Basic Mitten

*Note: This pattern is a shorthand version best used by those used to circular knitting and/or sock knitting.

Materials

• 250 yards of fingering weight/sock yarn (usually one skein's worth)
• size 2 or 3 knitting needles - the same you would use for socks
• 12 inches or so of a contrasting waste yarn in a similar weight -so it's easier to pick out later
• yarn needle
• Kitchner Stitch instructions
• scissors

1. Cast on number of stitches you would to make socks (for me that's 56, if I'm making socks for my Dad that's 72 stitches). Join in a circular fashion being careful not to twist. I arrange my stitches so that my three needles are as follows 1: 14 stitches, 2: 28 stitches, 3: 14 stitches. This is so that if and when I decrease for a mitten the decreases will align with the sides of my hand. In other words needle 1 has 1/4th of my stitches, 2 has 1/2, and 3 has 1/4th. Needles 1 and 3 are the palm side of my mitten and needle 2 is outward facing; this will also make adding a stitch pattern easy if so desired.
2. Use the ribbing of your choice for approximately 3"; or until the mitten will go over a watch without gaping for added grip. I prefer 2x2 ribbing.
3. Continue ribbing or knit straight until you have reached the top of the thumb joint. It's best if you determine this by trying the mitten on.
1. A gauntlet is like a fingerless mitten but its ribbing and straight stitch end near to the elbow but also stop when you have reached the top of the thumb joint.
4. At the beginning of a row, knit in the waste yarn for 10 stitches, 12 for a man's mitten.
5. Place the waste yarn stitches back on the beginning needle, tuck in ends into the tube of the mitten and knit as normal until:
1. If knitting a Fingerless mitten or gauntlet, knit straight until the palm ends and fingers begin; in other words just over the knuckles. You may want to add some ribbing or alternate purl, knit, purl rows before you cast off tightly.
2. If knitting a mitten, knit straight until just over your pinkie finger; then start decreasing as if you were knitting a toe of a sock. Decrease to about 10/8 stitches and kitchner the top.
6. Pick out waste yarn carefully and pick up 2-4 stitches for a final stitch count of 24 stitches. Knit in a circular fashion, either straight or in a ribbing of your choice for a closer fit, until just above the dark curve on your thumbnail. Decrease rapidly, 4 stitches each row, until 4 stitches remain and kitchner the top.
7. Weave in all ends and Enjoy!