Two Needle Mitten Pattern

Joining in with Ginny of Small Things for this week's Knit Along to share a simple mitten pattern that I have had several requests for...


This is a really simple two needle knitting pattern for mittens.

So far I have made the following sizes the first number is for our 3 year old, second for our 7 year old, and third number for our 11 year old.  Please note that our children are on the smaller size, but wool is very forgiving either way.
This pattern is adapted from the Wee Mittens in the book Vintage Knits for Modern Babies.
Cast on using size 3 needles with worsted weight yarn 31 (35) (39) stitiches.
Rib for desired length of cuff - K1P1 for each row.
Change to larger needles (size 5) and work 2 rows in stockinette stitch.
For the Thumb:
Row 1:  Knit 15 (17) (19), place marker, M1, k1, M1, place marker, knit to end - know you have 33 (35) (37) sts.
Row 2:  Purl
Row 3: Knit to marker, sl marker, M1, knit to marker, M1, slip to marker, knit to end -
Repeat rows 2 and 3 until you have 13 (15) (17) stitches between markers
Nest row: Purl
Thumb:
Row 1:  Knit 28 (32) (36), turn
Row 2:  P5 (6) (7), p2 tog, p 6 (7) (8), turn
Work 4 (6) (8) rows in Stockinette stitch
Next row:  K2tog across row
Break yarn and thread tail through rem sts and pull tight.  Start sewing up seam of thumb.
Top Shaping:
Rejoin yarn to stitches on left needles with right side facing, and knit to end  30 (34) (38) stitches.
Continue in Stockinette stitch until work measures length for hand, ending with a purl row.
Decreases:
Row 1:  Knit 2, knit 2tog across row
Row 2:  Purl
Row 3:  Repeat Row 1
Row 4:  purl
Row 5:  Knit 2tog across
Break yarn leaving a long tail and run needle through remaining stitches pull yarn tight and sew up seam of mitten.

I am still reading the Charlotte Mason Companion and have started a new nightly chapter book with Sarah - it is an older book called A Horse like Mr. Ragman.  It is a book that horse lovers would enjoy and Sarah is most definitely a lover of horses.

Handmade Holiday

I finished a hat for Sarah with the same wool blend yarn that I knit her these simple tube socks for Sarah.

It is knit by casting 80 stitches on size 6 needles - the first inch and a half are a knit two purl two ribbing and then knit in stockinette stitch for six inches - then decreasing by knit 8, knit two together across the row. The next row purl across, then knit 7, knit two together across row. Next row purl. Continue decreasing and finish off. Sew back seam.

Also, I am working on this candle mat - it is of a felted recycled sweater and pieces of wool felt scraps. It is a work in progress and I will post a picture when it is finished.

Looking through the blogs of those joining in with the Handmade Holiday, I found these wonderful ideas ~

Tree Blocks

Organizers for the Car

Please share what you are working on and your plans.

Warm wishes, Tonya

A Handmade Holiday

I have several projects to share today.

The first is a very simple playing card holder. I knit mine with worsted weight yarn and size 6 needles, cast on 14 stitches and knit every row until rectangle measured 9 1/2 stitches. Cast off.

Then I chose to personalize it by needlefelting the recipient's name. Be sure to do this before you stitch up the sides. Then you could either finish it by crocheting the edges or by hand sewing (the blanket stitch would look nice). I added a loop to attach a handmade button. This would also make a good project for children to make.

I will be making one for each member of our family except Abraham as finding a full deck of cards in our home seems to always be a challenge.

And now some ideas from others~

First, this pattern from Joy - A Play Knife Sheath.

And this wonderful post from Our Journey 'Round the Mulberry Bush about their whole family working together to make a Handmade Holiday.

Here is a tutorial to sew up some cloth napkins using your scraps.

Also, tote bags make a wonderful gift for nearly everyone on your list. With people more thoughtful about caring for the earth, a reusable and washable cloth bag would be a practical gift.

Here is a link for one pattern.

Here is a tutorial for some very simple, smaller bags. These would also be a great alternative to gift wrap.

Here is the page at this blog for the Handmade Holiday - be sure to visit the participating blogs and if you would like to be added or if your link isn't working, just let me know.

Please share in the comments your ideas and links or email me this week. (naturalearthfarm@netzero.net)

Warm wishes, Tonya

Handmade Holiday - 2010

I know it can be hard to be thinking of our Christmas gifts in the midst of summer - this is what we were doing yesterday ~

But, it is August already and I don't know about you, but each day passes so quickly for me.

I have been working on two projects this past week, both for my younger children.

At my local yarn shop, I saw this simple finished sock and was so excited to learn that I could knit socks without trying to manage four needles at once.

These are knit with a 2 x 2 ribbing - for my six year old daughter with small feet (about size 11/12), I cast on 16 stitches and knit a knit 2, purl 2 ribbing for the total length of the sock. It will be folded in half.

After done knitting two lengths, sew up the sides and toe with the blanket stitch. I added a little extra stitch on each side of the toe end as I was stitching, but that is all! Nothing fancy for sure, but a warm sock nonetheless.

Also, I found this adorable free crocheted vegetable pattern online and have been working on these.

Finally, I am continuing to find my Holiday Journal priceless. It has been so wonderful to put all of my thoughts down on paper instead of trying to keep it all scrambled up in my head.

How are your Handmade Holiday plans progressing?

Warm wishes, Tonya

Crocheted Crown Pattern

I had shared this pattern with Living Crafts quite a while back and thought I would share here as well. It is so very simple and fun.

The picture above is of our Isaac nearly 3 years ago! To go to the patterns page click here and scroll down a bit to find it.

Enjoy and warm wishes,

Tonya

Two Needle Mitten Knitting Pattern

This pattern is modified a bit from a free pattern sheet I picked up at my local yarn shop. (by Red Heart yarns).

I have not become a multi - needle knitter yet, nor do I use circular needles yet. With constantly picking up and putting down my work with six children and various household tasks weaving their way throughout my day, I have simply preferred to stick with two needle patterns.

What I like about this pattern is that you don’t even have to worry about a left handed or right handed mitten!

Using worsted weight yarn and sizes 4 and 6 needles

These directions are for Toddler, Child, Women, Men

Mitten Cuff: With size 4 needles cast on 23 (27, 35, 41) stitches. Work in ribbing as follows: Row 1: K1, P1 Row 2: P1, K1
Repeat rows 1 and 2 for 2 ( 2 ½, 3, 3 ½ ) inches (or until desired length – I like to make the cuffs long for my children)

End on a Row 1. Change to size 6 needles and work in plain Stockinette stitch, beginning with K row for 2 (2, 4, 4) rows from end of rib, end in P row.

Shape Thumb Gusset: K 11 (13, 17, 20) stitches, place marker, K in front and back and front again of next stitch (3 stitches in 1 stitch), place marker, K 11 (13, 17, 20) stitches – there are now 3 stitches between markers.

Next row: Purl
Next row: K to marker, slip marker, K in front and back of next stitch, K to last stitch before next marker, K in front and back of next stitch, slip marker, K to end of row – 5 stitches between markers. Repeat last two rows until there are a total of 7 (9, 11, 13) stitches between markers – (29, 35, 45, 53) stitches.

Hand: Knit first 11 (13, 17, 20) stitches, place next 7 (9, 11, 13) stitches on a holder; turn and cast on one stitch, turn and knit across remaining stitches. (11, 13, 17, 20)

All sizes – Work even in Stockinette Stitch on 23 (27, 35, 41) stitches until mitten measures 5 ½ (6 ½, 9 ½, 10 ½ ) inches from the beginning or 1 ½ inches from desired length to tip of mitten.
Decrease Row 1: K3, K2together; repeat across – 16 (20, 28, 32) stitches
Purl 1 Row
Decrease Row 2: K2, K2together, repeat across – 12 (15, 21, 24) stitches
Purl 1 Row
Decrease Row 3: K1, K2together, repeat across – 8 (10, 14, 16) stitches
Purl 1 Row
Decrease Row 4: K2together across 4 (5, 7, 8) stitches
Cut yarn, leaving a long end; weave through remaining stitches, draw up tightly and sew seam

Thumb:
Knit across 7 (9, 11, 13) stitches on the stitch holder, increasing 1 stitch at each end of the row (9, 11, 13, 15) stitches. Work even until ¾ (1, 1 ¼, 1 ¾) inches from beginning of thumb.
Repeat decrease from row 3 above
Purl 1 row
Repeat decrease from row 4 above.
Cut yarn, leaving a long end; weave through remaining stitches and draw up tightly then sew thumb seam.

Warm wishes,
Tonya

Baby Gnome Hat Knit Pattern

I just wanted to share:

Baby Gnome Hat

With size 8 needles and worsted weight yarn, Cast on 57 stitches.

The hat will be knit in the stockinette stitch (knit one row and then purl the next).

Work 3 inches and then *at the beginning of the next knit row, knit 2 together at the beginning and end of the row.
Knit five rows*
Repeat between *’s until hat measures 6 inches long. Now knit 2 together at the beginning and end of each knit row (every other row). Until one stitch is left on the needle. Cut the yarn long enough to use to sew up back seam.

For the ear flaps:
Measure just two inches from the back seam to find where to pick up eight stitches (just under the natural roll up portion). Knit 10 rows. Knit two together at the beginning and end of next rows until one stitch is left. Grab your size G crochet hook and chain long enough for one side tie, about 12 inches. Turn and single crochet back up to ear flap end and finish.
Repeat for other side.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Hand Knit Gnome with Vest

Knitting pattern with vest available at ravelry.