Snug Bulky Mitten Pattern

Photo Credit: Erin Smith of Ship and Shape

This is one of my favorite mittens to make in #5 Bulky weight yarn. They do fit a little snug (which I love!), but if you need to add 1 stitch to each needle when starting the cuff (adding 4 sts total), feel free. Just omit the increase on Row 1 in "Directions for Body".

Abbreviations:
CO: Cast On
DPN: Double-pointed needles
st: Stitch
sts: Stitches
k: knit
p: purl
inc: increase
dec: decrease
sl: slip
ssk: slip, slip knit decrease
k2tog: knit two together decrease
***: See footnote

Things you need:
Set of five #10 1/2 size double-pointed needles
Set of five #11 size double-pointed needles
1 skein #5 Bulky weight Lamb's Pride Yarn (Approx. 125 yards)
Approx. 2 ft. waste yarn in similar weight as above yarn, but in a different color

Directions for Cuff:
With #10 1/2 needles, CO 20 sets across the 4 DPN

Connect in the round and k1, p1 to end of needle 1, ending with a k st.
***p1, k1 to end of needle 2, ending with a p st.
k1, p1 to end of needle 3, ending with a k st.
p1, k1 to end of needle 4, ending with a p st. You will know this is the end of row, because the cast on yarn will be hanging at this point (this is in leu of having a stitch marker potentially getting in the way).

Repeat this row until the cuff measures 2.5 inches

Directions for Body:
Row 1: k all sts with #11 needles, increasing 1 stitch per needle (for the inc, k first 2 sts on the needle, make a bar increase on the 3rd st, k to end. Do this on each needle) 24 sts
Row 2: k all sts
Repeat row 2 until entire mitten measures 4.5 inches

Mark Thumb: 
Right Mitten: On needle 1, k across 4 sts with waste yarn. Sl those same 4 sts back onto the needle. Pick up the body yarn and knit across them again. Continue knitting remaining sts.

Left Mitten: On needle 2, k 2, then k across next 4 sts with waste yarn. Sl those same 4 sts back onto the needle. Pick up the body yarn and knit across them again. Continue knitting remaining sts.

Continue knitting all rows until all work measures 8 inches

Decrease:
Decrease Row: ssk at beg of needle 1, k2tog at end of needle 2, ask at beg of needle 3, k2tog at end of needle 4.
Row 2: k all sts
Row 3: Work as dec row
Row 4: k all sts
Row 5: Work as dec row
Row 6: Work as dec row

You will now have 4 sets remaining. Cut the yarn to leave a 10 inch tail. Using a yarn needle, thread through the remaining sts. Pull tight and work in ends.

Flip your work inside out, so right side is visible.

Make Thumb:
Using your #11 needles, pick up 4 sts at top of thumb and 4 sts at the bottom. I usually just use two needles for this (with my third needle doing the knitting). Once all those guys are on there, you can remove your waste yarn (make sure they are really on there! Don't want to unravel anything!)

K across, picking up 1 st between top and bottom of thumb on both right and left sides of the thumb. You will have 10 sts total.

Knit in the round until the thumb measures 2.75 inches

On last row, k2tog to end (5 sts remain)

Cut yarn, leaving a 6 inch tail. Using a yarn needle, thread through the remaining sts. Pull tight and work in ends.


*** remember to always have your yarn to the front if you are purling, and to the back while knitting in this case. Switching needles can be tricky business, so you want to make sure you aren't accidentally wrapping around the needle creating a yarn over - A HOLE and extra stitch.


I think next I'm going to make a larger version of these, add a fringe cuff and felt them! Stay tuned!