Need help with directions for the thumb on mittens

#1

Hi All!

I started back knitting after 20 something years. So I am a newbie again. I have this pattern for mittens that I am trying to do but I am very lost on the directions for the thumb gusset. I have a co-worker who is a master knitter but I only see her during the week and we are both busy working. Can anyone explain this is simple terms?

	 Knit 2 rnds, increasing 2 sts evenly spaced on first rnd. [18 (20, 22) sts]

	 [B]thumb gusset[/B]

	Rnd 1: [B]M1, place marker, knit to end of rnd[/B].
	Rnd 2 and all even rnds: Knit.
 Rnd 3: [B]M1, knit to marker, m1, slip marker, knit to end of rnd.

Repeat rnds 2 and 3 until there are 5 (7, 9) sts before the marker.[/B]

This is the link for a better understanding. I omitted the “www” in case your not allowed to post links.

[COLOR=“Blue”]michaels.com/art/online/projectsheet?pid=e03486&categoryid=32
[/COLOR]

This is driving me crazy. I am using 4 needles and have the cuff done for one but stopped dead in my tracks over this. :hair:

#2

You are increasing for the base of the thumb. I believe further along you will take those increased stitches and will but them on a holder and continue to work the remainder of the stitches to form the main body of the mitten. Then you will go back and work the thumb stitches. The M1 is an increase, then you place marker, and knit around to beginning of row. Next row knit, At beginning of next row make an increase knit to the marker and make an increase in the stitch before marker and then knit around. You keep alternating an increase row and an even knit row until you have as many stitches between beginning of row and marker as are called for in pattern.

#3

Is it supposed to make an opening at the marker? I am just adding a stitch at the beginning of every other row. Isn’t it supposed to look different by now? It is hard to see it because I am using super bulky yarn (my DS bought me knitting stuff for christmas).

I can’t believe I am having such a hard time understanding this.:doh: :wall:

#4

You will further in the pattern. Right now you are making space for the base of your thumb. If you look at your hand the widest part is where the thumb comes out of the side of your hand, that’s the part that is being made with the increases.

#5

Is there supposed to be more than one marker? Am I supposed to put one every time I make a stitch?

These are the directions. I made the cuff okay. Then I did 2 rounds. On the first round I made two stitches, one on one side and one on the other. From there on is where I messed up. What is the marker for? How many are used? Should there be one on each side of the m1? Am I supposed to move the marker?

Thanks everyone.

	Cuff

With 2 strands of Boucle held together, cast on 16 (18, 20) sts.
Divide onto 3 needles. Join.
Work in k1/p1 rib for 3-inches/8cm.
Change to 1 strand of Chenille.
Knit 2 rnds, increasing 2 sts evenly spaced on first rnd. [18 (20, 22) sts]

thumb gusset

Rnd 1: M1, place marker, knit to end of rnd.
Rnd 2 and all even rnds: Knit.
Rnd 3: M1, knit to marker, m1, slip marker, knit to end of rnd.
Repeat rnds 2 and 3 until there are 5 (7, 9) sts before the marker.

	Hand

Knit across 5 (7, 9) gusset sts to marker, and then place them on a holder. Knit to end of rnd. [18 (20, 22) sts]
5, 7)/15cm (17, 18) from the top of cuff, decreasing 0 (2, 4) sts evenly spaced on last rnd. [18 (18, 18) sts]

	Top Shaping:
	Rnd 1: *K1, k2tog; rep from * to end of rnd. [12 sts]
	Rnd 2: Knit.
	Rnd 3: *K2tog; rep from * to end of rnd. [6 sts]
	Cut yarn and draw through remaining sts. Fasten off.

	Thumb
	Place sts from holder onto 3 needles.
	Pick up 2 sts along edge of hand above thumb. [7 (9, 11) sts]
	5)/5cm (5, 6).
	Next rnd: K1, *k2tog; rep from * to end of rnd. [4 (5, 6) sts]
	Cut yarn and draw through remaining sts. Fasten off.
	Weave in ends; repeat for second mitten.
#6

You only need the 1 marker. It’s telling you where you need to do the increases. If you read down the pattern a little further after you have increased to 5(7,9) stitches you will knit them and slip to a holder and then continue to knit around for the hand.