Pattern: Eunny Jang link Yarn: Louet Gems Pearl, in color 02 (tobacco) and Koigu Premium Merino, in color 1500 (deep teal) Yardage: 1 50 gram ball (about 180 yards) each (I hope) Yarn Source: Clover Hill Yarn Shop and Woolstock Yarn Shop Needles: 2.00mm (US 0) Addi Turbo circular needles and 2.75mm (US 2) Brittany Birch DPNs Gauge: 8 sts/inch over pattern Modifications: --

A pair is made of two identical, reversible mitts. I've used two fingering-weight Merinos, but jumperweight Shetland, sock yarns, or any other yarn of the right weight would work just as well.

These would be an excellent first project for a novice colorwork knitter - they're small and snappy and dead-simple, the pattern is easy to memorize and predict (and they're worked in the round, so you'll learn to read your knitting), and they'll teach you some shaping basics.

I will collect this into a printer-friendly PDF for free download eventually, but the HTML version follows below. Do let me know of any questions, or anything that needs clarification - I'll incorporate all of it into the PDF version. I'll also be sharing some first-time colorwork tips and illustrating how I do some of the methods called for in the next couple days. Additional resources can be found here for the Italian Tubular Cast-On, and here for the Tubular bind off/kitchener rib bind off.

Endpaper Mitts

Gauge, Needles and Notions

(see below for sizing notes)

For Women's Small: 32 sts/40 rows to 4" in Chart A For Women's Medium: 30 sts/40 rows to 4" in Chart A For Women's Large: 28 sts/36 rows to 4" in Chart A

Recommended needles: for SMALL, set of 5 2.75mm (US 2) DPNs. For MEDIUM: set of 5 3.00mm DPNs. For LARGE: set of 5 3.25mm (US 3) DPNs. For all sizes: set of 5 2.00mm (US 0) DPNs. You may find that colorwork is smoother and gauge easier to maintain on wooden needles rather than slick metal. As always, check your gauge before beginning with a swatch in the round.

Other notions: blunt tapestry needle.

Sizes and Fit Notes

This pattern uses gauge changes to fit three different sizes. To determine your size, wrap a flexible tape measure around the knuckles of your dominant hand, excluding the thumb, and find the circumference.

Small....6" - 6.5" Medium....7" - 7.5" Large....8" - 8.5"

The mitts are intended to fit snugly; if in doubt, go down a size. chart An Important Note on This Pattern

For your convenience, the full shaping lines of the thumb gusset have been provided in chart form (Chart B). When working this section of the piece, the chart must be mirrored for the back of the work. For example, for Row 2 of the chart, you would read from right to left as usual, work a purled "seam" stitch (not included on chart) and then read from left to right for the second half. As straight sections are symmetrical, Chart A is always read from right to left.

Abbreviations

k: knit m1: make 1 (lifted bar increase) p: purl sl1 wyib: slip 1 stitch as if to purl, holding working yarn behind stitch; sl1 wyif: slip 1 stitch as if to purl, holding working yarn in front of stitch; st, sts: stitch, stitches

Detailed Instructions

Cuff

Using the Italian tubular cast-on method and main color, cast on 56 stitches onto a single smaller DPN. Work the first two rows flat as follows:

Row 1: *k1, sl1wyif, repeat from * to end Row 2: *k1, sl1wyif, repeat from * to end

Distribute stitches equally onto 4 smaller DPNs (14 sts on each needle). Join, being careful not to twist.

Next round: *k1, p1, repeat from * to end of round.

Continue to work in k1, p1 ribbing for 13 rows more. Attach contrast color and change to larger needles.

Begin Colorwork chart Next round: *Work Row 1 of Chart A across 27 stitches, p1 in main color (this establishes a purled "seam" stitch at the side of the work). Repeat from * once more to end.

Continue to work in Chart A as set until 3 full 10-row repeats have been worked, continuing to work purled "seam" stitches as established.

Begin Thumb Gusset

chart Next round: *Work Row 1 of Chart B across 27 stitches, p1 in main color, repeat from * to end. Next round: Work across Chart B to first false "seam" stitch, m1 in pattern, p1 in main color, m1 in pattern, work Row 2 of Chart B (working from left to right), p1..

Continue as set, working an increase round as above every 3rd row 8 times more. 75 sts total, 18 increased.

Form Thumb

Next round: work Chart B across 27 stitches. Place next 19 sts (9 colorwork sts, 1 purl st, 9 colorwork sts) on a piece of spare yarn for thumb. Cast on 1 st over gap; work Chart B across 27 sts, p1 in main color.

Palm

Next round: *Work Chart B across 27 sts, p1 in main color, repeat from * to end of round.

Continue to work as set until Chart B ends, continuing to work purled "seam" stitches as established.

Work one full repeat of Chart A as established.

Next round: *Work Row 1 of Chart A across 27 sts, p1 in main color, repeat from * to end of round.

Break contrast color.

Ribbing

Switch to smaller DPNs.

Set-up Round *K27, p1, repeat from * to end of round. Round 1: *k1, p1, repeat from * to end of round.

Continue to work in k1, p1 ribbing for 4 rounds more.

Set-up Round 1: *k1, sl1wyif, repeat from * to end of round. Set-up Round 2: *sl1wyib, p1, repeat from * to end of round.

Bind off using tubular method (kitchener rib bind-off).

Thumb Ribbing

Put held thumb stitches back on 2 smaller needles. Re-attach main color at first stitch after "seam" stitch.

Set-up Round: K across 9 sts; with a new needle, pick up and k 3 stitches across gap; k across 9 stitches to end of round, p1. 22 sts total. Round 1: *k1, p1, repeat from * 3 times more. Ssk, p1, k2tog, p1. (K1, p1) to end of round. 20 sts total, 2 sts decreased. Round 2: *k1, p1, repeat from * to end of round.

Continue to work in k1, p1 ribbing for 3 rounds more.

Set-up Round 1: *k1, sl1wyif, repeat from * to end of round. Set-up Round 2: *sl1wyib, p1, repeat from * to end of round.

Bind off using tubular method (kitchener rib bind-off).

Work a second mitt in the same way.

Finishing

Weave in all ends. Soak in cool water with rinse-free wool wash for 15 minutes; drain thoroughly by squeezing gently against side of emptied sink. Roll in a thirsty towel and stand or lean on the package to extract as much water as possible. Block over a cylinder of the correct circumference, or flat on a non-absorbent surface with pins.

Posted by Eunny on November 16, 2006 02:07 PM | Permalink