For your chilly handed friends.

The problem with starting a knitting blog at this time of year is that some of the things I'm knitting I have to keep secret, or there wont be any christmas surprises.  I'm sure there are a few of my family and friends that may think there isn't a lot more I could knit for them, but thats where they would be wrong. From bookmarks to slippers, scarves to doorstops, there is always something. So I thought I would share my super easy Fingerless mittens pattern, they are a perfect christmas gift, and knit up so quick there is time to make lots of pairs for all of your chilly handed friends. 

I've used this really cosy Drops, Eskimo Tweed yarn which I bought in the summer and have been really looking forward to using, it's one of those wools that you can't stop holding it's so soft. It's quite chunky and using it with 4mm needles creates a really warm and dense fabric. 

I have knitted this exact same pattern with an 8 ply - Double knit yarn and a 10 ply - worsted weight yarn and it worked just as well.

You will need:

2 50g Skeins of Drops, Eskimo Tweed.

1 pair of 4mm needles

1 stitch marker / 1 wool or darning needle /  a set of pins

Method:

Cast on 38 stitches

We start by knitting a Rib stitch. This give a great stretchy edge that doesn’t curl up.

Row 1 to Row 10 - K1, P1; repeat these two stitches to the end of 
the row.

Knit Stocking stitch

Row 11- K all stitches

Row 12- P all stitches

Repeat these 2 rows for Rows 13- Row 16; the last row will be purled,

Increasing the number of stitches

I have put a picture tutorial of knitting a stitch Front and back  (K1 FB) at the bottom of the pattern.

Row 17 - K3, K1 FB, knit all stitches to the last 4, K1 FB,  K3

Row 18 - P all stitches

Row 19 - K4, K1 FB, knit all stitches to the last 5, K1 FB, K4

Row 20 - P all stitches

Row 21 - K all stitches

Row 22 - P all stitches

 

Making the Thumb

Row 23 -  Cast on 2 stitches.  Work these two new stitches as follows - K1, K1 FB, Place marker  K to  the end of the row.

Row 24 - P all stitches

Row 25  - K1, K1 FB, K1,   Knit to the end of row

Row 26 - P all stitches

Row 27 - K1, K1 FB, K1 FB, K1, Knit to the end of the row

Row 28 -  P all stitches

Row 29 - K1, K1 FB, K1, K1 FB, K1, K1 FB, Knit to the end of the row

Row 30 - P all stitches

Row 31 - K1, K1 FB, K1, K1 FB, K1, K1 FB, K1, K1 FB, K1, Knit to the end of the row. There should be 13 stitches in front of the marker.

Row 32 - P all stitches

Row 33 - cast off 13 stitches and remove the marker. Knit to the end of the row.

Row 34 - 38 continue in stocking stitch

You have created this little fan shape for the thumb.

Finish with Rib

Row 39 to Row 43 - K1, P1, repeat these two stitches to the end of the row.

Cast off all stitches leaving a long tail.

Creating the seam:

It’s a good idea to pin the seam so you leave enough room for the thumb hole.

With the long tail from casting off, sew up the mitten with a darning needle 

Tie in all loose ends

You’re Done!!

Knitting a stitch Front and back (K1 FB) 

This is an easy way to increase stitches without creating holes in the fabric.

Knit the stitch as usual 

 Do not remove the stitch off the left needle. 

knit into the back of the same stitch. 

You can now remove the stitch from the left needle. 

If you do have a go at these mittens it would be great if you could share it on my Ravelry pattern page: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/supper-easy-fingerless-mittens

Happy Knitting!