Evan's Hobo Mittens

by Jamie Marie Binkley

These convertible mittens were made as requested for my son, Evan. He named them "hobo" mittens after he was asked to try them on mid-knit.

Abbreviations

inc :: increase

st(s) :: stitch(es)

k :: knit

p :: purl

k2tog :: knit two together
k3tog :: knit three together

ssk :: slip, slip, knit sts together
sssk :: slip, slip, slip, knit sts together

pm :: place marker

sm :: slip marker

m1 :: make one

m1r :: make one right

m1l :: make one left

rnd(s) :: round(s)

ws :: wrong side

Specifications

Yarn :: 1 Skein Blue Sky Alpacas Worsted Hand Dyes (50% Royal Alpaca / 50% Merino)

Needles :: 4.5 mm (US 7) Double Pointed Needles

Gauge :: 4 sts and 6 rows = 1" in circular stockinette

Notions :: Stitch Markers and Stitch Holder (or waste yarn) for Thumb Gusset; Yarn Needle for Elizabeth Zimmermann's Sewn Bind Off and threading "lifeline"; waste yarn for threading "lifeline" and provisional cast on; Tapestry Needle for weaving in ends

Size :: 6.5" long, 2.5" cuff width, 3" hand width, 2" thumb length

Pattern

Cuff and Hand

CO 24 sts and join being careful not to twist.

Rnds 1-10: k1p1 ribbing

Rnd 11: k

Rnd 12 (inc): m1, k12, m1, k12 (26 sts)

Rnds 13, 14, 15: k

Rnd 16 (inc): k12, pm, m1r, k1, m1l, pm (sts between markers are gusset sts), k to end (3 gusset sts, 28 sts)

Rnd 17: k

Rnd 18 (inc): k to marker, sm, m1r, k to marker, m1l, sm, k to end (5 gusset sts, 30 sts)

Rnd 19: k

Rnd 20 (inc): k to marker, sm, m1r, k to marker, m1l, sm, k to end (7 gusset sts, 32 sts)

Rnd 21: k

Rnd 22 (inc): k to marker, sm, m1r, k to marker, m1l, sm, k to end (9 gusset sts, 34 sts)

Rnd 23: k

Rnd 24: k to marker, place 9 gusset sts on stitch holder or waste yarn, k to end (25 sts)

Rnds 25 and 26: k

Rnd 27: k while threading lifeline

Rnds 28 and 29: k

Rnd 30 (dec): k2tog, p1, k1p1 to end (24 sts)

Rnds 31 and 32: k1p1

Bind off on ws using Elizabeth Zimmermann's Sewn Bind Off

Thumb

Place 9 gusset sts on 3 dpns evenly

Rnd 1 (inc): k to end, pu and cross 2 sts, join in the round (11 sts)

Rnds 2-5: k

Rnd 6 (dec): k2tog to last st (5x), move last st to beginning of next rnd (6 sts)

Rnd 7 (dec): k2tog to end (3x) (3 sts)

Weave in remaining 3 sts

Cap

Provisional CO 13 on dpn
Pick up 13 sts from lifeline on back of hand side on dpn leaving a long tail to  later bind off with.
Rnd 1: k13 picked up sts, p1, k1p1 to end of provisional CO sts, join (26 sts)

Rnds 2 and 3: k13, p1, k1p1 to end

Rnds 4-8: k

Rnd 9 (dec): ssk, k9, k2tog, ssk, k9, k2tog (22 sts)
Rnd 10 (dec): ssk, k7, k2tog, ssk, k7, k2tog (18 sts)

Rnd 11 (dec): ssk, k5, k2tog, ssk, k5, k2tog (14 sts)

Rnd 12 (dec): sssk, k1, k3tog, sssk, k1, k3tog (6 sts)

Graft last sts using Kitchener stitch - tutorial

Remove provisional cast on and bind off using Elizabeth Zimmermann's Sewn Bind Off

Remove lifeline and weave in all ends

Make 2