Helping Hand Mittens by Lorna Miser

Helping Hand Mittens

Knitting
March 2009
Aran (8 wpi) ?
18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches
in Stockinette stitch with A
US 7 - 4.5 mm
268 yards (245 m)
Fits Womens medium to large and Mens small to medium
English

Pattern Description from Faith, Hope, Love, Knitting: “I’ve designed a basic mitten using an ‘afterthought thumb’ similar to the one Sheila was struggling with when we met. The thumb opening is created by knitting the thumb stitches with a long piece of scrap yarn, slipping those stitches back to the left needle and continuing to knit the rest of the hand as if nothing happened. Then at the very end, the scrap yarn is removed, leaving a hole and live stitches around it to pick up and knit the thumb. Have fun with it - and make a friend with it like I did.”

Skill Level: Intermediate

Size: Fits Womens medium to large and Mens small to medium

Finished Measurements:

  • Circumference (around hand): approximately 7½ inches
  • Length: approximate 8 inches from fingertip to wrist

Materials:

  • Naturally Vero (100% wool; 87 yd/80m per 50g skein), one skein 9 (A)
  • Naturally Mist (80% super fine kid mohair / 20% nylon; 181 yd/166m per 25g skein), one skein 0608 (B)
  • One yard of smooth cotton waste yarn, any color that contrasts with A (for stitch holder)
  • One set of four or five US #7 (4.5mm) double-pointed needles
  • Tapestry needle

Gauge: 18 sts and 24 rnds = 4 inch in Stockinette st with A

Notes: Mittens are knit in the round beginning at the duff. Stitches are left available for a thumb, which is knit last. Two identical mittens means there is neither a left mitten nor a right mitten.