Alethiometer Mitts
These fingerless gloves were inspired by the mitts Lyra wears in the Golden Compass movie. Last winter I improvised a pair with my handspun yarn, and now I've written up a pattern from my notes for anyone who's interested.
They are especially warm because of the flap that wraps around your fingers, and doubly so in the bulky wool/alpaca blend that I made the purple pair out of, Knit Picks Cadena.
This pattern has not been test-knit, except by me. If you find anything incorrect or confusing, contact me and I will correct it.
(Click for larger)
Full pattern below the cut.
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Lyra's gloves have no real thumb to speak of, so I preserved that in the pattern. If you would prefer to knit a thumb, instead of binding stitches off after the thumb gusset, place them on scrap yarn instead and knit the thumb afterwards.
Materials
Approx 4 oz of bulky-weight yarn (Shown: my own handspun, 120 yards; Less than 1.5 skeins Knit Picks Cadena [less than 200 yds], colorway Heath)
5 double pointed needles, size US 8 (5mm)
Yarn needle or crochet hook for sewing/weaving in ends
Gauge
In k1p1 ribbing, 5 sts = 1", unstretched.
The entire pattern is worked in k1p1 ribbing.
Right mitt:
Cast on 36 sts. Join in the round, being careful not to twist. Divide sts evenly between 4 needles.
Begin working in 1x1 rib.
Work in ribbing for 20 rows, or about 4".
Increase rows:
Row 21: kfb, knit to the last st of the second needle, pfb, knit to end
Row 22: pfb, knit to the last st of the second needle, kfb, knit to end
Knit 3 rows even.
Work increase rows.
Knit 2 rows even.
Work increase rows.
Knit 4 rows even.
Row 36: (kfb, p) 6 times, work even.
Row 37: Loosley BO 18 sts, work even.
Row 38: CO 6 sts, work even.
Work 8 rows even, working newly cast on sts in ribbing. 42 sts.
Row 47: Work even 6, BO 18, work to end of round.
Begin working back and forth. The first 6 sts of the round becomes the last 6 sts of the row.
Row 48 (WS): Work in ribbing to last 3 sts, BO 3.
Row 49 (RS): Sl1, work in ribbing to to last 3 sts, BO 3.
Row 50: Sl 1, work in ribbing to last 3 sts, BO 3.
Row 51 (RS): Sl 1, work even.
Row 52: BO 4, work even.
Work 3 rows even.
Row 56 (WS): Work to last 3, BO 3
BO all remaining sts, slipping the first st instead of knitting it and leaving a long tail at the end.
Finishing: Break yarn. Using the tail, sew the top flap to the right flap, creating a curved pocket for the fingers, and weave in ends.
Block if desired, being careful not to stretch out the ribbing.
Left mitt:
Work as right mitt until row 36.
Row 36: Work even 18 sts, (kfb, p) 6 times, work even.
Row 37: Work even 18 sts, loosely BO 18 sts, work even.
Row 38: Work even 18 sts, CO 6, work even.
Work 8 rows even, working newly cast on sts in ribbing. 42 sts.
Row 47: BO 18, work to last 3 sts, BO 3. Begin working back and forth.
Row 48 (WS): Sl 1, work in ribbing to last 3 sts, BO 3.
Row 49 (RS): Sl 1, work in ribbing to last 3 sts, BO 3.
Row 50: Sl 1, work even.
Row 51 (RS): BO 4, work even.
Work 3 rows even.
Row 55 (RS): Work to last 3 sts, BO 3
BO all remaining sts, slipping the first st instead of knitting it and leaving a long tail at the end.
Finish as right mitt.
If you enjoyed this free pattern, please check out my other patterns as well! :)
The Grateful Crane Shawl
Elven Slippers
Russell Square Mitts
Russell Square Tam
iTouch Jumper
Twisty Wristband
Mawata Pulsewarmers
Oh, if only I knew how to knit... Sigh. I tried to teach myself once when I was a kid. I checked out a book from the library. I got started okay but I kept dropping stitches and it frustrated the hell out of me. I also checked out a book on crocheting, and discovered that it's not such a big deal to lose a stitch crocheting because it won't run. :P So, around age 10, I gave up knitting and became a crocheter. Maybe one of these days I will give it a shot again...
ReplyDeleteYour yarn is fabulous, and I enjoy your blog! :D
~ Rhonda
www.craftybitch101.com
Happy birthday! I has yarny present for you.
ReplyDeleteGreat mitts!
ReplyDeleteHey Rhonda - first of all, kick butt duct tape bags. Second, try http://www.knittinghelp.com/ ... I of the opinion that everyone should have a GOOD opportunity to learn how to knit, especially someone with your creativity.
ReplyDeleteGreat Mitts Joyuna!
I followed the link from simpleknits and as I did so, I thought "something sounds familiar in the name of those gloves". After reading what you wrote I am gleefully planning to knit these for myself, for my daughter, and perhaps for the person who first told me about "His Dark Materials" and who loves the trilogy so much that he reads it every couple of years. I read the book--LOVED IT!--lent it to my daughter and she texts me to rave about how much she is loving the book.
ReplyDeleteOh, how she is going to love getting a pair of Alethiometer Mitts for Christmas! Thank you very much for posting this.
Hey,
ReplyDeleteI just started these for a friend. They're looking great so far! The only thing is, I think you mis-wrote the increase rows, you write "kfb, knit to the last st of the second needle, pfb, knit to end" I think you meant to say "kfb, work in 1x1 ribbing to the last st of the second needle, pfb, work in 1x1 ribbing to end" and similarly for the other inc. row.
At least, that's what it looks like you've done in the photos, and I don't see why you wouldn't do this. But maybe by "knit" you meant that. Anyways, great pattern, I can't wait to get them done!
Too bad you can't knit an alethiometer...
ReplyDeleteI like your choice of colors - the brightness would definitely stand out in the snow-covered outdoors! I wish I can make yarns that beautiful with just my hand carders. I've been rusty with knitting lately, since I'm currently occupied with the weaving looms here - My in-laws are currently teaching me how to make cloth out of the yarns I've spun out myself!
ReplyDeleteWe are all about Fingerless Gloves. We love them. We make them. We sell them.
ReplyDeletefishnet fingerless gloves