Free Pattern - The Lilley's Maine Mittens
An Irish Ewe FREE Pattern - The Lilley's Maine Mittens
Worsted yarn - wool, about 150 yards. Do not use acrylic, cotton, or blends, wet wool will hold in heat while any blends will freeze little fingers!
Size 3 & 4 (or for very heavy wools, 5 & 6) double points
I work to a gauge of about 20 sts to 4 inches.
Sizes - Kindergarden through second grade, pre-teen, and Who The Heck Are You And What Did You Do With My Sweet Child?! (aka, Teenagers)
CO 30-34-38 with smaller needles, PM (place marker) join and work rib of choice for 2-2.5-3 inches. We like the old standby rib of K2, P1. (and yes, that means you have an extra stitch at the end of the round. I usually just purl that, but you can do as you wish)
Change to larger needles, and knit 2-2-3 rounds.
Gusset - Inc 1 st in each of the first 2 sts, PM and knit around.
Work 2 rounds even.
Inc 1 st after round marker and 1 before second marker.
Knit 1 round.
Repeat until there are 12-12-14 sts between the markers.
Work 1 round even.
Knit first thumb stitch, slip onto the end of the needle with the body stitches (needle 3, or the one to your right) Slip middle 10-10-12 stitches onto waste yarn, cast on 2-2-3 stitches, knit these 2-2-3 stitches, the last thumb stitch, and knit around. Work even until 4-4.5-5 inches.
(Note on top - Some or all of the rounds may have extra stitches at the end that don't fall within the pattern. Just knit them, and all will be fine!)
Dec - *K2tog, K3* around
K 1 round even
Dec - *K2tog, K2* around
K 1 round even
Dec - *K2tog, K1* around
K 1 round even
Dec - *K2tog* around Break yarn and pull tightly through remaining stitches.
Thumb - Put stitches back onto two needles, pick up 2-2-3 stitches from body, and work even until 1.25-1.5-2 inches long.
Dec - *K2tog, K2* around
K 1 round even
Dec - *K2tog* around. Break yarn and pull tightly through remaining stitches.
There you have it, a plain, hard-working, easy to adapt, change, embellish, and knit pattern from a 30 year knitter, mom of four boys! This basic pattern is the same one my grandma and mom have used, and has kept 50 years of children's fingers warm. Enjoy, and if you use it, please make a pair for your local shelter or elementary school!
Comments
Thank you for posting this pattern. I will save it and use it when I knit for orphans in Rumania.
Posted by: StickLena | December 10, 2006 02:58 PM
Thank you for sharing your family's pattern. It's like sharing an old family recipe. You know it's stuck around all these years because it's good!
I look forward to making these cuties up.
Posted by: Lisa | December 21, 2006 08:41 AM
thanks...it's perfect. my teenager has declared she wants ONLY knitted mittens now, no more expensive insulated gloves ... and we live in Vermont!
Posted by: marcia | January 26, 2007 12:32 PM
I put a link to your pattern on the Children in Common site. I needed to have a pattern with a thumb gusset in there. :)It will be used to knit mitten for the Cheyenne Indian reserve for an upcoming blitz. thanks for sharing
blessings
Emmee
Dagny notes - Feel free to post the pattern on the CiC website, if you wish. We just ask for a link back here, and that you host the photos on your server.
Posted by: Marla | May 28, 2007 07:36 PM
I have never made mittens before and can't wait to try this pattern! I would love to donate to Merrill's fund but would prefer to send a check. Could you please email me a mailing address? As a teacher and a mom I know this will be wonderful for Merrill!
Dagny notes - You can find our info at MerrillsFund.com At this point, we're asking for mostly small things, such as toys for Hunter to play with on his "off duty" time :)
Posted by: Ashley | June 26, 2007 07:43 AM