Knitting Improvisation

KNITTING CORNER↓

I first saw this lace pattern in a knitting book. It was used in a scarf made with a super-bulky yarn. I really liked it, but I didn’t have any super-bulky yarn and no money to buy more yarn. What I *did* have was a whole lot of DK-weight linen yarn. So, I did what any self-respecting knitter would do – I experimented by knitting a scarf using the lace pattern and two skeins of the linen yarn.

By Robin Southworth

It made a long (almost seven feet long), warm-weather, Isadora Duncan-style scarf. It looked so pretty and got such complements, I decided to knit some fingerless mitts to go with them. It took a bit to get the lace pattern incorporated into the mitt pattern, but once I figured it out, they looked very cool and, like the scarf, got great compliments. Of course, I just improvised the scarf and mitts, never thinking I’d knit another set.

And then it happened…

Some smart-aleck friend asked for the mitt pattern. So, I counted stitches and rows and wrote the pattern for the mitts down.

I assume a few things in writing this pattern:

1- You can do basic knitting, including knitting in the round;

2- You can read a pattern;

and,

3- You understand how to make appropriate adjustments so the finished mitts fit *your* hand.

I say these things because the original mitts were knit for my tiny, pudgy fingers. The finished mitts have a loose, rather than tight, fit.

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YOU WILL NEED:

One set of #4 double-pointed knitting needles. I found the linen yarn gripped wood/bamboo needles best.

Two (2) skeins linen yarn (approx. 50 grams each). I used Marks & Katten linen yarn and needed a bit more than one skein for 2 mitts.

1 stitch marker (optional)

THE BEGINNING

Cast on 42 stitches spread evenly over 3 – #4 dpn (13 st on each needle), using your favorite cast-on, but leaving about a 6” tail.

Pm (optional) and k in a 1×1 rib in the round for approx. 2”. For my tiny hand, that was 14 rounds.

K all 1 rnd. This gives the lace a nice foundation. This also a good place to put in a “lifeline”.

STITCH PATTERN

Row 1 (RS): K1, *K3, yo, sk2p, yo; repeat from * to last st, k1.
Row 2: Purl.
Row 3: K1, *yo, sk2p, yo, k3; repeat from * to last st, k1.
Row 4: Purl.

Repeat rows 1-4. Knit in pattern for 1/2”, ending with a row 3.

MAKING THE THUMB HOLE

Working the mitt flat, purl to EOR.

Continue to work the pattern FLAT for approx. 2”. HOWEVER, at the beginning of each row, slip the first stitch. The slipping of the stitch will give a tidier look to the thumb hole.

Your hand is no doubt different from mine. Use your brain and good sense to decide how big to make the thumb hole.

PAST THE THUMB HOLE

When the thumb hole is big enough for you, resume knitting in the round. This is another good place for a “lifeline”.

Knit in pattern, in the round for 1/2” to 1”, depending on the size of your hand.

K 1 round.

Knit 1×1 rib for 1/2” (or longer, if youʼd like).

Bind off very loosely (or the mitt will be tight around your knuckles) and weave ends in.

At this point, you can gently wet the mitts and block them (showing the mitts who is boss), or wear as-is. I wear them as-is.

Now…do this all again to make another one for your other hand.

THE LAST WORD

You can download a free PDF of this pattern by going to my Ravelry page (OpinionatedQuaker). If you like the pattern, please tell your friends, repost this article, re-tweet, and share the love!

Wear in joy and good health!