Fallberry fingerless mitts: Knitty Winter 2011

by Anne Hanson

These cozy fingerless mitts in two sizes feature a fitted thumb gusset and deeply-textured openwork pattern. Inspired by the shapes and colors of berries that accessorize bare branches during winter, these mitts add a similar touch of bright freshness to winter outerwear.

Knit up in sportweight yarn, these are a light, but substantial layer to wear indoors or out. These mitts work up quickly in the round for a dashing fall/winter accessory to keep or give away.

Substituting yarn weights and/or needles may result in an overall variation in size.

model: Anne Hanson

photos: David Whitfield

SIZE
S[L] (shown in size large)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
5.5[6.5] inches (unstretched) to fit hands up to 7.5[8.5] inches around palm

MATERIALS
Yarn
Slackford Studio Pathway Sport [100% Superwash Merino; 275 yd/251 m per 100g/3.5 ounces skein]; color: Roast Carrots; 1 skein

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below -- every knitter's gauge is unique]
1 set US 2/2.75mm double-point needles
OR
1 long US 2/2.75mm circular needle for magic loop method
OR
2 shorter US 2/2.75mm circular needles for two-circulars method

Notions
stitch markers
yarn needle
waste yarn

GAUGE

28 sts/40 rounds = 4 inches in stockinette stitch (unblocked)
30 sts/36 rounds = 4 inches in pattern stitch (unblocked, stretched)

PATTERN NOTES
[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]

M1: Use your favorite M1 or the Raised Increase from this page.

Textured pattern:
Use chart or written instructions as you prefer.
Chart shows 1 repeat of the motif; work 6[7] times per rnd.
Read every chart row from right to left

Rounds 1 -4: [P1, k5, p1] around.
Round 5: [P1, ssk, k3, yo, p1] around.
Round 6: [P1, ssk, k2, yo, k1, p1] around.
Round 7: [P1, ssk, k1, yo, k2, p1] around.
Round 8: [P1, ssk, yo, k3, p1] around.
Rounds 9-12: [P1, k5, p1] around.
Round 13: [P1, yo, k3, k2tog, p1] around.
Round 14: [P1, k1, yo, k2, k2tog, p1] around.
Round 15: [P1, k2, yo, k1, k2tog, p1] around.
Round 16: [P1, k3, yo, k2tog, p1] around.

DIRECTIONS

Note: Throughout the pattern, instructions are arranged in order with small size first, followed by large size in parentheses, S(L). Where only one number occurs, it refers to both sizes.

Cuff
Loosely CO 42[49] sts. Divide sts over needles as you prefer, ensuring each needle has a multiple of 7 sts. Note or mark beginning of round.

Work the textured pattern for 2 repeats (32 rounds) to form the cuff.

Thumb gusset
Continuing pattern as established, work next rnd as follows:
Round 1: M1, place first gusset marker, work pattern to end of rnd, place second gusset marker, m1 in previous st. 44[51] total sts; 2 increases made.

Note: The 2 sts between the new markers are the start of the thumb gusset. From this point, the number of gusset sts will increase every 4th round to form a triangle.

Rounds 2-4: K to first gusset marker, slip marker, work in pattern to second gusset marker, slip marker, k to end of round.

Round 5: K to first gusset marker, m1, slip marker, work in pattern to second gusset marker, slip marker, m1, k to end of round.

Repeat Rounds 2-5 5[7] times MORE, then work Rounds 2-4 again, stopping last rnd one stitch before the second gusset marker. 56[67] total sts; 14[18] gusset sts between markers.

Divide thumb from mitt: slip the last 8[10] sts of the rnd and the first 8 [10] sts of the next round to a piece of scrap yarn (the 14 [18] gusset sts plus 1 purl st on either side). 16(20) total thumb sts on holder. 40[47] sts on needles. Gusset markers can be removed.

With working yarn, and using the backward loop method, CO 2 sts at end of rnd. 42[49] sts on needles.

Work next rnd of pattern as established, stopping before last stitch of round. Slip the last stitch from the end of the round to the start of the round without working it. This stitch will be the new first stitch of the round. Move your start of round marker or rearrange stitches as required.

Hand round: Work textured pattern around.

Continue working textured pattern in rounds as established until mitt measures 1.5[2] inches from thumb divide (or to desired length), ending pattern on nearest Round 3 or 11. BO all sts neatly while working next rnd of pattern.

Thumb
Place stitches from yarn holder onto needles as follows: place first and last stitch from holder on one needle, so that the “gap” is between them, then place the remaining sts onto the other needle(s).

Round 1: With RS facing, k1 (to the gap), then pick up and knit 2 sts in the thumb gap, knit remaining sts around. 18[22] thumb sts.

Knit 3 rnds.

Round 5: (K7[8], k2tog) twice 16[20] sts.

Ribbing rnd: [K2, p2] to end. Repeat this rnd 3 times more, binding off all sts neatly in rib on last rnd.

Work second mitt same as the first.

FINISHING
Weave in all loose ends on WS of work. To block, soak mitts in cool water with wool soap for 60 minutes. Rinse and roll in a towel to squeeze out excess moisture. Lay flat to air dry; turn and reshape pieces as needed.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

designername Knitspot owner and designer Anne Hanson, a life-long knitter with a background in the fashion and graphic design fields, began designing knitwear sometime in the 1970s. Anne, who teaches and writes about knitting, spinning, and designing at her blog, knitspot.com, lives and works in Ohio with David, who loves wool, too.

Anne’s background as a patternmaker/draper, technical designer, and costumer in New York City’s garment industry informs her work, providing a rich source of experience in garment construction and fit, as well as knowledge of a wide range of fibers and fabrics.

Anne’s design work/profile has been included in Knitty, The Knitter, Interweave Knits, and Twist Collective, Sock Club, Brave New Knits, as well as several upcoming publications. In addition, her designs have been commissioned for several popular sock and lace clubs, including the Rockin’ Sock Club®, the Woolgirl sock and lace clubs, the Yarn4Socks club, the Fearless Fibers clubs, and Dye Dreams Sock Club.