Badmittens

A few months ago a man named Jack contacted the Indianapolis Knitting Guild looking for someone to knit him some mittens.

Well usually people who want something knitted run away when you tell them how much it costs, but the email he sent mentioned that they used to have a sheep farm and he had yarn from his sheep.  It seemed like there was a better than average chance that he'd know what he was asking, so I met with him.

He brought me a couple pairs of these mittens that he and his wife had had knit from their wool 25(?) years ago. 

They were awesome.  Double thick, soft, and warm.  And you could definitely tell that they had been loved for 25 years.

So Jack gave me some of his really lovely yarn (millspun Finn blend), and we agreed on some terms and I sent about remaking his mittens.  He wanted to surprise his wife for Mother's Day and I finished them in the nick of time. 

If you'd like your own pair of double thick mittens, here's how I made them:

Yarn: about Aran weight.  I don't know the yardage used, however the finished mittens weighed 6.5 oz.

Gauge: 4.5 stitches per inch

Needles: I used size 8 DPNs but you could use magic loop or 2 circs.  Use needle size to get gauge.

Note: Since when these are finished the inside is entirely enclosed, you will want to weave in all ends as you go.  

Cast on 4 stitches.  Slide stitches to other end of needle (as you do with i-cord).

Round 1: KFB of every stitch, and split stitches onto 3 needles (2, 2, and 4) if using DPNs.

Round 2: KFB every stitch (16 sts)

Round 3: *K2, m1, repeat from * (24 sts)

Round 4 and remaining even rows: Knit every stitch

Round 5: *K3, m1, repeat from * (32 sts)


For larger mittens work an optional round 7: *K4, m1, repeat from * (40 sts)

Continue knitting every round until mitten measures 5 inches from tip (or desired length.  Take this opportunity to weave in the yarn from the fingertips. 

Thumb: Knit 7 stitches and place onto waste yarn.  Knit rest of round.  Cast on 7 stitches over thumb hole.  Continue knitting every round for an inch or 2 and then go back to work afterthought thumb.

Either use another set of needles or put main mitten stitches on waste yarn and use the same needles to knit the first thumb. Put thumb stitches on needles, and with new working yarn pick up and knit 11 more stitches around thumb hole.  (18sts)
*SSK, k5, k2tog, repeat from * (14 sts).


Knit every round until thumb measures about 2 inches or as long as desired.  K1, k2tog, k2, k2tog, repeat from * (8sts)
K2tog every stitch (4 sts).  Break yarn and pull through remaining stitches.

Weave in both ends from thumb before continuing on with mitten body. 

Knit every round on remaining stitches until mitten measures 18 inches.

Work second thumb hole in same manner as first (place 7 stitches on waste yarn and then cast on 7 stitches in the next round.  Knit even for an inch or 2, then work second thumb as first one.

Continue working down fingertips 3.5 inches from second thumb (or same length as palm on other side). Weave in ends from second thumb. 

If you worked the larger size start with *k3, k2tog, repeat from * for 1 round, and then knit 1 round. (32 sts)

Decrease round 1: *K2, k2tog, repeat from * (24 sts)

Round 2: Knit

Round 3: *K1, k2tog, repeat from * (16 sts)

Round 4: K2tog every stitch around. (8 sts)


Break yarn and run through remaining stitches.  Pull tight. 

It's kind of strange to weave in the last end from the outside, but you can kind of run it through a few places to make sure it won't unravel.

Push 1 hand inside the other hand.  Voila!  A double knit mitten.

Complete second mitten as first one.

This pattern is completely not tech edited or test knit, I just thought I'd share my notes.  If anyone finds a mistake please let me know!

These could really be modified quite easily to be worked with almost any yarn.  Keep working the increases until the hand is the size that you want, and adjust the number of thumb stitches accordingly.  When it's time to start the second hand, measure the distance from the thumb to the end of the increases on the first hand, and knit the same distance from the second thumb before starting the decreases.

I know it's free but this pattern is still Copyright Mandie Harrington.  You may knit as many pair as you'd like and sell the finished product if you can find someone willing to pay you for them, but please don't sell or give away copies of the pattern.