The Rare Pattern
I knit the way I cook - take a basic recipe or method and then make it my own. In my cooking, as in my knitting, nothing is the same twice. I’ve tried to address this in my knitting by keeping a journal, which works a little. However, when one makes socks or mittens or gloves or anything you generally make 2 of, it pays to keep a record of what one is doing. So, here are some basic mittens that will fit Jack for about 10 more minutes. I had some beautiful worsted Indigo Malabrigo. Perfect color for little Jack and his blueblue eyes. I’ve knit it on a very tight gauge to keep the wind (in Atlanta! LOL!) out. With one skein, you could make a whole bunch of kiddo mittens. In fact, I plan to make a 3rd as one of the pair has already gone missing! This is a really basic “recipe.” I’ve thought of embroidering his initials or adding some fair isle to spice it up but the yarn is so beautiful that the mittens don’t really need anything else.
Jack’s BabyBlue “Glubs” a/k/a Mittens
Size: 2-4 year old child, it’s 5.5″ around the outside the hand of the mitten
Yarn: worsted Malabrigo
Gauge: 6.5 sts/inch
Needles: one set 3.25mm DPN.
1. CO 32 sts. Work 2×2 rib for 15 rows. On the last row, increase 4 sts evenly around the row.
2. Swtich to st st and work 15 rows or about 1.5″. It should probably be a little longer for better wrist coverage.
3. Thumb opening. I did not put a gussett for the thumb in the mitten, but next year, I will. These are meant to be a bit snug on Jack’s little hands. Slide 6 sts onto a holder. CO 6 sts and continue to work in st st.for 25 sts or 2.5″.
4. Begin decrease for finger shaping. Rnd 1: *k4, k2tg* around. Even rnds: knit. Rnd 3: *k3, k2tog* around. Continue until there are 6 sts left. Break off, leaving an end. Draw the end through all 6 sts twice. Pull together tightly, weave in the end on the WS.
5. Work the thumb. Slide the 6 sts from the hold to a needle, pick up 8 sts along the cast on edge of the thumb opening - 14 sts. Divide onto 3 needles and work around for 15 rows.
6. Begin thumb decrease. *k2tog* 6 times, k 2 - 8 sts. Knit the next rnd. k2tog around. There are now 4 stst. Break off, leaving an end. Draw the end through all 4 sts twice. Pull together tightly, weave in the end on the WS.
7. Turn right side out and admire your work. Work the second mitten (and third, if you’d like). Find child and put them on him. I will say that Jack wanted nothing to do with them until Ben told him that I made them for him. Then he readily put them on. I am enjoying the appreciation; I know one day he will be a teenager.
Look here for Christmas stocking pictures!