Mittens pattern- knit to bottom of thumb?

#1

Hi, I’m making these mittens:

And I’m confused by the instructions to “knit even to bottom of thumb.” It’s right after the thumb gusset. Where is the bottom of the thumb? How do I know when to stop?

Thanks so much!! :slight_smile:

#2

I think you start the gusset just above the wrist/ribbing, but there’s still another inch or 1½" to the bottom of the thumb at the webbing. That’s where they mean.

#3

The thumb gusset begins right after you end with the ribbing for the cuff. You didn’t say what size the mitten was for, but it’s the same thing for baby, child, or adult mittens. The distance from the top of the ribbing to the thumb opening is going to be the same distance as the thumb length. The average adult wears a size medium. The thumb length for this is 2 1/2 inches. The distance from the top of the ribbing to the thumb opening (including the gusset) will also be 2 1/2 inches. A small adult is 2 1/4 inches for both, large adult 2 3/4. This chart will give you a general idea. The chart seems to be a little off for the women’s size. I based mine on experience. Tried a lot of gloves and mittens on my adult kids, plus I knit mittens for charity, so my measurements are about right.

http://www.knittingonthenet.com/patterns/mittensize.htm

#4

I came across this the other day. It’s a generic mitten pattern you can do with any size needle, any yarn. It’s based on your gauge and your own measurements. I’m currently knitting a pair based on this and it’s going quite well. The only thing I would caution is to add about four extra stitches if you’re doing the Fair Isle type that she has pictured. The Fair Isle pulls the work in a little and will make the mittens snug. So far, I’m finding they’re a good fit. One thing I never thought of was my odd size hands. I have small wrists and wide hands. I had to increase a few stitches after the cuff to accommodate this, but it’s working well. This is the first mitten pattern I’ve done that actually fits.

http://www.hjsstudio.com/mittens.html

If you’re knitting mittens for someone else, have them trace around their hands on a piece of paper. Just in case they’re not around or are at work or school. Little kids don’t like it when you constantly chase them around the room with a measuring tape.