Happy New Year and welcome back to the Progressive Needles Knit Along sponsored by Skacel! We kick off 2012 with a toasty warm mitten pattern using the deliciously soft and durable Simpliworsted. As always, this project is full of tips, techniques and videos to increase your knitting know-how.
Mittens get their warmth from good wool that is knit on needles smaller than the size recommended by the yarn. This firm gauge keeps the wind out and helps to retain the body’s heat. Simpliworsted is especially nice since its cushy loft allows for the use of different needle sizes while still maintaining a beautiful stitch definition. (It doesn’t hurt that it is machine washable, too!)
Winter Buzz is designed to fit the average woman’s hand. The length of the mitten will be customized in Part Two by matching the knitting to the height of your hand. The circumference may be adjusted by altering the needle sizes. The pattern and the yarn easily adapt to smaller or larger needles.
Because hand lengths vary greatly, the yardage each knitter uses for the mittens will vary as well. My hands are on the small side and I just needed a small portion of my second skein of yarn. Having the second skein provides ample yardage to accommodate longer hands and a longer cuff for those who like more wrist coverage. If you are choosing to knit fingerless mitts, one skein should do the trick. I will reveal several patterns to use with your leftover Simpliworsted at the conclusion of Winter Buzz.
In Part One, we will be knitting the cuff of our mittens. The cuff is knit with a nice firm rib to keep the drafts away. I recommend casting on for the cuff using the German Twisted Cast On. This variation of the Long Tail Cast On is a bit firmer and will help the cuff hug your wrist. This cast on is not crucial to the design but it is a great skill to add to your knitting repertoire. I substitute it for the Long Tail method in most projects because I favor its clean line. Check out the “German Twisted Cast On” Video to learn this sophisticated technique.
Part One
Click here to download printable version
- 2 skeins Simpliworsted, 55% Merino Superwash/28% Acrylic/17% Nylon, 100g/140 yards each.
- US #5 (3.75mm) AND #7 (4.5mm) 6” double points (see NOTE below) or size necessary to achieve desired gauge.
- Cable needle
- Stitch holder
- Markers
NOTE: Mittens hands may also be knit with two 24” circular needles or one 32” circular needle for Magic Loop method. See “Magic Loop” Video. Sample was knit using the Magic Loop method on 32” addi Lace needles. For thumb, #7 double points are recommended.
5 stitches = 1 inch in stockinette on larger size needles.
Women’s Average – Size may be adjusted by changing needle sizes.
Finished wrist circumference: approximately 6” unstretched and will comfortably stretch up to 10”.
Finished hand circumference: approximately 8” unstretched and will comfortably stretch up to 10”.
Finished length: 10” (may be adjusted).
Cuff
With smaller needles, cast on 42 stitches using German Twisted Cast On method. See “German Twisted Cast On” Video
Divide stitches evenly between needles and join in the round taking care not to twist the stitches.
Work a k2, p1 rib for 20 rounds or until cuff reaches desired length.
STOP!
Next week’s clue brings a great cable pattern for the hand. Happy knitting!
We have a weekly prize winner!!! Congratulations to Pat G.! This week’s clue was posted right here. The remaining weekly clues will be a bit harder to find. Look on the Skacel and Knit Purl Hunter sites on various days for your best chance to win. Here is what this week’s clue looked like:
Wondering about those hidden clues to win a weekly prize? Here is a clue hidden in plain sight for you! Be the first to email info@knitpurlhunter.com with “Happy 2012 KAL” in the subject line and you will win this week’s prize.
Thanks to all emailed me!