Magic Loop Mitts Intermediate
~Warm, toasty quick-to-knit fingerless mitts made with sock yarn leftovers. Knowledge of knitting in the round and the magic loop method required. Fits both women and men that wear medium to large size gloves. For a how-to on magic loop knitting or if you need a refresher, this site has a terrific video tutorial.
Make two:
Materials:
Leftover sock yarn what is left on a two-sock skein after making 1 pair of kid-size socks is more than enough for one pair of mitts approx. 2 oz.
Size 5 circular knitting needles at least 32 in length
Tapestry needle
Abbreviations:
CO Cast on st (s) stitch (es) cont continue
BO Bind off St st Stockinette stitch dec decrease
K Knit rep repeat inc increase
P Purl
M1 Make one stitch by lifting up bar thread between 2 sts, placing it on left needle, then insert needle knit wise and knit as if it were a regular stitch.
K2tog Decrease a st by knitting two sts together at the same time.
Ribbing Pattern: *K1, P1 rep from * around row.
Gauge 6 stitches = 1, 8 rows = 1
Co 50 sts and divide between each side of circs. Join without twisting.
Cuff: Knit in Ribbing Pattern for 2. Change to St st. On first row, inc by 10 sts by M1 after every 5th st for a total now of 60 sts. Cont in St st until 5 long from cast on edge.
Set-up for Thumb, Knit over Knuckles: K9 sts using a bit of waste yarn, slip these sts purlwise back onto left needle, knit them again with working yarn, knit around rest of row. Tie ends of waste yarn together, but not pulling in tight. Cont in St st for another half inch, dec 10 sts by K2tog in the same places as when increased at every 5th st (*K4, K2tog, rep from * across) - back to 50 sts now. Knit one row of St st after dec row, then switch to and knit in Ribbing Pattern for 1, BO loosely.
Thumb: With the top of the mitt towards the left, remove waste yarn and pick up live stitches one at a time (9 sts on right needle and 8 sts on left), attach working yarn and K first 9 sts, while still using this needle, pick up and knit 3 sts in space between front needle and back. K8 on next needle, while still using this needle, pick up and knit 4 more sts in space between this needle and the next. Each needle now has 12 sts total of 24 sts. Knit next 2 rows around in St st, then knit in Ribbing Pattern for 1 BO very loosely as it needs to fit comfortably over thumb. Weave in all ends. Lightly block if desired. Make a second mitt just like the first.
This pattern can also be made up using size 5 double pointed needles divide the stitches among the needles while or during casting on, then proceed to knit as you usually would with double points. Divide thumb stitches evenly among three needles.
© Iris Morrison 10/12/06 Warm N Fuzzy Fiber Arts. All rights reserved. Final outcome is determined by individual skill. For personal use only may be copied for personal use if this copyright information is included.