Wednesday, November 5, 2014

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!




5 comments:

  1. your 2 needle mitten pattern is how I discovered your blog a few years back...thanks for the pattern and the window into your family life. :)

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  2. Do you have a pattern for a 5-6 year old? I'd love to knit pairs for my granddaughter but lost my two needle pattern ages ago (when her mom was her age).

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  3. Thanks for the pattern - I find it easier to knit with two needles when you need a portable project. So this is perfect.

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  4. How can I increase for a 7 yr old and for myself. I love hand knit mittens???
    Many thanks. These look divine.

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  5. Thanks! My children are older ( 2 are adults) and I'd love to make lots of these mittens! 2 needles are so much easier! Do you have adjustments for older children and adults? Thanks!

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