Wintery Mittens and Hat

Early in November, while in Seattle, and getting ready to happily push a stroller through the snow, I knew I needed a good pair of wintery mittens and hat! 

Once I returned home, I ordered yarn, gathered supplies, designed and knitted the Wintery Mittens and Hat.  I would be ready for our New Year's visit!  
(And the pattern is ready to publish in celebration of Groundhog Day)

Wintery Mittens

Marilynn Blacketer '18

 

The Wintery Mittens are a companion to the Wintery Hat. They are designed left & right hand neutral, and if finished neatly, reversible! The mittens are worked from wrist to fingers in bulky weight yarn, with a gusset-afterthought thumb. They can be knit in a weekend, or two, making them a perfect accessory, gift, or for charity. This may be considered an intermediate level pattern because knowledge of stitch construction is helpful.

Finished sizes:

Adult: Flat 6”, stretches to 12”circumference, height 12”

Child: Flat 5”, stretches to 10”circumference, height 10”

Infant: Flat 4”, stretches to 8”circumference, height 8”

Gauge: (size #8 needles) 6 stitches =1” flat 2x2 ribbing; Adjust needle size to match gauge.

Materials:

Yarn: Wool or wool blend in bulky weight;

Adult: 200 yards/7oz; (two skeins);   Child 125yds/3.5oz;   Infant: 95yds/2.5oz

Photo: Wintery Mittens are knit in Knit Picks Chroma Twist Bulky; color: Lupine

Needles: Two Size US#8, 16”or 24” circular needles, set Size US#8 double pointed needles

(I prefer to knit both mittens at the same time on two circular needles.

KNITTING circles around SOCKS by Antje Gillingham is an excellent resource for getting started.)

Notions: Stitch markers, tapestry needle, 2 yards different color yarn, (smaller spare) set double pointed needles

Abbreviations: CO = cast on       K = knit       p = purl      k2tog= knit 2 stitches together p2togbl=purl 2 stitches together through the back loop       MC = main color      pm=place marker

sm=slip marker      Rnd/s = rounds       st/s = stitch/es      M1=make one stitch

(I prefer the M1 (m1tbp): place point of working (right-hand) needle behind other needle, inserting needle from the top through the purl stitch below next stitch, and knit, then knit the stitch above.)

Directions: Make two mittens. Directions are written for size adult [child, infant in brackets]

Use the long-tail cast-on method, with two Size US #8, 16” circular needles, 

cast on 40 [36, 32] stitches.     Place marker & join together by knitting first stitch being careful not to twist. (20 [16&20, 12]sts per two needles)

Cuff Rnds: *Knit 2, purl 2; repeat from * to end

Work mittens 6”[4”, 3”]

For a deeper cuff, work extra rounds before working the thumb gusset and opening.

Thumb gusset:

Rnd 1: K2, p2, pm, (M1,k1)twice, pm, p2, *k2, p2; repeat from * to end.

Rnd 2: K2, p2, sm, k4, sm, p2, * k2, p2: repeat from * to end.

Rnd 3: K2, p2, sm, M1,k1, k2, M1,k1, sm, p2, * k2, p2; repeat from * to end.

Rnd 4: K2, p2, sm, k6, sm, p2, * k2, p2; repeat from * to end. (44 [40, 36])sts

Thumb opening: K2, p2, drop MC yarn, with a strand of different colored yarn (working between markers), k6, turn and p6 back. Drop colored strand, pick up MC, k2, p2, k2 across 6 stitches, p2, then * k2, p2; repeat from * to the end. Remove markers, and the thumb will be put in later.

Hand Rnds: Continue * K2, p2; repeat from * to end

Continue to work mittens 5” [3.5”, 2.5”] from thumb marker, then begin the finger decreases.

Rnd 1: * K2, p2togtbl; repeat from * to end (making the mittens very reversible)

Rnd 2: * K2, p1; repeat from * to end

Rnd 3: * K2tog, p1; repeat from * to end

Rnd 4: * K1, p1; repeat from * to end

Rnd 5: * K2tog; repeat from * to end

Cut 12” yarn, and thread end through remaining stitches.

Pull together, and tie off neatly for a very reversible mitten.

Thumb: Carefully slide the 6sts below, and 6sts above the colored yarn to 2 (smaller spare) double pointed needles. Carefully remove the colored yarn.

Attach MC yarn, working with Size US #8, double pointed needles, knit 2, purl 2, knit 2, then pick up 2 stitches and purling at the end of each needle, working one round. (You'll have the rib pattern established, and 8sts on the two needles. This will help avoid “holes” on the sides, and offer comfort for the thumb.) Now work the thumb onto 3 double pointed needles, or two circular needles.

Thumb Rnds: * K2, p2; repeat from * to end.

Work the thumb 2.5” [2”, 1.5”] then begin the thumb decreases.

[Infant: Work Rnds 1, 3, 5]

Rnd 1: * K2, p2togbl; repeat from * to end

Rnd 2: * K2, p1; repeat from * to end

Rnd 3: * K2tog, p1; repeat from * to end

Rnd 4: * K1, p1; repeat from * to end

Rds 5: * K2tog; repeat from * to end

Cut 12” yarn, and thread end through remaining stitches.

Pull together, and tie off neatly for a very reversible mitten.

Finishing: Weave in tails. Make the second mitten.

Wintery Hat

Marilynn Blacketer '18

The Wintery Hat is a companion to the Wintery Mittens. The hat can be knit in a weekend, or two, making it a perfect gift, accessory or for charity. This may be considered an advanced beginner level pattern because knowledge of stitch construction is helpful. If finished neatly, it's reversible!

Finished sizes:

Adult: flat 14”, stretches to 22”circumference, height 13”

Child: flat 12”, stretches to 20”circumference, height 11”

Infant: flat 10”, stretches to 16”circumference, height 9”

Gauge: (size #8 needles) 6 stitches =1” flat 2x2 ribbing. Adjust needle size to match gauge.

Materials: Yarn: Wool or wool blend in Bulky weight

Adult: 140 yard/5oz (possibly two skeins); Child: 125 yards /3.5 oz; Infant: 100 yards/2.5 oz

Photo: Wintery Hat is knit in Knit Picks Chroma Twist Bulky; color: Lupine

Needles: Size US#8, 16”, [16, 12”], circular needles, set size US#8 double pointed needles

Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle

Abbreviations: CO = cast on      k=knit      k2tog = knit 2 stitches together      p = purl

p2togbl= purl 2 stitches together through the back loop       Rnd/s = round/s      sts = stitches

Directions: Directions are written for size adult [child, infant in brackets] (Notes in Italic)

Use the long-tail cast-on method, with size US#8, 16” [16”, 12”] circular needles, cast on 80, [72, 64] stitches. Place marker & join together by knitting first stitch being careful not to twist.

Hat Rnds: * Knit 2, purl 2; repeat from * to end

Work hat 12”, [10”, 8”]. (10 to 7 yards/grams remaining for crown decreases)

For a taller hat, or deeper fold-up brim work extra rounds before starting the crown decreases.

Crown Decreases: Change to double pointed needles when needed.

Rnd 1: * Knit 2, p2togbl; repeat from * to end (making the hat very reversible)

Rnds 2, 3: * Knit 2, purl 1; repeat from * to end

Rnd 4: * K2tog, purl 1; repeat from * to end

Rnds 5, 6: * Knit 1, purl 1; repeat from * to end

Rnds 7, 8: * K2tog; repeat from * until 10 [9, 8] sts remain.

Finishing: Cut 12” yarn, and thread end through remaining stitches.

Pull together, and tie off neatly for a reversible hat.

This pattern is available on  marilynnsgardenknitdesign.blogspot.com.

Wintery Mittens and Hat pattern pdf is available on Ravelry (login needed)

Copyright 2018, Marilynn Blacketer. All rights reserved. 2-02-18

For pattern support please contact: marilynnblacketer@gmail.com

Here are photos of the process: 

I gathered supplies.

 

I balled the yarn, and selected the two most similar to work the mittens.  The third would be worked into the hat.

I worked the cuff, gusset, and ready to work in the scrap yarn for the afterthought thumb.

 

Holidays and family arrived, I finished the mittens, and hat forgetting to take progress photos.

Wintery Mittens and Hats were ready for a New Year's Day adventure.

This pattern is available on  marilynnsgardenknitdesign.blogspot.com.

Wintery Mittens and Hat pattern pdf is available on Ravelry (login needed)

Copyright 2018, Marilynn Blacketer. All rights reserved. 2-02-18

For pattern support please contact: marilynnblacketer@gmail.com