Classic Elite Yarns Mitered Mittens Knitting Pattern

Classic Elite Yarns Mitered Mittens: Knit Pattern Summary

Project Overview

The Classic Elite Yarns Mitered Mittens are a pair of knitted mittens designed by Susan Mills and featured in The Best of Liberty Wool (so far...) collection. These mittens are worked flat in one piece from the bottom up, beginning with the cuff and progressing through the thumb gusset, thumb, and hand sections. The design incorporates a distinctive mitered construction for the top of the hand, creating a tailored fit without the need for double-pointed needles.

Construction Method and Techniques

These mittens are constructed using a bottom-up, seamed approach, worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round. This method eliminates the need for double-pointed needles, making the project more accessible to knitters who prefer working on straight needles. The finished mittens feature seams sewn along the outside of the hand and around the cuff, creating clean, defined edges.

The pattern employs several key knitting techniques throughout its construction:

• Garter stitch forms the foundation of the cuff and thumb sections, creating a textured, reversible fabric with horizontal ridges
• Thumb gusset shaping uses increases (kfb, or knit front and back) to create room for the thumb, with stitches placed between markers for easy tracking
• Mitered shaping at the top of the hand uses centered double decreases (sk2p) to create diagonal lines that converge toward the center, forming the characteristic mitered point
• Cable cast-on method is used for adding stitches during the hand and mitered sections, providing a sturdy, finished edge
• Three-needle bind-off or grafting techniques may be employed for final closure, though specific finishing instructions are referenced in the complete pattern

Pattern Structure and Sections

Cuff: The mitten begins with a cast-on of 43 stitches worked in garter stitch for 28 rows (14 ridges), creating a cuff measuring approximately 3 inches. Garter stitch provides warmth and elasticity, making it ideal for a fitted cuff that maintains its shape.

Thumb Gusset: After the cuff is complete, a thumb gusset is established by placing markers and working increases on right-side rows. The gusset is increased 7 times, resulting in 16 stitches between the markers dedicated to the thumb. This graduated shaping ensures the thumb fits comfortably without excess bulk.

Thumb: The thumb stitches are worked separately on 15 stitches (after cable cast-on increases), worked in garter stitch for 18 rows (9 ridges) to measure approximately 2 inches. The top of the thumb is shaped using decreases (k2tog) to taper to a point, then all remaining stitches are drawn together and fastened off securely.

Hand and Mitered Top: The hand section is established by placing held stitches back on needles and adding stitches via cable cast-on. A mitered section is then set up by casting on additional stitches and placing removable markers to define the miter lines. The top of the hand is shaped using a combination of increases on wrong-side rows and centered double decreases on right-side rows, creating the signature mitered point. This shaping is repeated multiple times to gradually decrease stitches and form the tapered top.

Stitches and Abbreviations Used

• CO: Cast on
• st(s): Stitch(es)
• Garter st: Knit every row, creating horizontal ridges
• RS: Right side
• WS: Wrong side
• pm: Place marker
• slm: Slip marker
• kfb: Knit front and back (increase one stitch)
• k2tog: Knit two stitches together (decrease one stitch)
• sk2p: Slip one stitch, knit two stitches together, pass slipped stitch over (centered double decrease)
• K: Knit
• Cable cast-on: A sturdy cast-on method that creates a finished, cord-like edge