22-11-2015

I’m making a smaller than small size (despite my large hands) because - between my loose knitting (necessitating going down a needle size) and the fact that I’m using aran weight yarn - I found the original number of cast on stitches for small (33) yielded a really wide circumference. Moreover, the yarn is super wash. It always loosens.

23-11-2015

I’m sizing like this using aran weight yarn on size 5 needles, doing seed stitch:

Cast on 29 stitches

7.5 inches to thumb cast off to waste yarn (to hold stitches)

Number of stitches put on waste yarn: 4

5 inches from thumb cast on to tip of finger (i.e. where the decreases begin)

23-11-2015

Knitting the mitten top

With my smaller than S/M size (29 st cast on), the tip of the mitten is made like this:

When you get to the correct height, the tip of the 3rd finger (5 inches from thumb opening), begin decrease rows of the tip:

Knit 1 round

Next round: K2tog, (k1, k2tog) repeat bracket to end of round (19 stitches)

Next round: K1, (k2tog), repeat bracket to end of round (10 st)

Next round: (k2tog), repeat from bracket to end of round (5 st)

Next round: Bind off by pulling the yarn through the 5 remaining stitches and weaving in the end.

29-11-2015

When knitting thumb, make sure the needles point from right to left on the palm of the mitten (into the right legs of the relevant stitches). Pick up the extra 3 stitches on the side that looks like it needs it.

Don’t worry about whether you start with K1 or P1 as long as you maintain the seed stitch.

Make sure you pick up 3 extra stitches to maintain the seed stitch pattern.

Don’t worry about picking up the additional 2 stitches. Just stay at 11 stitches. You can stretch during blocking as necessary.

When casting off at the tip (after @2.6 inches):

Next Round: Knit.

Next Round: k1, (K2tog) 5 times -10 stitches remain

Next Round: K2tog 5 times. 5 stitches remain.

Next round: Bind off by pulling the yarn through the 5 remaining stitches and weaving in the end.

05-12-2015

In the end, I gave these to my friend Sandra. I just don’t love mitts - which I knew before I started. I was hoping these would transcend all the others. I might try making these again, but prob not soon…

If I do, need to remember, for blocking:

• L = 12.75” from tip to cuff
• W = 3.75”
• Thumb L = 3.25”
• Thumb W = 1.5” flat (or 3” circumference)
• L (thumb flap crease to tip of mitten) = 5”