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Monday, October 13, 2014

Thumbing a mitten

Here are a few pictures and descriptions of how I thumbinate honeycomb mittens.
First step is while you are making the main part of the mitten. Knit the future thumb stitches with a short length of contrasting yarn. I prefer a bright, sturdy cotton, similar in weight to the main yarn.
After completing the mitten body, return to the thumb stitches and pick up the "stitches" on each side of the contrast stitches with a smaller double pointed needles.
Unpick the contrast yarn, to reveal the opening.
Knit the stitches off of the smaller needles with fresh yarn and proper size needle. Pick up a few at the corners.
Knit the thumb, work a couple decreases at the corners of the opening to acheive the correct number of stitches, as indicated in the pattern. Here 15 stitches were picked up, 5 on each needle.
Work one round, decrease one stitch per needle, 12 stitches or 4 per needle. (This is the child's size)
Final knit 2 together decrease at the tip of the thumb, cut the yarn a few inches away from the last stitch.
Thread through the remaining stitches. The top stays closed better if the yarn is run through the open stitches twice, with a large tapestry needle as illustrated in this drawing.
Poke a finger into the top of the thumb to even out and snug up the yarnand stitches.
Remove thy finger and pull it again to completely close the top.
Thread the loose ends through the tops of mitten and thumb.
Turn the mitten inside out and darn the loose ends into the knitted fabric.

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