Glowbal Warming

These mittens make me think of those temperature maps you see in the newspaper. You know, you’re freezing in the bluey-green part, looking longingly at the orangey-red section, wondering how much a last-minute ticket to Puerto Vallarta would cost.

If it’s not practical to escape to the tropics, at least these mittens will keep your hands toasty warm and the bright colours will give you a lift on gloomy winter days.
This is a fairly quick project. Make a pair for someone who will appreciate the colours and the time you put into them (which could easily be yourself).

One size (finished measurements: 6″ around wrist, 8″ around widest part of hand)

You will need:

• Noro Silk Garden Lite in shade #2031 (45% Silk, 45% Kid Mohair,10% Lamb’s wool): 2 balls
• Approx. 4 inches of scrap yarn in a contrasting colour
• Set of 5 – 3.5 mm DPN
• Stitch marker
• Tapestry needle

Gauge: 24 st = 4 inches in stockinette st

Pattern notes
If you get stuck doing the thumbs, see the Help section for step-by-step instructions (with helpful photos).
For best (or at least symmetrical) results, be sure to start both mittens at the same place in the stripe sequence. You may have to unwind some yarn to find the right spot.
You could make the thumbs match if you wanted to, but I think they are more interesting mismatched.

A master list of standard knitting abbreviations can be found here. For detailed instructions for how to graft your stitches together, see this excellent article in Knitty. 

Instructions:

FOR LEFT MITTEN

Cuff:
Using the long-tail cast-on method, CO 37 stitches and distribute over 4 needles as follows: 9 stitches on each of the first three needles, 10 stitches on the fourth. Work in stockinette stitch for 4 rounds.
Switch to seed stitch and work 20 rounds.
Purl 2 rounds.

Increase for mitten body:
Switch to stockinette stitch. Knit into the front and back of the first stitch of the first three needles (the ones with 9 stitches each). Work to end of round: 40 stitches on needles.
Next round: knit
Next round: Knit into the front and back of the first stitch on each needle, work to end of round: 44 stitches
Next round: knit
Next round: Knit into the front and back of the first stitch on each needle, work to end of round: 48 stitches
Next round: knit
Next round: Knit into the front and back of the first stitch on each needle, work to end of round: 52 stitches (13 stitches on each needle).
Continue working in stockinette stitch for another 20 rounds

Hold space for the thumb:
Knit 15 stitches. Using scrap yarn, knit the next 7 stitches. Slip these stitches back to your LH needle and knit them again using working yarn. Knit to end of round. Work another 25 rounds or until the top of the mitten reaches the top of your pinky finger.

Decrease for top:
Decrease round:
First needle: K1, SSK, work to end.
Second needle: Work to last 3 stitches, K2Tog, K1
Third needle: K1, SSK, work to end.
Fourth needle: Work to last 3 stitches, K2Tog, K1
Knit one round in stockinette stitch.
Alternate decrease rounds with stockinette rounds until you have 4 stitches remaining on each needle. Slip the stitches on the first needle onto the second needle, and the stitches on the third needle onto the fourth needle (8 stitches per needle). Graft mitten top together using Kitchener Stitch.

Make the thumb:
Carefully remove scrap yarn and place live stitches onto two needles. You should have 7 stitches on the bottom needle and 6 on the top. Join yarn, and starting with the bottom needle, knit 5 stitches. Use a second needle, knit 2, pick up 3 stitches at the side, then knit 2 stitches from top needle. Using a third needle, knit 4 and pick up 3 stitches at the side. You should have 19 stitches on three needles.
Knit one round even.
Next round, K7, K2Tog, K 6, K2Tog, K2 (17 stitches).
Continue working in stockinette stitch for 20 more rounds (or until desired length).
Next round, K2Tog to last 3 stitches, K3Tog (8 stitches)
Cut yarn, thread end through tapestry needle, and draw needle through all stitches. Pull tightly to close up the thumb.

RIGHT MITTEN
Make the same as for the Left Mitten, except:

Hold space for the thumb:
Knit 4 stitches. Using scrap yarn, knit the next 7 stitches. Slip these stitches back to your LH needle and knit them again using working yarn.

Finishing:
Weave in ends. Block if desired.