twisty mittens

i originally wanted to make mittens with columns of tiny cables. after knitting a few rounds i realized that was Not Fun, so i switched to twists. the construction of the mittens are based on circular yoke sweaters–there is no gusset, but rather the increases for the thumb are spread out within the purl ribs around the circumference creating a gradual spreading effect.

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notes

only one size, sorry, i was lazy. you can adjust the size by using a different weight yarn and different size needles.

materials

• 1 skein of a fingering weight yarn
• size US 2 / 2.75mm DPNs
• 4 stitch markers

gauge

52 stitches = 6 inches in 2 x 2 ribbing, slightly stretched

abbreviations

st – stitch
k – knit
p – purl
k2tog – knit two together
p2tog – purl two together
ssk – slip slip knit
ssp – slip slip purl
m1-pw – make one purlwise
twist – right or left twist (the direction is up to you)
m – stitch marker
pm – place marker
sm – slip marker
rm – remove marker

techniques

ssp
twists

pattern

right mitten

cuff

Cast on 52 stitches and place marker for beginning/end of round.

Work in pattern (2 x 2 ribbing, starting with a p2), for 12 rounds.

Twist Round: Work in pattern, twisting each group of 2 knit st

** Work in pattern for 6 rounds, repeat Twist Round, repeat from ** one more time. | 27 rounds

“yoke”

Increase Round 1: m1-pw, p2, k2, pm, work in pattern to end of round | 1 st increased
Increase Round 2: work in pattern (knitting the knits and purling the purls) to m, rm, m1-pw, p2, k2, pm, work in pattern to end of round | 1 st increased

Repeat Increase Round 2 four more times. | 4 more st increased, 58 total st

Increase + Twist Round 1: work in pattern (twisting each group of 2 knit st) to m, rm, m1-pw, p2, k2, pm, work in pattern (with twists) to end of round | 1 st increased

Repeat Increase Round 2 six times. | 6 more st increased, 65 total st
NOTE: Do not replace the moving marker in the final repeat.

Next Round: Repeat Twist Round

Increase Round 3: m1-pw, p3, k2, pm, work in pattern to end of round | 1 st increased
Increase Round 4: work in pattern to m, rm, m1-pw, p3, k2, pm, work in pattern to end of round | 1 st increased

Repeat Increase Round 4 four more times. | 4 more st increased, 71 total st

Increase + Twist Round 2: work in pattern (twisting each group of 2 knit st) to m, rm, m1-pw, p3, k2, pm, work in pattern (with twists) to end of round | 1 st increased

Repeat Increase Round 4 six times. | 6 more st increased, 78 total st
NOTE: Do not replace the moving marker in the final repeat.

palm

Division + Twist Round: work in pattern (with twists) for 22 st, sl previous 22 st onto scrap yarn, work in pattern (with twists) to end of round, sm, cast on 4 st | 60 st total, 22 st on hold
NOTE: End-of-round marker still counts as end of round.

Work in pattern, with a Twist Round every 7th round five more times. | 42 total rounds

Work 6 rounds in pattern.

decrease section

Set-Up Round: rm, p1, pm, p3, [twist, p4] 3 times, twist, p3, pm, p1, twist, p1, pm, p3, [twist, p4] 3 times, twist, p3, pm, p1, twist, p1
NOTE: This round changes the position of the end of round.

Decrease Round: [p2tog, work in pattern to 2 st before m, ssp, sm, p1, k2, p1, sm] twice | 4 st decreased

Work Decrease Round 10 more times. | 40 more st decreased, 16 total st

Next Round: rm, p2tog, ssp, rm, p1, k2, p1, rm, p2tog, ssp, rm, p1, k1 | 4 st decreased, 12 total st
NOTE: This round does not end at the end of round.

Cut yarn, leaving a generous tail. Slip all live stitches onto scrap yarn, and turn mitten inside-out, bringing the working yarn to the inside as well. Slip 6 stitches onto one needle, slip the remaining 6 stitches onto another needle. Work a 3-needle bind-off.

thumb

Slip 22 on-hold stitches back onto needles, and pick up 6 stitches from the cast-on edge, pm | 28 st

Round 1: work in pattern to last 6 st, k1, k2tog, ssk, k1 | 2 st decreased
Round 2: work in pattern to last 4 st, k2tog, ssk | 2 st decreased, 24 total st

Work in pattern for four more rounds, then work a Twist Round.
Work in pattern for six rounds, work a Twist Round. | 14 total rounds

Decrease Round 1: ssp, p2, k2, pm, work in pattern to end of round | 1 st decreased
Decrease Round 2: work in pattern to m, rm, ssp, p2, k2, pm, work in pattern to end of round | 1 st decreased

Repeat Decrease Round 2 two more times. | 2 more st decreased, 20 total st
NOTE: Do not replace the moving marker in the final repeat.

Decrease Round 3: ssp, p1, k2, pm, work in pattern to end of round | 1 st decreased
Decrease Round 4: work in pattern to m, rm, ssp, p1, k2, pm, work in pattern to end of round | 1 st decreased

Repeat Decrease Round 4 two more times. | 2 more st decreased, 16 total st
NOTE: Do not replace the moving marker in the final repeat.

Decrease Round 5: ssp, k2, pm, work in pattern to end of round | 1 st decreased
Decrease Round 6: work in pattern to m, rm, ssp, k2, pm, work in pattern to end of round | 1 st decreased

Repeat Decrease Round 6 two more times. | 2 more st decreased, 12 total st

Next Round: [p1, ssk] 4 times | 4 st decreased, 8 total st

Cut yarn and pull through all stitches left on needles.

left mitten

Work as for right mitten up to the decrease section. You may want to work your twists in the opposite direction just for fun.

Set-Up Round: rm, p4, twist, p1, pm, p3, [twist, p4] 3 times, twist, p3, pm, p1, twist, p1, pm, p3, [twist, p4] 3 times, twist, p3, pm, p1, k2, p1
NOTE: This round changes the position of the end of round.

Continue to to work as for right mitten to the end of the pattern.