Mittens are one of those little magical objects that comfort and warm us up, and even a little more than our fingertips when they have been knitted with love! It was to protect my Anatole’s chubby hands that I made this little rounded design a little more than ten years ago, with a pretty gusseted thumb, which turned out to be particularly ergonomic and perfect for staying agile while being warm.
For this 2022 version, I have chosen to revisit the pattern with our yarn Pénélope for its roundness which highlights the thumb design and its luxurious softness which easily transforms the little knitted things into a very appreciated gift potential 🙂 These mittens could be matched with the “Kled” cowl for example for a nice outfit to put under the tree!
I’ve worked on eight different sizes so that everyone will find a mitt to suit their needs and I hope you’ll enjoy wrapping up those you love this winter with it!
Sizes: 1-2 yr (3-5 yr, 6-8 yr, 8-12 yr) (S, M, L, XL)
Palm circumference (without thumb): 12.5 (13.5, 14.5, 15.5) (16.5, 17.5, 18.5, 19) cm / 5 (5.3, 5.7, 6.1) (6.5, 6.9, 7.3, 7.5)”
Note: these mittens can be worn tight-fitting for more freedom of movement and you can choose a size with a negative palm circumference ease up to -2 cm / 0.8″ from your actual palm circumference.
Total height of mittens (adjustable): approx. 14.5 (18, 19.5, 21) (22.5, 24, 27, 28.5) cm / 5.7 (7, 7.7, 8.3)(8.6, 9.5, 10.6, 11.2)” including 4 (5, 5, 5) (5, 5, 6, 6) cm / 1.6 (2, 2, 2)(2,2, 2.4, 2.4)” of ribbing.
Yarn: Pénélope (90 % organic Merinos d’Arles / 10 % mulberry silk, 133m / 50g) approx. 30 (35, 40, 45) (50, 60, 70, 80) g or 1 (1, 1, 1) (1, 2, 2, 2) balls. Shown in “badiane” for the adult M size and “armoise” for the 3-5 yr size.
Gauge: 22 sts x 32 rows with the largest DPN’s in 10 x 10 cm / 4″x 4″ in Stockinette stitch
Needles: 3,5 mm / US 4 and 3 mm / US 3 DPN’s (one size to knit the gauge and one size smaller)
Notions: two markers, tapestry needle.
Abbreviations:
st: stitch(es)
BOR: beginning of round
k: knit / p: purl
rnd(s) : round(s)
Sl: slip
M1R: with your left needle, lift the running thread between the stitch just worked and the next one from back to front, knit through front loop (= 1 st increased)
M1L: with your left needle, lift the running thread between the stitch just worked and the next one from front to back, knit through back loop (= 1 st increased)
k2tog: knit 2 sts together (= 1 st decreased).
ssk (slip, slip, knit): sl one st as if to knit, sl one st as if to purl, knit these two stitches together through back loop (= 1 st decreased).
INSTRUCTIONS
Cuff:
With smaller DPNs, CO loosely 26 (28, 30 32) (34 36, 38, 40) sts.
Place a BOR marker (BOR) and join in the round being careful not to twist.
Work in 1 x 1 rib (k1, p1) for 4 (5, 5, 5) (5, 5, 6, 6) cm / 1.6 (2, 2, 2)(2,2, 2.4, 2.4)” or the desired length.
Gusset for left mitten:
With the larger DPNs:
Setup rnd: k3, place M, k to end of round. Note: you have now 2 markers on the rnd, BOR and M.
Rnd 1 (increase rnd): k to 1 st before M, M1R, k1, sl M, k to end of rnd (= 1 st increased).
Rnd 2: knit.
Repeat rnds 1 and 2, 0 (1, 4, 7) (8, 9, 10, 11) more times. You should have a total of 4 (5, 8, 11) (12, 13, 14, 15) sts between BOR and M and 27 (30, 35, 40) ( 43, 46, 49, 52) sts in total.
Then work round 1 (increase round) 11 (11, 9, 7) (7, 7, 7, 7) more times. You should have a total of 15 (16, 17, 18) (19, 20, 21, 22) sts between BOR and M and 38 (41, 44, 47) (50, 53, 56, 59) sts in total.
Next rnd (thumb and hand separation): k to 1 st before M, place on waste yarn the next 12 (13, 14, 15) (16, 17, 18, 19) sts and remove M, CO 1 st, place M, CO 1 st, k to end of rnd.
You should have a total of 28 (30, 32, 34) (36, 38, 40, 42) sts on the needles and 12 (13, 14, 15) (16, 17, 18, 19) sts on hold.
Gusset for right mitten:
With the larger DPNs:
Setup rnd: k to 2 sts before end of rnd, place M, k to end of rnd. Note : you have now 2 markers on the rnd, BOR and M.
Rnd 1 (increase rnd): k to M, sl M, k1, M1L, k to end of rnd (= 1 st increased).
Rnd 2: knit.
Repeat rnds 1 and 2, 0 (1, 4, 7) (8, 9, 10, 11) more times. You should have a total of 3 (4, 7, 10) (11, 12, 13, 14) sts between BOR and M and 27 (30, 35, 40) ( 43, 46, 49, 52) sts in total.
Then work round 1 (increase round) 11 (11, 9, 7) (7, 7, 7, 7) more times. You should have a total of 14 (15, 16, 17) (19, 20, 21, 22) sts between BOR and M and 38 (41, 44, 47) (50, 53, 56, 59) sts in total.
Next rnd (thumb and hand separation): k to 11 (12, 13, 14) (15, 16, 17, 18) sts before M, place on waste yarn the next 12 (13, 14, 15) (16, 17, 18, 19) sts and remove M, CO 1 st, place M, CO 1 st, k to end of rnd.
You should have a total of 28 (30, 32, 34) (36, 38, 40, 42) sts on the needles and 12 (13, 14, 15) (16, 17, 18, 19) sts placed on hold.
Palm:
Knit one round.
Next rnd (decrease rnd): k to 2 sts before M, ssk, remove M, k2tog, k to end of rnd. You should have a total of 26 (28, 30, 32) (34, 36, 38, 40) sts on the needles (and 12 (13, 14, 15) (16, 17, 18, 19) sts placed on hold).
Work in St st until mitten measures 9 (10.5, 12.5, 14.5) (16, 18, 19.5, 21) cm / 3.5 (3.9, 4.9, 5.7)(6.3, 7, 7.7, 8.3)” from after the ribbing part or approx. 1.5 cm / 0.6 ” less than the desired length.
Top of the mitten:
Decrease rnd 1: work 6 (7, 7, 8) (8, 9, 9, 10) times (k2, k2tog), k2 (0, 2, 0) (2, 0, 2, 0) sts. You should have a total of 20 (21, 23, 24) (26, 27, 29, 30) sts.
Next rnd: knit.
Decrease rnd 2: work 6 (7, 7, 8) (8, 9, 9, 10) times (k1, k2tog), k2 (0, 2, 0) (2, 0, 2, 0) sts. You should have a total of 14 (14, 16, 16) (18, 18, 20, 20) sts.
Next rnd: knit.
Decrease rnd 3: k2tog to end of rnd. You should have a total of 7 (7, 8, 8) (9, 9, 10, 10) sts.
Decrease rnd 4: k2tog to end of rnd. You should have a total of 4 (4, 4, 4) (5, 5, 5, 5) sts.
Cut yarn and thread through remaining live stitches. Pull tight and weave it on the wrong side.
Thumb:
Place the held sts on the largest DPNs. Pick up 1 st at the base of the thumb at the right of these sts, k the next 12 (13, 14, 15) (16, 17, 18, 19) sts and pick up again 1 st at the base of the thumb, place M to indicate BOR. You should have a total of 14 (15, 16, 17) (18, 19, 20, 21) sts.
Knit one round.
Next rnd (decrease rnd): k2tog, k to 1 st before M, ssk, sl M. You should have a total of 12 (13, 14, 15) (16, 17, 18, 19) sts.
Work in St st until the thumb measures 2.5 (3, 3.5, 4) (4.5, 5, 5.5, 6) cm / 0.1 (1.2, 1.4, 1.6) (1.8, 2, 2.2, 2.4)” from the base of the thumb or 1 cm / 0.4″ less than the desired length.
Top of the thumb:
Decrease rnd 1: work 4 (4, 4, 5) (5, 5, 6, 6) times (k1, k2tog), 0 (1, 2, 0) (1, 2, 0, 1) sts. You should have a total of 8 (9, 10, 10) (11, 12, 12, 13) sts.
Next rnd: knit.
Decrease rnd 2: work 4 (4, 5, 5) (5, 6, 6, 6) times (k2tog), 0 (1, 0, 0) (1, 0, 0, 1) sts. You should have a total of 4 (5, 5, 5) (6, 6, 6, 7) sts.
Cut yarn and thread through remaining live stitches. Pull tight and weave it on the wrong side.
Finishing:
Weave in all remaining ends and in doing so, fill the small holes at the base of the thumb.
Give your mittens a good nice bath, block to dimensions and make some people happy!
Don’t hesitate to share your creations on Ravelry or on IG with the #DRNmouflesimpromptues, we will be very happy to discover them!
