Stressless MittsBy Ruinwen
Here is a cute little last-minute knit that makes up easily in a day. This mitt employs a K4, P1 ribbing in the body to ensure a snug but comfortable fit.
Materials
5 double-pointed needles to gauge
Cascade 220
A scrap of waste yarn
Stitch marker
Gauge
4 stitches per inch – size eight needles
Pattern
Using the long-tail method, cast on 10 stitches on each needle.
Join and knit with working yarn and tail to secure for the first two stitches of K2, P2 rib. Put a marker after the second stitch to signify the first needle. Work in ribbing for 10 rounds.
Switch over to K4, P1 ribbing for 11 rounds.
In the next round, we want to make room for the thumb by using waste yarn to knit stitches that we will later remove. This yarn should be approximately the same thickness that you are already using but a different color that will make the stitches easy to pick out later.
Knit 6 stitches with waste yarn on 1st needle and remove marker for the waste yarn will now mark the first needle. Slide these stitches from working needle back to left-hand needle. 1st needle should now have 10 stitches again but the first six will be in a different yarn.
Knit 6 more rounds in K4, P1 rib.
Change to K2, P2 ribbing for 10 rounds. Bind off all stitches.
Now go back to the waste yarn stitches and place the bottom and top rows of the stitches that are being held by it on two separate needles. Take out waste yarn carefully. You should have six stitches on both needles.
Join new yarn knit 4 stitches from 1st needle. Take a new needle and knit remaining two stitches from 1st needle and pick up 2 side stitches. Knit 4 stitches from the top needle. Take a new needle and knit the remaining 2 stitches on the top needle and pick up two side stitches. You should have four needles each with four stitches on them.
Knit 6 rounds. Bind off. Weave in ends.
Now, make a second one. :)
Stressless Mitts 2007 Ruinwen. All Rights Reserved, Knittin’ Chicks and vixenpath.blogspot.com
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Anyway, the whole mitt thing started when I was trying to make a pair for a guy I work with and I didn't like the way they fitted. So I added a rib to the body and now they fit him. These were for me but well...they are living at the shop and I will have to make myself another pair later.
As with any holiday season, things have been crazy. Last year my folks were in and out of hospitals and nursing homes and this year we are moving them into Assisted Living. I am trying to be the most loving, understanding, helpful being I can be. I can't even begin to understand how hard it is to pack up and leave the house you've called home for 40+ years and move into an apartment. But I'm doing everything I can to make things easier for them.
I really think as hard as this is that it for the best. And if there is a silver lining to all of this...they will only be five minutes away because they agreed to move to my town. So I can pop over after work and on weekends and it will be really nice.
I'm behind in most everything but that is okay because I always am. I believe in the message of the season and I'm taking time to let the light be reborn deep within me. All things considered, I am very blessed.
If I can't get back to posting before Yule/Soltice/Christmas/Kwanza...please have a wonderful, fun, safe, and happy season and a *big hug* from me.
Bright blessings,
Ruinwen
:)
