Knitted mittens

Using double-pointed needles size 5.0 mm, cast on 24 (28) 32 (36) stitches (sts). Set a stitch marker (ssm) at the start of the round (rd).

Work 14 (18) 20 (22) rds in knit (k) 1, purl (p) 1 rib. Then work 2 rds: k to end of rd. Now increase (inc) for the thumb.

In the following, the double-pointed knitting needles are referred to as needles 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Needle 1: k6 (7) 8 (9). Needles 2 + 3: k2, work (k1, p1) 4 (5) 6 (7) times, k2. Reverse k and p in every 3rd rd (double moss stitch). Needle 4: k2 (4) 4 (6), make 1 st purlwise in the loop between 2 sts = thumb inc (note that the number of sts increases in every rd on this needle), ssm, k4 (3) 4 (3).

Note that the sts on needles 2 and 3 are the front of the mitten, which is knitted in double moss stitch with 2 edge sts (k2) at both the start of needle 2 and the end of needle 3.

Continue to inc in the next 10 (10) 12 (12) rds.

Now slide the st after the stitch marker on needle 4 with the sts from needle 1 onto a stitch holder. Leave these stitches. You will complete the thumb later. Continue working on needles 2 + 3 working the double moss stitch pattern. Distribute the sts on needle 4 between 2 needles. You should now have the same number of sts as you started with.

Continue working all sts k on needles 1 + 4 and working double moss stitch and edge sts on needles 2 + 3. Work 12 (18) 23 (26) rds.

Decreasing (dec): k1, k2tog at the start of needles 1 + 3, and k2tog at the end of needles 2 + 4 in each rd until 8 sts remain. Continue to work k and double moss stitch on their respective needles. Break the yarn and pull it through the last sts.

Work rib and 2 rds k to end as described at the beginning of the pattern.

Now inc for the thumb: Needle 1: k6 (7) 8 (9). Needle 2: k4 (3) 4 (3), ssm, make 1 st purlwise in the loop between 2 sts = thumb increase (note: the number of sts on this needle increases in every rd), k2 (4) 4 (6). Needles 3 + 4: k2, work (k1, p1) 4 (5) 6 (7) times, k2. Reverse k and p in every 3rd rd.

Note that the stitches on needles 3 and 4 are the front of the mitten, which is knitted in double moss stitch with 2 edge sts (k2) at both the start of needle 3 and the end of needle 4.

Continue to inc in the next 10 (10) 12 (12) rds.

Now slide the sts from needle 1 and the st before the stitch marker on needle 2 onto a stitch holder. Leave these stitches. You will complete the thumb later. Distribute the remaining sts on needle 2 between two needles. You should now have the same number of sts as you started with. Work the double moss stitch on needles 3 + 4.

Continue working all sts k on needles 1 + 2 and working double moss stitch and edge sts on needles 3 + 4. Work 12 (18) 23 (26) rds. Continue decreasing as described for the left mitten.

Slide the 10 (10) 12 (12) sts from the stitch holder onto two double-pointed needles. Work 7 (8) 10 (12) rds: k to end.

Dec in each of the next rds: k2tog at the start of each needle until 4 sts remain. Break the yarn and pull it through the last sts.

Weave in ends.