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Cost: $ $ $ $ $

Difficulty: • • • • •

Time: 5h00

A basic mitten using an "afterthought thumb".
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.

Sizes
Fits Womens medium to large and Mens small to medium.

Finished Measurements
Circumference (around hand): approximately 7 1/2 inches
Length: approximately 8 inches from fingertip to wrist

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

Notes
Mittens are knit in the round beginning at the cuff.
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.

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Alecia B. favorited Helping Hand Mittens 01 Aug 16:49
Lotusburger favorited Helping Hand Mittens 04 Jan 15:11

Step 1
Cuff

Using B doubled, cast on 32 sts. Divide over 3 double-pointed needles and join, making sure not to twist. Place marker for beginning of round. Work knit 1 tbl, purl 1 ribbing easy round for 3".
Step 2
Hand

Change to A. Knit 16 rounds even.
Step 3
Thumb Opening

With strand of cotton waste yarn, knit first 6 sts of round. Cut waste yarn and slip same 6 sts back to left-hand needle. Continue to knit every round with A for 4".
Step 4
Fingertip Decreases
Round 1: *Knit 4, k2tog; repeat from * around.
Round 2: *Knit 3, k2tog; repeat from * around.
Round 3: *Knit 2, k2tog; repeat from * around.
Round 4: *Knit 1, k2tog; repeat from * around.
Round 5: *K2tog; repeat from * around.

Cut yarn, leaving a 12" tail. Using tapestry needle, thread through remaining sts. Pull tightly and fasten off yarn.
Step 5
Thumb

Remove waste yarn from thumb opening, leaving live stitches above and below a hole. Put these sts on needles. Join yarn, knit across 6 sts below hole, pick up 2 sts on side of hole, knit across 5 sts across top of hole, pick up 2 sts on side of hole-15 sts. Knit around, decreasing evenly to 12 sts. Knit every round for 12 rounds. Next round: K2tog around next. Cut yarn, leaving a 12" tail. Using tapestry needle, thread tail through remaining sts. Pull tight and fasten off yarn. Weave in ends.

Make second mitten identical to first.