by Ruth Bendig
Finished Size
7 1/2" circumference (about a women's size Medium)
Materials
For the Slytherin mittens pictured above I used Brown Sheep Nature Spun Worsted; MC = Tornado Teal/#121, CC = Silver Sage/#107
Suggestions for other Hogwarts house colors:
Hufflepuff: Impasse Yellow/#037 (MC), Pepper/#0338 (CC)
Ravenclaw: Blue Knight/#022 (MC), Silver Sage/#107 (CC)
Gryffindor: Bordeaux/#200 (MC), Sunburst Gold/#308 (CC)
*Note: I used the Magic Loop method to construct the mittens, including the thumb. You can also use two circular needles, double pointed needles, or a combination of the two methods (Magic Loop or two circular needles for the hand, with double pointed needles for the thumb).
Gauge
6 stitches = 1" in SS
Abbreviations
CO = cast on
MC = main color
CC = contrast color
STS = stitches
SS = stockinette stitch
PM = place marker
MIL = make one left
MIR = make one right
SSK = slip, slip, knit
K2TOG = knit two together
DP = double pointed needles
DIRECTIONS
Cast on 44 sts in MC. Arrange as evenly as possible on two circular or four double pointed needles. PM and join. Work K1, P1 ribbing for 3".
Change to SS. Knit one row, increasing one stitch at the end of the row. Total stitches: 45. Knit 1 round even.
Begin thumb gusset. Knit across 22 sts, PM. MIL, K1, MIR, PM. Knit to end. Total sts: 47; 3 gusset sts between markers. Knit 1 round even.
Knit increase round: Knit to marker, MIL, knit to next marker, MIR, slip marker, knit to end (you will increase two sts in every increase round). Increase in this manner every fourth round, until you have 15 sts between markers.
On the next round, place the sts between the markers (gusset sts) on waste yarn or stitch holder. Remove gusset markers, and increase 1 st on the left hand needle to close the gap. Knit to the end of the round. Total sts: 45.
Next round: change to CC, knit 3 rows.
Change to MC, knit 5 rows.
Change to CC, knit 3 rows.
Change to MC, knit straight until the mitten reaches the tip of the little finger (approximately 4 3/4").
Begin decreasing for top.
Round One: k1, ssk, knit to last three sts of needle 1 (end of needle 2 if using four double pointed needles), k2tog, k1. On needle 2 (3), k1, ssk, knit to last three sts on needle 2 (needle 4), k2tog, k1. Four sts decreased.
Round Two: knit
Repeat rounds 1 and 2 until 20 sts remain.
Repeat round 1 only until 8 sts remain.
You may close the mitten using Kitchener st or by breaking the yarn, threading the tail through the remaining sts and pulling tight. Fasten off.
Construct thumb. Place sts on needles, then pick up and knit 1 st over the gap and join. Total sts: 16.
Join and work in the round until the thumb reaches the top of the thumb (about 2" from pick up round).
Decrease for top: *k2tog; repeat from * until end of round. Break yarn, thread tail through remaining sts, pull tight. Fasten off.
Weave in ends, using tail of thumb yarn to darn any gaps.
Enjoy your mittens!
this pattern and image copyright Ruth Bendig 2005. Given here for personal use only.