k2, p2 for 4", 
approximately 17 rounds.

HAND TO GUSSET
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Increase to 36[40] sts. Work in stockinette stitch for 1.5", approx  7 
rounds.

GUSSET
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Gusset will start with 2 of the original 36[40] stitches and will 
increase to have 14 stitches.

Place markers before 2nd stitch and after 3rd stitch on 
first needle.  This will form the basis for the gusset.

[For  left mitt, place markers before 3rd and after 2nd from end on
last needle.]

Round 1: k to marker, slide marker, M1, k to marker, M1, slide 
  marker, k to end
Round 2: k all stitches

Repeat Round 1 & 2 until 14 stitches between markers. 

Next round:  k to marker, use darning needle to move 
  gusset stitches to waste yarn, cast on 2 stitches (this should
  give 36 non-gusset stitches), remove marker, k to end.


    
BODY
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Knit for 5.25"[6"], approx 24 rounds.

TOP DECREASE
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Place 2nd marker 1/2 way around mitten

R1:  *k  to 2sts before  1st marker, k2tog, slide marker, k1, SSK* 
  repeat between *s at 2nd marker, knit to end
R2: knit
R3-R4: repeat R1 & R2
R5-R6: repeat R1 & R2
[R7-R8: repeat R1 & R2]

Place sts between markers on 2 needles. Kitchener Stitch together
  

    
THUMB
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Place stitches (including 2 on body for total of 14) on DP needles.
Knit for 2.5"[3"].

R1: * k2, k2tog, repeat from * around
R2: knit around
R3: *K1, k2tog, repeat from * around
R4: knit around

Break yarn, pull yarn through remaining stitches.

NOTES
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SSK
  Slip one as knit
  Slip second as knit
  Insert LH needle in front of the 2 sts & knit together


Kitchener Stitch
  1 Draw yarn through 1st st on FRONT as KNIT, slip off. 
    Draw yarn through 2nd st on FRONT as PURL, leave on.
  2 Draw yarn through 1st st on BACK as PURL, slip off. 
    Draw yarn through 2nd st on BACK as KNIT, leave on.
  3 Continue steps 1 & 2