Designer’s email: heidi@heidischlumpf.com

Designer's website: http://www.spiritualknitter.blogspot.com

Pattern Tested By : Mary Schlumpf

I’m one of those annoying people who starts her holiday shopping and crafting in late summer and early fall. This year I decided I wanted to knit something for all those aunts, uncles, godparents, grandparents, and other friends I like to give a handmade gift. I decided a little mitten ornament would be cute, but all the patterns I found on the Internet were knit flat and then sewn together. So, using my mother’s mitten pattern as a model, I created this Mini Mitten that’s knit in the round on double pointed needles. Although they are cute plain, I decided some embellishment was in order, so I cut up a thrifted felted sweater and added tree and holly shapes, accented by white buttons. I tied two together for an ornament, but they also would make nice package decorations. Or string a bunch together and make mitten garland. The possibilities are endless!

This pattern is a: Knit Pattern

Skill Level: Intermediate

Credits: Photos by Tom Wright

Materials:

Yarn:

Color #1: I believe mittens should be knit of wool, though any medium worsted weight yarn would do. I used Lion Brand Wool (100% wool) in Scarlet. One 3-ounce, 58-yard skein should yield at least eight mittens.

Knitting Needles:

Double Point Needles
US# 4/3.5 mm

Notions and Accessories:

One small stitch holder, yarn needle, glue, felt, buttons

Finished Product Measurements:

1.75 inches x 3.25 inches

Pattern Stitch :

Knitting and ribbing

Gauge: 24 stitches / 32 rows = 4 inch (10 cm) in pattern stitch (Although gauge is not that important for this project.)

Pattern:

Cast on 20 stitches. Divide stitches on three needles. (I usually do 6, 8, 6).

Ribbing: K2, P2 for five rounds.

K three rounds.

Place three stitches on stitch holder; cast on three stitches.

Knit 12 rounds.

For decrease: k2tog for one round; K one round; k2tog one round.

You should have 5 stitches. Using yarn needle, draw stitches together and tie off.

For thumb: Place three stitches from stitch holder on one needle. Pick up an additional four stitches around thumb opening. Divide among two or three needles.

Knit 7 rounds. K2tog three times, K1. Draw remaining 4 stitches together and tie off. Weave in ends, except for original end from cast on, if planning to tie two mittens together. Make second mitten. (This pattern makes left- and right-handed mittens.)

Finishing:

Mittens can be left plain or decorated. Use small scraps of felt to cut out holiday-themed shapes. Glue to mitten. Sew buttons on as accents. Tie two mittens together by cast-on ends.

 

 

 

 

Meet the Designer:

Heidi Schlumpf is a “spiritual knitter” in Chicago, where she also works as a writer and editor. Knitting and crafting keep her sane while she and her husband are waiting to adopt a son from Vietnam and a daughter from China.