A great way to practice knitting in the round is to make a pair of fingerless mitts. Knit in a comfortable gauge of 4 stitches per inch, these will work up in no time at all. Make a pair to match the simple ear warmer, and you’re fashionably set for cool-weather outings. If you would like to make both projects in the same yarn, you will need about 125 yards of worsted-weight yarn.
Size: Finished dimensions: 6 inches in circumference (unstretched) × 7-1⁄4 inches long, to fit most adult hands
Materials: 80 yards of worsted-weight yarn: Peace Fleece Worsted (70% wool/30% mohair, 200 yd./4 oz. skein), 1 skein in color Glasnost Gold
Needles: You can use any of the following needles in size US 8 (5mm), or size to obtain gauge:
One set of 4 or 5 double-pointed needles
One 32- to 40-inch circular needle
Two 16-inch circular needles
Notions:
Stitch markers
Seaming needle
Gauge: 4 stitches per inch in stockinette, worked in the round
You can work these mitts on double-pointed needles, with the magic loop method, or with two circulars. Because of their small circumference, they are not suitable for the traditional method of knitting with one circular
A worsted-weight yarn that is both warm and soft would be a good choice for this project. Choose a fiber that has good elasticity because you want your mitts to stay on your hands comfortably and not stretch out and sag.
Cast on 28 stitches and arrange your work on the needles according to the directions for your chosen knitting method. Join your work to knit in the round, being careful not to twist your cast on around the needles. Place a stitch marker to indicate the end of the round.
*Knit 3, purl 1. Repeat from * to the end of the round.
Repeat Step 2 until your work measures about 5 inches from the cast-on edge.
At the beginning of the next round, create a hole for your thumb by binding off the next 4 stitches. Then work in knit 3, purl 1 rib to the end of the round.
5Using the backward-loop cast-on, create 4 new stitches at the beginning of the round. Then work in knit 3, purl 1 rib to the end of the round.
On the next round, work all stitches in the knit 3, purl 1 rib pattern. Work the first 4 stitches fairly tightly to prevent a gap from forming on either side of the new thumb hole.
Continue working in pattern as established until your work measures 2-1⁄4 inches from the edge of the thumb hole.
Bind off loosely in pattern. Weave in yarn ends.
Repeat steps 1–8 to make a second mitt to match.
Wash and block the mitts, if desired.
Once your project is complete, you may wish to embellish the surface with embroidery in contrasting colors of yarn. You can knit this pattern in various types of ribbing, or you might want to experiment with stitch patterns such as cables or knit-and-purl combinations.