Smitten Mittens

Fair Isle Mittens

Technique used: Knit

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Approx 8 1/2" hand circumference x 9 1/2" long

MATERIALS

Vickie Howell for Caron Sheep(ish) (70% Acrylic/30% Wool; 3oz/85g, 167yds/153m)
Shown in:
#0002 Gun Metal(ish) (A): 1 skein
#0008 Pink(ish) (B): 1 skein

One set of five size U.S. 8 (5mm) double-pointed needles (dpn), or size to obtain gauge
One set of five size U.S. 10 (6mm) double-pointed needles
Stitch marker
Waste yarn
Yarn needle

ABBREVIATIONS

Ssk: Slip next 2 stitches, 1 at a time, to RH needle as if to knit, return stitches to LH needle in new orientation, knit 2 stitches together through back loop. (1 stitch decreased)

STITCHES USED
1x1 Rib (multiple of 2 sts)
All Rows: *K1, p1; rep from * to end.

SPECIAL TECHNIQUE

Duplicate Stitch: Using a yarn needle, *bring the yarn from the wrong side of the work to the right side at the base of the knitted stitch to be covered (this is the base of the vee formed by the knitted stitch), take the needle under both arms of the vee, going through the base of the vee of the stitch above, insert the yarn needle back into the same place where you began, taking the yarn to the wrong side of the work, being careful to match the tension of the surrounding knit fabric. Repeat from * for remaining stitches.

GAUGE

In Stockinette stitch, 19 sts and 22 rows = 4"/10cm, using smaller needles

LEFT MITTEN

Using smaller needles and A, CO 36 sts. Join to work in the rnd, taking care not to twist sts; place marker at beg of rnd. Divide sts evenly among 4 needles. Work in 1x1 Rib for 2 1/2".

Next Rnd: Knit 1 rnd, inc 1 st at end of each needle–40 sts. Knit 1 rnd.

Next Rnd: Cont in St st, change to larger needles and Fair Isle Pattern from Chart; work even for 8 rnds. Drop B.

Change to smaller needles; knit 1 rnd.

Thumb Opening: Cont with A, work 14 sts, change to waste yarn, k5, slip these 5 sts back to left-hand needle, change to A, knit to end.

Next Rnd: Cont in St st, change to larger needles and Fair Isle Pattern from Chart; work even for 8 rnds. Drop B.

Change to smaller needles; knit 6 rnds.

Shape Mitten Top: Dec 4 sts every 3 rnds 3 times, then every rnd 6 times, as follows: Needle 1: Ssk, knit to end; Needle 2: Knit to last 2 sts, k2tog; Needles 3 and 4: Rep Needles 1 and 2–4 sts rem.

Break yarn, weave through remaining sts, cinch shut on WS.

Thumb

Carefully unpick waste yarn and place 5 bottom sts and 4 top sts onto dpns. With RS facing, join A at beg of bottom sts, leaving 12" tail. Knit across bottom sts, pick up and k1 between bottom and top sts, knit across top sts, pick up and k1 between top and bottom sts—11 sts. Rearrange sts among 3 dpns. Join to work in the rnd; place marker at beg of rnd.

Work in St st until piece measures 2 3/4" from pick-up rnd.

Shape Thumb Top: [K2tog] 5 times, k1–6 sts.

Break yarn, weave through remaining sts, cinch shut on WS.

RIGHT MITTEN

Work as for Left Mitten to Thumb Opening.

Thumb Opening: Cont with A, work 21 sts, change to waste yarn, k5, slip these 5 sts back to left-hand needle, change to working yarn, knit to end. Complete as for Left Mitten.

FINISHING

Using yarn needle, B, and Duplicate St, work single motif from red box on Fair Isle Chart at center of top of each mitten (see photo), on back of hand only.

Using yarn needle, weave in all ends, using tails at thumb to close gaps if necessary. Turn inside out and block lightly.