Free Knitting Pattern: Lady's Work Mittens

Lady's Work Mittens

This file was downloaded from http://www.knitting-and.com/knitting/patterns/mittens/mittens.htm

Mitten

These work mittens were originally designed for my sister who wanted a pair of mittens that would allow free finger movement when needed without freezing her hands. They are sized to fit an average size medium. (The picture shows my Mum wearing my sister's mittens. Since Mum has larger hands than sis the mittens look a little small in the picture). I made an earlier version for my father before I knew anything about knitting thumb shaping in the round and considering the technique I used I'm surprised I ever finished them! But be assured that this pattern is thoroughly tested and I now know what I'm doing. 8*)

Size

To fit lady's size medium.
Measurement from wrist to tip of index finger: 20.5cm
Measurement across palm (excluding thumb): 9cm

Materials

100gm 8 ply Cleckheaton Country in main colour. (approx 110m per 50gm)
50gm 8 ply Cleckheaton Country in contrasting colour.
I used dark grey for the main colour and pale grey for the contrast.

One set of 3.25mm double pointed needles
One set of 4mm double pointed needles.

Tension

22.5 sts to 10cm over st st worked on 4mm needles in the round.

Abbreviations

M1: Make 1
Pick up loop lying between sts and knit it, making sure to twist it so as to avoid making a hole.

SSK: slip, slip, knit
Slip 2 sts, one at a time, as if to knit. Put left hand needle into sts and knit them together in the normal manner. You should now have 1 st on the RH needle.

Right Mitten:
Using 3.25mm needles and contrast colour cast on 42sts. Join circularly and mark the beginning of the round.
Work 22 rounds K1 P1 rib.

Change to 4mm needles and main colour and work 2 rounds. *

Shape Thumb Gusset

K22, M1, K1, M1, K19

Knit 3 rounds straight

K22, M1, K3, M1, K19

Knit 3 rounds straight

K22, M1, K5, M1, K19

Knit 3 rounds straight

K22, M1, K7, M1, K19

Knit 3 rounds straight

K22, M1, K9, M1, K19

Knit 2 rounds straight

Decrease For Thumb (thumb is worked later)

K34, slip last 13 sts just K onto a st holder (I use a double thickness of yarn) to pick up later for thumb. K rem sts.

Next round: K21, cast on 3sts, K rem 18 sts.

Palm

K7 rounds straight.

K22, cast off 19, K1

Next round: K22, Cast on 19, K1

** K 17 rounds straight.

Shape Top

K1, SSK, K15, K2tog, K2, SSK, K15, K2tog, K1

K1 round straight.

K1, SSK, K13, K2tog, K2, SSK, K13, K2tog, K1

K1 round straight.

K1, SSK, K11, K2tog, K2, SSK, K11, K2tog, K1

K1 round straight.

K1, SSK, K9, K2tog, K2, SSK, K9, K2tog, K1

K1 round straight.

K1, SSK, K7, K2tog, K2, SSK, K7, K2tog, K1

K1 round straight.

K1, SSK, K5, K2tog, K2, SSK, K5, K2tog, K1

K1 round straight.

Graft the end of the mitten together using kitchener st.

Thumb

Using 4mm needles K 13sts on st holder, pick up 5 sts at base of the 3 cast on sts.

1st round: K13, K2tog, K1, K2tog. Mark the end of the round.

K 20 rounds straight.

Shape for tip

(K1, K2tog) rep to last st, K1.

K 1 round straight.

K2 tog to last st, K1.

Thread yarn through sts and draw up tightly. Fasten off at the back of thumb so the darning does not irritate the tip of the thumb.

Finishing for finger opening

Using contrast colour and 4mm needles pick up 19sts at the bottom of finger opening (on the palm of the mitten) and work 6 rows K1 P1 rib. Cast off loosely in rib.

Repeat for upper finger opening.

Bring ribbing on upper edge of finger opening to the inside of the mitten and catch down the sides firmly.

Bring ribbing on lower edge of opening to the outside and catch down sides neatly.

Left Mitten Work as for Right Mitten to *