Le Tissier Designs

Of Larks and Linnets and Flying Fingers

Thumbs UP!

Written by

letissierdesigns

in

, , , , , ,

I have been knitting a lot of full mittens lately (as opposed to the fingerless variety). They seem to be my gift of choice is this year. They are fun and quick and are great vehicles for learning new techniques – they are sort of like hats that way.

Adding the thumb is the only really fiddley bit. The most popular thumb is the fully shaped gusset with thumb. They are the classic thumb for mittens, but my favourite thumb is the afterthought thumb.

Why the afterthought thumb? Well, it is especially great with patterned mittens, colourwork, texture or cable techniques. Why is it better? I am so happy you asked! LOL! The best and strongest reason is that an afterthought thumb (or afterthought heel) will not interrupt your patterning. Or does not require a special pattern separate from the rest of the mitten – though it can be a great vehicle for more patterning. Afterthought thumbs are usually added after the mitten body is finished and then worked in the main colour yarn in stockinette – making them an easy finish.

How about a step-by-step tutorial?

Technique 1

I love this one for almost everything! But especially textural patterns in any weight. See Boldly Tweed Set.

  1. first work in pattern to the thumb insertion point; drop the working yarn and pick-up a length of waste yarn and work the desired number of stitches for the thumb as per the pattern size
  2. slip the waste yarn sts from the RH needle back to the LH needle; now resume working the pattern – knitting over the waste yarn insertion – with the mitten yarn and ignore the waste yarn until the mitten body is complete.
Using a smaller needle size pick-up 1/2 of the stitch above and below the waste yarn insertion.
Carefully clip the waste yarn stitches and remove the waste yarn
Stitches are sitting free on the needles – they can look a little messy until knitted.
Knit the first round as follows (dividing the sts onto the dpn’s; working with the correct size dpn’s and starting at either corner pick-up and-knit 1 stitch, knit across the needle to the next divide, pick-up and knit 2 sts across the divide, knit the sts across the next needle, pick-up and knit 1 st – end of round – round count is double the sts of the waste yarn plus 4 – in the sample above
8 sts + 8 sts = 16 sts + 4 sts = 20 sts.

Work next round of thumb as follows; K2tog, knit to 1 st before next divide, SSK, K2tog, knit to 1 st before next divide, SSK – thumb is now ready to complete as pattern requires.

Technique 2

I use this one mostly with heavier yarns. I find it easier to work than the other method.

  1. Knit to thumb insertion point, place required sts onto some waste yarn (cable needle in picture – it was handy and the mittens were fast LOL!.
  2. Backwards loop same amount of sts as are on the waste yarn, continue knitting the mitten.
Mitten is knit and the sts ready to be picked up.
Stitches are picked up and waiting to be knit. Work the 1 st and 2nd round as above.
My Grandson’s Christmas Mittens – Jester Mittens and the Monster Mittens

There will probably be patterns for these mittens – just not sure when!

Happy Mitten Knitting, Be Well!

Lynette

Discover more from Le Tissier Designs

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Comments

Leave a Reply

More posts