TOM MACHINE KNITTING GUY: Easy Fingerless Mitts

A friend who is a machine knitter asked if I had a pattern for fingerless mitts, I did and off it went to her. She was kind enough to test knit a pair and helped clear up my instructions. When I make notes sometimes there are several versions and I sent her a little from this and a little from that. She was kind enough to help me get it sorted out. This is for the bulky machine, I use a 260E but this will work on any bulky.

Here are the instructions and step by step photos (at the bottom) to guide you through. The thumb is short row increased onto the mitt. My hand measures 8-1/2 inches around widest part of the palm. You can add fair isle, intarsia and etc.

Bulky Fingerless Mitts

Worsted Yarn (No. 4 med)

RB T-3; MB T-5

32 stitches, H2 racking

MB 16L-16R

RB 15L-14R

Hand

T-0, H2 racking, Slider I

MB 16L-16R

RB 15L-14R, bring into work purl stitch 17L (for cast on only)

Cast on for rib in 2x2 (2x1); hang comb and weights

COL, T-1, Slider II, set part buttons for both carriages to knit selvage

Knit 3 circular rows

COR, H3 racking, T-3, Slider I, release part buttons

Transfer left end ribber stitch 17L to main bed needle L16 and return empty needle to A

K26 rows rib

RC 26

P2 racking

Transfer RB stitches to MB to knit stockinette (or any pattern)

T-5

K to RC 32

Place marker on each end for thumb

K to RC 44

Place second marker on each end for thumb

K to RC 50

Transfer stitches for 1x1 rib, decreasing one stitch (or left two stitches remain on MB)

T-3

K in rib to RC 56

K1 row (R to L) at T10

RC 57, COL

Transfer ribber stitches to main bed

Loose chain bind off (loop through loop from R to L)

Thumb

Hang edge of thumb between markers - 8L-1L (for left side). Then hang right side 1L to R7 (two stitches on 1L to prevent hole)

All needles in E position, start short row inc, wrap first needle ( 2R) as well as needle on carriage side. Inc 2 sts each row (opp carriage), wrap needle on carriage side every row, on last row you will have 3 sts to increase.

K3R

Transfer stitches for 1x1 ribbing.

K4R

K1R right to left at T10, chain bind off. Sew seams.

Note needle arrangement for 2x2 (2x1) and the left end needle on the ribber needed to cast on

Zig-zag row - note needle 17L on ribber

Have problems with a transfer needle? Use the transfer tool instead! Three circular rows done, transferring needle 17 on ribber to main bed.

2x2 ribbing completed.

After transferring stitches to main bed for hand, knit stockinette. Here I placed the first marker for thumb gore.

Second thumb marker added.

All stockinette completed, transferring sts for 1x1 rib.

Hand done. The red markers are the beginning of thumb gore.

With private side facing hang right side of mitt first on needles 8L-1L.

The ribbing facing you is the top of the mitt, the cuff is toward the back of the machine. Hang left side of mitt on needles 1L-7R hanging the 8th stitch on needle 1L (prevents a hole forming). Note two red markers are on same needle - (start of bottom thumb gore).