Knit Erika Knight mittens :: free knitting patterns

Practical mittens made in k2, p1 rib and stocking stitch with a shaped thumb and simple cast-off edge finish. Made in a natural rare sheep breed wool with a generous rib cuff, which can either be turned down for a wrist-length mitten or kept up to extend way past the wrist so there's no gap between coat sleeve and mitten!

Size
One size to fit woman's average size hand

Materials
2 x 50g balls of light-weight DK wool yarn, such as Rowan British Sheep Breeds DK Light
Pair each of 4mm and 4.5mm knitting needles
Large blunt-ended sewing needle

Tension

22 stitches and 30 rows to 10cm square measured over stocking stitch using 4mm needles

To knit the mittens

Right mitten

Using 4.5mm needles cast on 44 sts and work in rib as folls:
Row 1 (RS) * K2, p1, rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 2 P2, * k1, p2, rep from * to end.
Rep last 2 rows until work measures 13cm from cast-on edge, ending with RS facing for next row.
Change to 4mm needles and cont in rib as set until work measures 24cm from cast-on edge, ending with RS facing for next row.
Cont in stocking stitch - knit one row and purl one row alternately - as folls:

Shape thumb gusset
Row 1 (inc) K22, inc knitwise into next stitch, k1, inc knitwise into next stitch, k19.
46 sts.
Row 2 Purl.
Row 3 Knit.
Row 4 Purl.
Row 5 (inc) K22, inc knitwise into next stitch, k3, inc knitwise into next stitch, k19.
48 sts.
Cont to inc 1 st on each side of thumb gusset on every 4th row until there are 56 sts.
Work 1 row straight.
Next row K37, turn.
Next row Inc twice knitwise into next stitch, p15, turn.

Next row Inc twice knitwise into next stitch, k to end of row.
18 sts.
** Beg with a purl row, work 7 rows in stocking stitch.
Cast off.
Cut working yarn leaving a long end. You will use to sew up the thumb seam.
With RH needle rejoin yarn, pick up and knit 4 sts at base of thumb, knit to end of row.
46 sts.
Beg with a purl row work 17 rows stocking stitch, ending with RS facing for next row.
Cast off. **

Left Mitten
Work to match Right Mitten, reversing position of thumb gusset as folls:

Shape thumb gusset
Row 1 (inc) K19, inc knitwise into next stitch, k1, inc knitwise into next stitch, k22.
46 sts.
Row 2 Purl.
Row 3 Knit.
Row 4 Purl.
Row 5 K19, inc knitwise into next stitch, k3, knit into front and back of next stitch, k22.
Cont to inc 1 st at each side of thumb gusset on every 4th row until there are 56 sts.
Work 1 row straight.
Next row K34, turn.
Next row Inc twice knitwise into next stitch, p15, turn.
Next row Inc twice knitwise into next stitch, k to end.
18 sts.
Complete as given for Right Mitten from ** to **.

To finish

Weave in any loose yarn ends. Lay the work out flat and gently steam the reverse side of the finished piece, taking care not to flatten the rib.
Join the side seam using mattress stitch.

This pattern is taken from 'Simple Knitting' by Erika Knight (Quadrille, £16.99).