Are you enjoying the lofty softness of Simpliworsted in your cuff? Now it’s time to get to the real fun! Today’s clue has us adding one of my favorite cable stitch patterns. This classic design makes for a beautiful and interesting knit that only looks complicated.
The cable design will be worked over the top of the hand with the palm remaining in stockinette. The simple palm allows us to easily insert a full fashioned thumb gusset. The use of the Make One Left and the Make One Right gives our thumb a sophisticated opening. The pattern directs you to begin the thumb shaping at the base of the thumb. The base of your thumb is the lowest joint, or knuckle, at the bottom of your thumb.
The directions for this clue are the same for both the mitten and fingerless mitt versions except for the length. Mitten knitters will stop 1 ¾” from the top of the hand (tallest finger). Fingerless mitt knitters will stop 1” less than the total desired length – generally about 6” to 7” from the cast on edge.
A few reminders:
- Switch to the larger size needles after the Increase Round.
- Work the appropriate thumb directions for the left and right hand.
Part Two
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C4B – slip next 2 stitches onto cable needle and hold in back of work, knit next 2 stitches from left hand needle, then knit 2 stitches from cable needle. See “Cables” Video
C4F – slip next 2 stitches onto cable needle and hold in front of work, knit next 2 stitches from left hand needle, then knit 2 stitches from cable needle. See “Cables” Video
cn – cable needle.
kfb – knit into front and back of stitch. See “kfb” Video
M1L (Make One Left) – With left needle tip, lift strand between needles from front to back. Knit the lifted strand through the back. See “Make One” Video
M1R (Make One Right) – With left needle tip, lift strand between needles from back to front. Knit the lifted strand through the front. See “Make One” Video
sl – slip.
Hand
Increase round:
*(k2, p1, kfb, k1, p1) 3 times, k2, p1; repeat from * to end of round. (48 stitches)
First 24 stitches of round form Top of Hand. Second 24 stitches of round form the Palm.
Change to larger size needles. Work Cable Pattern (see below) over Top of Hand and stockinette (all knit) over Palm stitches for 16 rounds, or to base of thumb, ending after an even numbered row.
Cable Pattern
1. Knit.
2. *C4B, C4F; repeat from *.
3. Knit.
4. Knit.
5. Knit.
6. *C4F, C4B; repeat from *.
7. Knit.
8. Knit.
Right Mitten Only
Work pattern across Top of Hand.
On Palm stitches: k2, place marker, M1R, k2, M1L, place marker, knit to the end of the round.
There are 4 Thumb Gusset stitches between the markers.
Next Round: Work in pattern across Top of Hand and knit across all Palm and Thumb Gusset stitches.
Left Mitten Only
Work pattern across Top of Hand.
On Palm stitches: k20, place marker, M1R, k2, M1L, place marker, knit to end of round.
There are 4 Thumb Gusset stitches between the markers.
Next Round: Work in pattern across Top of Hand and knit across all Palm and Thumb Gusset stitches.
BOTH Mittens
While continuing to knit in established pattern, increase 2 Thumb Gusset stitches every other round as follows:
Round 1. Pattern across Top of Hand. On Palm: knit to 1st marker, slip marker, M1R, knit to 2nd marker, M1L, slip marker, knit to end of round.
Round 2. Pattern over Top of Hand. Knit all Palm stitches with no increases.
Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 until there are 12 stitches between the markers.
Next Round: Pattern across Top of Hand. Knit to 1st marker. Place 12 Thumb Gusset stitches on a stitch holder removing markers. Cast on 2 stitches onto Right Hand needle using Backward Loop Cast On. (See “Backward Loop Cast On” Video) Knit to end of round.
Mittens Only: Continue knitting in established pattern until mitten reaches 1 ¾” less than desired length, measured from top of tallest finger, ending after Round 4 or 8 of Cable Pattern.
Fingerless Mitts Only: Continue knitting in established pattern until mitt reaches 1” less than the total desired length, generally about 6” to 7” from the cast on edge, ending after Round 4 or 8 of cable pattern.
STOP!
Next week’s clue will have us finishing the mitten tops with a discriminating touch. Happy knitting!