Marilynn'sGardenKnitDesign: Crazy 8 Cable Mittens and Hat

Taking inspiration from the mission and guidelines of Wool-Aid, Crazy 8 Cable Mittens and Hat are designed to create a pair of warm woolen mittens and hat for a child who lives in the coldest climate and has the least access to resources. The cables are worked with 5 stitches held to back, and 3 knit from the left. The set is worked with rhythmic rib patterns, can be knit in a weekend or two, and makes the mittens and hat perfect for a charity such as Wool Aid.

This may be considered an intermediate level pattern because knowledge of cable and stitch construction is helpful.

Finished size: Adult/teen

Mittens: flat 7”, stretch to 11” circumference;

height 12”

Hat: flat 14”, stretch to 22” circumference;

height 12”

Gauge: 5 stitches = 1” Adjust needle size to

match gauge.

Materials:

Yarn: bulky wool:150-300grams, 205-410yards

Mittens: 150grams, 205yards

Hat: 150grams, 205yards

Photo: Crazy 8 Mittens and Hat are knit in Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Bulky, color: Wine

Needles:

Mittens: Size US#8 (5mm) your choice: two 16”or 24”circular needles, or 9”circular needles, and

size US#8 set of double pointed needles

Hat: Size US#8 (5mm) 16”circular needles, and

size US#8 set of double pointed needles

Notions: Stitch markers, cable needle, tapestry needle, 2 yards yarn different color,

set of smaller double pointed needles

Abbreviations: k = knit p= purl Rnd/s=round/s yo= yarn over k2tog=knit 2 together

p2tog=purl 2 together st/s=stitch/es

M1= make one stitch

(Helpful hint: 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.)

Special Stitches:

t3 = twist3: slip one stitch, knit1, yarn over, knit1, pass slipped stitch over the three stitches

c8B = cable 8 Back: slip 5 stitches to cable needle and hold in back of work, knit 3 from the left-hand needle, then work the 5 stitches from cable needle as purl 2, knit 3.

Mitten Directions: Make two mittens.

Use the long-tail cast-on method, with size US#8, your choice of two16” circular needles, set of double pointed needles, or 9” circular needle.

The mittens are worked from wrist to fingers.

Cast on 40 stitches. Place marker & join together by knitting first stitch being careful not to twist.

Work ribbing as follows:

Rib rnds 1-13: * K2, p2; repeat form * to end. 40 sts (back of hand 16sts, palm 24sts)

Rib rnd 14: (M1, k2, p2)4 times; * k2, p2; repeat from * to end.

44sts (back of hand 20sts, palm 24sts)

Rib rnd 15: t3, p2, c8B, p2, t3, p2, * k2, p2; repeat from * to end.

Work mitten/s as follows:

Rnds 1- 4: (back of hand) (K3, p2)4 times, (palm) * k2, p2; repeat from * to end.

Rnd 5: t3, p2, (k3, p2) twice, t3, p2, * k2, p2; repeat from * to end.

Rnds 6 - 9: (K3, p2)4 times, * k2, p2; repeat from * to end.

Rnd 10: t3, p2, (k3, p2) twice, t3, p2, * k2, p2; repeat from * to end.

Rnds 11 -14: (K3, p2)4 times, * k2, p2; repeat from * to end.

Rnd 15: t3, p2, c8B, p2, t3, p2, * k2, p2; repeat from * to end.

Rnds 16- 19: (K3, p2)4 times, * k2, p2; repeat from * to end.

Rnd 20: t3, p2, (k3, p2)twice t3, p2, * k2, p2; repeat from * to end.

(The mittens are identical. The next five rounds will determine the right and left thumb placement.)

Right thumb gusset:

Rnd 21: (back of hand) (K3, p2)4times, then (palm)k2, p2, pm, (M1,k1)twice, pm, p2, *k2, p2; repeat from * to end.

Rnd 22: (K3, p2)4times, then k2, p2, sm, k4, sm, p2, * k2, p2; repeat from * to end

Rnd 23: (K3, p2)4times, then k2, p2, sm, M1,k1, k2, M1,k1, sm, p2, * k2, p2; repeat from * to end

Rnd 24: (K3, p2)4times, then k2, p2, sm, k6, sm, p2, * k2, p2; repeat from * to end. (48sts)

Right thumb opening:

Rnd 25:(back of hand) t3, p2, (k3, p2)twice, t3, p2, then (palm)k2, p2, drop MC yarn, with a strand of different colored yarn(working between markers), k6, turn, p6 back. Drop colored strand, pick up MC, k6 across 6 stitches once more, and continue p2, * k2, p2; repeat to end. The thumb will be put in later.

Left thumb gusset:

Rnd 21: (back of hand) (K3, p2)4times, then (palm)(k2, p2)4times, pm, (M1,k1)twice, pm, p2, k2, p2.

Rnd 22: (K3, p2)4times, then (k2, p2)4times, sm, k4, sm, p2, k2, p2.

Rnd 23: (K3, p2)4times, then (k2, p2)4times, sm, M1,k1, k2, M1,k1, sm, p2, k2, p2.

Rnd 24: (K3, p2)4times, then (k2, p2)4times, sm, k6, sm, p2, k2, p2. (48sts)

Left thumb opening:

Rnd 25: (back of hand) t3, p2, (k3, p2)twice, t3, p2, then (palm)(k2, p2)4times, drop MC yarn, with a strand of different colored yarn(working between markers), k6, turn, p6 back. Drop colored strand, pick up MC, k6 across 6 stitches once more, p2, k2, p2. The thumb will be put in later.

Continue to work mitten/s as follows: (remove markers)

Rnds 26- 29: (K3, p2)4 times; * k2, p2; repeat from * to end

Rnd 30: t3, p2, c8B, p2, t3, p2, * k2, p2; repeat from * to end

Rnds 31- 50: work mitten Rnds 1-20. (4.5” from yarn thumb marker)

Work mitten decreases as follows:

Rnd 1: (K3, p2)4times, * k2, p2; repeat from * to end.

Rnd 2: (K3, p2tog)4times, * k2, p2tog; repeat from * to end.

Rnd 3: (K1, k2tog, p1)4times, * k2, p1; repeat from * to end.

Rnd 4: * K2, p1; repeat from * to end.

Rnd 5: * K2tog, p1; repeat from * to end.

Rnd 6: * K1, p1; repeat from * to end.

Rnd 7: * K2tog; repeat from * to end.

Cut 12” yarn, and thread end through remaining stitches. Pull together, and tie off neatly.

Work thumb/s as follows:

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, k2, p2, k2, 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 1-13: * K2, p2; repeat from * to end.

Work the thumb 2.5” then begin the thumb decreases.

Work thumb decreases as follows:

Rnd 1: * K2, p2tog; repeat from * to end

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

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

Rds 4: * K2tog; repeat from * to end

Cut 12” yarn, and thread end through remaining stitches. Pull together, and tie off neatly.

Finishing: Weave in tails. Make the second mitten.

Hat Directions:

Use the long-tail cast-on method, with size US#8, 16” circular needles. Cast on 80 stitches.

Place marker & join together by knitting first stitch.

Work ribbing as follows:

Rib rnds 1-13: * K2, p2; repeat from * to end.

Rib rnd 14: * (M1, k2, p2)4times, k2, p2; repeat from * to end. 96sts

(Helpful hint: place markers after 24, 48, 72sts)

Rib rnd 15: * t3, p2, c8B, p2, t3, p2, k2, p2; repeat from * to end.

Work hat as follows:

Rnds 1- 4: * (K3, p2)4times, k2, p2; repeat from * to end.

Rnd 5: *t3, p2, (k3, p2) twice, t3, p2, k2, p2; repeat from * to end.

Rnds 6- 9: * (K3, p2)4times, k2, p2; repeat from * to end.

Rnd 10: *t3, p2, (k3, p2) twice, t3, p2, k2, p2; repeat from * to end.

Rnds 11-14: * (K3, p2)4times, k2, p2; repeat from * to end.

Rnd 15: *t3, p2, c8B, p2, t3, p2, k2, p2; repeat from * to end.

Complete hat rnds 1-15 three times, and hat rnds 1-5, then set up for crown decreases. (11” from CO)

Work crown decreases as follows: Work stitches on four double pointed needles.

Rnd 1: * (K3, p2)4times, k2, p2; repeat from * to end.

Rnd 2: * (K3, p2tog)4times, k2, p2tog; repeat from * to end.

Rnd 3: * (K1, k2tog, p1)4times, k2, p1; repeat from * to end.

Rnd 4: * K2, p1; repeat from * to end.

Rnd 5: * K2tog, p1; repeat from * to end.

Rnd 6: * K1, p1; repeat from * to end.

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

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

Pull together, and tie off neatly. Weave in ends.

The pattern is available on http://marilynnsgardenknitdesign.blogspot.com

The pattern pdf is available on Ravelry.com

For pattern support please contact: marilynnblacketer@gmail.com

Here are photos of the process:

I gathered supplies. I worked the mittens with two hanks of yarn.

I worked the mittens, with the thumb gusset, and ready to work the decreases at the fingers.

I worked the decreases and ready to thread through and tie off.

I organized supplies to work the thumbs.

I picked up the thumb stitches with smaller (US#4) needles.

I removed the other color yarn. I knitted and purled onto the size US#8 needles. I worked from the inside and out of one ball of yarn. This reserved the other ball for working the top of the hat. I had the two circular needles ready to work.