Mittens :: A Simple Pattern Using Two Needles

All of our children from about the ages of 1 - 8 or so, have preferred wearing hand knit wool mittens to the store bought variety that tend to be stiff and hard for them to maneuver their little fingers.

I just wanted to share a simple two needle mitten pattern that I have come to use:

These fit a child 2 - 4 years.

Yarn:  Peace Fleece worsted Weight

Needles:  Size 4 and 7

Starting with the Cuff:  With size 4 needles, cast on 28 stitches.  Knit for 3" in a K2, P2 repeat across each row.

Change to size 7 needles and work 2 rows in stockinette stitch.

Thumb Gusset

Row 1:  K 13, PM, KFB, K1, KFB, PM, Knit to end

Row 2:  Purl

Row 3:  K to marker, sl marker, KFB, K to one stitch before marker, KFB, sl marker, knit to end

Repeat rows 2 and 3 until you have 13 stitches between markers.

Next row:  Purl

Thumb

Row 1:  Knit 26, Turn

Row 2:  Purl 5, P2tog, P6, Turn

Work 4 rows in stockinette stitch on these 12 stitches

Next Row:  K2tog 6 times

Leaving a 6" tail, cut yarn and thread tail through remaining stitches and pull tight.  Begin to stitch down side of thumb.

Top Shaping

Rejoin yarn to stitches on left needles with right side facing and knit to end.

Continue knitting in stockinette stitch until work measures 3 3/4 inches from top of cuff, ending with a Purl row.

Switch to top color if desired, leaving an 18" tail for later sewing.

Decrease

Row 1:  K2, K2tog, repeat across to last stitch

Row 2:  Purl

Row 3:  Repeat Row 1

Row 4:  Purl

Row 5:  K2tog across.

Break yarn, leaving a 7" tail.  Thread yarn onto yarn needle, run needle through remaining stitches.  Pull yarn, sew up.

Enjoy!