Reversible twice-as-warm mittens

Also called Double Knit Mitts

My Story

These are the mittens my wife wears on the coldest days of the year... when the store bought mittens just don't cut it. These are the first mittens I ever made and they came out perfectly on the first try. They are also the first and easiest double knit pattern I've seen.

A note about sizing for women and children. My wife is very petit and has slender hands. To reduce the size of these mittens from a Mens Meduim to a Womans Small, I replaced all Knit stitches (K) with Twisted Knit stitches (TK, sometimes abbreviated to KTBL).

Someday I'll make a pair and actually get to keep them.

Directions:

Size:

Materials:

• approx. 6 oz. knitting worsted. A soft acrylic or a wool blend that can be washed will stand up to kids and the elements well.
• Knitting needles size 6 us.*

*To vary the size, for women and children, I use smaller needles. Alternatively, using a TK stitch in place of K stitch in this pattern will result in a tighter knit and a smaller size.

Mitt:

Cast on 48 sts. Work in ribbing of k2, p2 (back and forth) for 4".

Increase Row:

The increase row from wrist to hand is completed using three distinct sections in a single row. The increase will result in 76 stitches on the needle. The addition of more stitches to the center of the row will assist in the shaping of the thumb area.

• (Inc 1 st in each of 2 knit stitches, purl 2) - 5times
• (inc 1 st in each of 2 knit stitches, increase 1 stitch in each of 2 purl stitches) twice
• (increase 1 stitch in 2 knit stitches, purl 2) - 5 times.

Double knitting pattern:

Row 1: * k1, yarn in front of work (facing you), sl 1 next st as if to purl allowing yarn to cross in front of st, then put yarn to the back of work (away from you) repeat from * across. The last stich in this row should be a sl st. Repeat row 1 for pattern. Making sure that the beginning of every row is a knit stitch, and the last is a purl stitch. This will form the double thickness of knitting in a stockinette pattern.

Work this pattern for 10 rows. This, in fact, will look like 5 rows.

First increase for Thumb:

Work in pattern on 35 stitches, put marker on needle, increase 1 stitch in each of next 2 stitches (include the slipped "purl" stitches when counting), work in pattern on 2 sts, inc 1 st in each of next 2 sts, put a marker on needle, work in pattern on last 35 stitches. Work in double knitting pattern for 3 rows, slipping markers as you go.

2nd increase for Thumb:

Work in pattern to marker, sl marker, inc 1 st in each of next 2 sts, work in pattern on 6 sts, inc 1 st in each of next 2 sts, sl marker, work in pattern to end. Work in double knitting pattern for 3 rows. Continue working in this manner, by inreasing 2 stitches after and before markers-every 4th row- untill there are 30 stitches between markers for thumb. Work pattern for 3 more rows.

Here's a handy table I use to check off the rows as I do the thumb increase:

Thumb:

Work in pattern on 35 sts, place these sts on a holder. Inc 1 st in first st of thumb, work in pattern to last st of thumb, increase 1 st - 32 sts for thumb. Place remaining 35 sts on a holder. Work even in pattern on 32 thumb sts for 2.5 inches.

First Dec row: * Work pattern on 4 sts, k 2 tog twice, repeat from* across. Work back in pattern.

2nd Dec row: * Work in pattern on 2 sts, k 2 tog twice, repeat from * across. Work back.

3rd Dec row: K 2 tog across row. break yarn leaving an end for sewing. Draw end through sts; fasten and sew thumb seam.

Hand:

Place sts from first holder on needle, join yarn, pick up and knit 6 sts under thumb, work pattern on 35 sts of 2nd holder. Work even on these 76 sts for 4 inches.

1st Dec row: * Work pattern on 6 sts, k 2 tog twice, repeat from * across, work pattern on 6 sts.
Work 3 rows in pattern--62 stitches.

2nd Dec row: * Work in pattern for 5 sts, k 2 tog twice, repeat from * across to last 8 stitches,
Work pat on 4 sts, k 2 tog twice. Work 3 rows in pattern--48 stitches.

3rd Dec row: * Work pattern on 4 sts, k 2 tog twice, repeat form * across.
Work 3 rows in pattern--36 stitches.

4th Dec row: * Work pattern on 3 sts, k 2 tog twice, repeat from * across, sl last stitch.
Work 1 row in pattern--26 stitches.

5th Dec row: * Work pattern on 2 sts, k 2 tog twice, repeat from * across, k1 , sl 1.
Work 1 row in pattern--18 stitches.
K 2 tog across next row.
Break yarn leaving end for sewing. Draw end through stitches.

Sew up side seam.

Make second mitten the same as first.

Good Luck!