This year I promised myself that I would tackle the thumb gusset and knit a mitten with a covered top. Fingerless mittens have been a favorite project of mine that I have knitted and crocheted for several years. I have gifted them to family and friends, sold them at fairs, and have worn them as an atractive accessory. However, with my fair activity dramatically paused with CoVid, I wanted increase my donation of my products to charitable groups. However, these organizations preferred the closed mitten as their clients really needed to keep their hands warm in the cold winter months. Although I know how to knit on double pointed needles that most mitten patterns require, I do not enjoy that activity. I usually use them to close off knitted beanies, but I rather not knit on the dp needles for an entire project. When a friend in my knitting and crocheting group introduced me to the two needle method I was hooked. Her pattern was a bit complicated, and so I searched for a pattern that I could execute in any environment. My favorite pattern was designed by Arna Caplan for Knitting4Peace. I have knitted hundreds of Peace Pal dolls and countless hats and scarves for this wonderful organization that sends pieces filled with love to at risk communities throughout the USA and Internationally. I also have several other organizations on my giving list. Now I wanted to try my hand at mittens. In contrast to other patterns, the right and left mitten are identical. They are knitted with worsted weight yarn with number 5 and 8 needles. Pattern sizes are youth's, women's, and men's sizes. The mittens are knitted flat, starting with the cuff. After a few rows, you start the thumb gusset. When the desired number stitches is reached, place the stitches on a holder. The knit across top of the row to fort the the hand. Follow directions for decreases to finish off the top of the fingers. Leave a long tail to sew the mitten together. Join yarn at the thumb stitches and knit the correct number of rows before completing thumb. Sew hand and thumb seams. I prefer blanket stitch, although others may prefer to crochet the edges or use a mattress stitch. Their are countless ways to decorate your mittens. Two of my favorites are stripes and color blocking. You can knit both mittens the same or you cn change the arrangement of the colors for an intriguing mismatched look. These embroidered flower mittens are just the first of many. A friend asked me to knit a pair of unicorn gloves for her granddaughter and a pair of dinosaur gloves for her grandson. My granddaughter is modeling the unicorn mittens, but I will have to make her a warmer pair for her to wear. There are all kinds of animals that one can knit. Even if the design is for the four dp needles, you can adapt the picture to the two needle method. For the mittens below, I embroided a mouse face and crocheted the ears. Rita's Family Knit Mittens from Yarnspirations is an intermediate skill mitten that features Red Heart Super Saver Yarns in sizes from 2/4 years to men. Knitting needles are size 6 and 7. The directions for the right and left mitten are different so that the thumb placement is more accurate. I found the pattern harder to follow and went back to my first set of directions. As always I appreciate your feedback and reflections. I welcome you to accompany me only stitching journey. As I craft I am always learning. Now that I knit a mitten with a thumb. My next goal is to learn how to crochet a mitten with a thumb.
2 Comments
Helen Doran
10/15/2021 11:04:15 am
Beautiful mitts
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