Cabled Mittens

I made these mittens for my mom this Christmas, and am now posting the pattern here. The cabled cuffs are based off a vintage pattern. They are very easy to make, suitable for beginners or for a quick gift.




Materials: worsted weight yarn, size 4 (3.5mm) dpns, cable needle (or extra dpn), scrap yarn
CO 45 stitches
put 15 stitches on first dpn, 14 on second and 16 on third. Join.

R1 & R2: P2, *k4, p2, k1, p2, repeat from * three times, then end with k4, p2, k1.
R3: P2, *(cable)slip the next 2 sts on cable needle and hold in back of work, knit the next 2 sts, knit the 2 sts off the cable needle, p2, k1, p2, repeat from * three times, then end with cable, p2, k1.
R4: same as rows 1 and 2

Repeat these four rows until cuff is as long as desired, ending with row 4. Example is made with 4 repeats.

Knit 4 rows.

Thumb increase:
R1: K22, m1, k1, m1, k22
R2: K across
R3: K across
R4: K across
R5: k22, m1, k3, m1, k22
R6: k across
R7: k across
R8: k across
R9: K22, m1, k5, m1, k22
R10: k across
R11: k across
R12: k across
R13: k22, m1, k7, m1, k22
R14: k across
R15: k across
R16: k across
R17: k22, m1, k9, m1, k22
R18: k across
R19: k across
R20: k across

R21: k22, move next 11 stitches to scrap yarn, k22.

Knit remaining 44 stitches around for 22 rows.

Decrease:
R1: *k9, k2tog, repeat from * to end of row
R2: *k8, k2tog, repeat from * to end of row
R3: *k7, k2tog, repeat from * to end of row
R4: *k6, k2tog, repeat from * to end of row
R5: *k5, k2tog, repeat from * to end of row
R6: *k4, k2tog, repeat from * to end of row
R7: *k3, k2tog, repeat from * to end of row
R8: *k2, k2tog, repeat from * to end of row
R9: *k1, k2tog, repeat from * to end of row

Hard Option:
Divide remaining stitches evenly on 2 needles. Use Kitchener Stitch to bind off-- two good tutorials are: http://www.stitchdiva.com/custom.aspx?id=50 and http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEsummer04/FEATtheresasum04.html.

Easier Option:
R10: *K2tog, repeat from * to end of row
Cut yarn, leaving tail long enough to weave in later. Use a tapestry needle to draw yarn through remaining stitches and pull tight.


Thumb:
Pick up 11 stitches from scrap yarn, plus 2 extra (to help close the gap)
Knit 12 rows

Thumb decrease:
R1: *k2, k2tog, repeat from * to last stitch, k1
R2: *k1, k2tog, repeat from * to last stitch, k1
R3: *k2tog, repeat from * to last stitch, k1

Hard Option:
Divide remaining stitches evenly on 2 needles. Use Kitchener Stitch to bind off-- two good tutorials are: http://www.stitchdiva.com/custom.aspx?id=50 and http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEsummer04/FEATtheresasum04.html.

Easier Option:
Cut yarn, leaving tail long enough to weave in later. Use a tapestry needle to draw yarn through remaining stitches and pull tight.

And done!