Hunting Mittens

For details see First Stitches, pages 12–13

MATERIALS

SUNLIGHT German Knitting Worsted, 1 skein

6 Steel Knitting Needles, No. 12

INSTRUCTIONS

These mittens are knitted with gray yarn. They are very practical for the sport, as the trigger-finger on one mitten is made separate.

Cast on 52 stitches. Divide the stitches on 3 needles. Join, knit 2 and purl 2 for the length of 4½ inches.

Make the next row plain, increasing 1 stitch on 2nd needle and 1 stitch on 3rd needle.

To increase: Knit 1 stitch plain, then knit another stitch in back of the 1st stitch.

To decrease: Knit 2 stitches together as one.

Start increasing for thumb: 1st row: Knit plain 8 stitches, increase 1 stitch, knit 2, increase 1, knit 8 stitches (1st needle), then knit plain to end of row.

Repeat this increase of 2 stitches every 3rd row, 6 times, then every 2nd row, twice.

Always have 8 stitches on each side of the increases for thumb, so that the 2 stitches increased each time, will be added to the number of stitches between the increases.

Knit 3 rows.

Leave the 20 stitches between the increases for thumb on a spare needle. Add 3 stitches in back of thumb to the 52 stitches around the hand and knit 3 rows. Decrease 1 stitch in back of thumb and knit 14 rows.

Make the forefinger: Take 8 stitches on each side of the increases for thumb, the 2 stitches in back of thumb and add 2 stitches (20 in all). Divide the stitches on 3 needles, knit around and make 22 rows.

Start decreasing: Knit 3, decrease 1 and repeat to end of row. Knit 3 rows. Knit 2, decrease 1 and repeat to end of row. Knit 2 rows. Knit 1, decrease 1 and repeat to end of row, then decrease for every stitch until finished. Break off the yarn and fasten.

Pick up the 2 stitches at base of forefinger knit around and make 22 rows. Decrease in same order as on forefinger: Make 7 decreases on 1st row. Knit first 3 rows between the decreasing rows, then knit 2 rows between, 1 row between and at last decrease every row until finished.

Make the thumb: Take the 20 stitches on the spare needle and pick up the 3 stitches at base of thumb. Make 3 rows. Decrease 1 stitch in back of thumb, make 14 rows and decrease same as on forefinger.

Make 32 rows from base of thumb to decreasing on the other mitten. Decrease 9 stitches on 1st row (knit 4, decrease 1). Make 4 rows, decrease and repeat in same order as on first mitten.

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