Fingerless Mittens

These mittens are quick and easy to make using 4ply sock yarn, which comes in a wonderful range of exciting colours.

They fit a small to medium adult hand.

They are made on 2 needles so are within the capabilities of  inexperienced knitters.

2.5mm needles.

Cast on 60 sts.

Work in K1P1 Rib for 5-6cm.

Then change to stocking stitch, (knit 1 row, purl one row, alternately).

On the right side row place markers after the 26th and 30th stitches for the first mitt or after the 30th and 34th stitches for the second mitt.

 On the 3rd row and following 4th rows knit to the marker, after the marker increase in the first and last stitches between the markers, work to the end. Continue like this until you have 20sts between the markers. Work 3 rows straight.

On the next (right side) row work to the second marker, remove the 2nd marker, cast on 4 sts, TURN, work back to the first marker, remove the marker, TURN. You are now working on 24 sts only for the thumb.

On these thumb sts work in K1P1 rib for 4 rows. Cast off (not too tight).

Return to hand stitches. Join the yarn to where your first marker was. Cast on 4 sts. Work to the end of the row. Cont in st st work 18 rows.

Change to K1P1 rib and work 4 rows.

Cast off.

Sew the thumb cast on to the hand cast on and sew up the side of the thumb. Sew the side seam.

A DK version can be made using 4mm needles and casting on 40 sts.
Divide for the thumb by placing markers after the 20th and 22nd stitches for one mitt and after the 18th and 20th stitches for the other mitt. Inc to 16sts between markers. Add 3 sts instead of 4 for the thumb. And work fewer rows above the thumb (the easiest way to check how much to knit here is to lay the mitt against your own hand.

Naturally a larger version can be made by starting with more stitches. Just remember to place one marker in the middle of your sts and the other marker the appropriate number of stitches before/after that marker for the two mitts.

I understand that these are very popular with the young these days as they leave the fingers free for all that texting etc! And being made of sock yarn they are easilly washable. Good Christmas presents perhaps!