Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Fingerless Mitts, Midgauge

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I love mittens but don't like not being able to use my fingers while wearing mittens.  So fingerless mitts are the perfect answer for me.  They can be knit plain to be practical or in nice patterns for a good looking mitt.  Here's my pattern.


(Click on photos for larger image)
Machine: Brother KX350 or Silver Reed SK860 Midgauge
Yarn: Berroco Vintage or Classic Shades by Universal
Main Tension: 4
Ribbed Tension: 2
Gauge: 5.5 sts, 8 rows =1”
Size: Woman’s Med

Wrist Ribbing:
1.  E-wrap CO 42 sts with scrap and ravel cord.  (40 if Bickford type seaming)
2.  T2, K 18 rows, or length desired.
3.  Latch 1x2 rib.

Wrist:
1.  T 4, K  8 rows, or length desired.  COR.

Thumb Gusset:
1.  RC000.  T 4.
2.  Increase one st at the beginning of each of the next 16 rows.  (I use the 2 prong tool to move the sts out, then fill the empty needle with the ‘heel’  taken from the next st toward the center of the bed)
3.  Starting on the side away from the carriage, manually remove  8 sts from the edge of the needle bed on several rows of waste yarn, leaving the remaining hand stitches on the machine. 
4.  K1R across and remove the same number of sts on the other side away from the carriage.

Upper Mitten:
1.  RC000. 
2.  T4,  K 8 to 10 rows.  (Or length desired)
3.  T2 + one click, K 7 rows, or length desired.  (COR)
4.  Latch 1x2 rib on the 7 rows.
5.  Back stitch BO.  (I prefer from right hand side)
  
Thumb:
1.  RC000. 
2.  With purl side facing you and center thumbs neighboring each other, pick up and hang on the needle bed 16 thumb sts from each piece of waste yarn PLUS 2 full sts, one from each side of the body at the seam side. 
3.   T4,  K 2  rows.  (Or length desired)
4.   T2 + one click, K 6 rows (COR).  May need to knit 1 more row to move carriage to the right hand side.
5.   Latch rib in 1x2.
6.   Back stitch BO.

Finishing:
1.   Sew seams with mattress stitch or a Bickford type seam.  If using a flat Bickford type seam reduce CO by 2 sts.
2.   Weave in yarn ends.

Notes:
1.   Use your ribber to work the ribbing instead of latching the ribbed rows.
2.   Length of the hand, thumb or ribbing may be adjusted by adding or subtracting rows.
3.   Cables, fairisle, tuck or other patterning may be used in the hand portion, but keep in mind that most patterning may alter the gauge.
4.   You may omit the ribbing on the thumb and/or hand if desired, but the edges will curl unless treated otherwise, such as a crocheted edging.
5.   Make 2nd mitt to match, unless using a pattern design on the back.  Then begin CO on opposite side of machine and reverse all shaping.
6.   Mitts may be knit in the round on machines with ribbers.  My trick to that is making the upper hand and thumb ribbings separately and grafting from the purl side afterward.
7.   The mitts may be worn over little knit gloves found at our favorite discount chain store.  But CO sts or tension may need to be increased to fit comfortably over the gloves.  They will be nice and toasty.


2 comments:

  1. These are beautiful! I think I like the cabled ones best---mostly because of the color(s). Nice job!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Mar. I like the cabled ones too. I made these in the round and the cables were a bear to work with the ribber in place. But think I have that thought out for the next pair. Not going to relatch the purl rows until after I get them off the machine. Where there's a will, there's usually a way! :-) Thanks again.

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