Happy Blogiversary!

Happy three year blogiversary to me!  It is hard to believe I have been writing blogs, albeit sporadically, for three years now.  I decided that I would celebrate the occasion by writing up a free pattern for toddler fingerless mittens.  They are almost elbow length gloves custom fit for a three year old.  Get it?  Three year old blog and three year old sized pattern!  What?!

This is my first written pattern and has only been test knit once, by me, for my three year old daughter.  You may use this pattern for yourself or to make items to sell, all I ask is that you provide a link to this page.  Enjoy!

Gauge:  8 sts and 9 rows to the inch on US 2.

Needle and Notions:  40" circular size  2 (2.75mm) needle, 4 size 2 dpns, 2 small stitch markers, tapestry needle, and waste yarn.

Yarn:  25 g approx. 109 yds. fingering weight sock yarn.  Sample was knit using Knit Picks Felici self striping sock yarn in the Mixed Berries colorway.

Measurements:  This pattern is written to fit a three year old toddler, with lower arm and wrist measurements as follows:  elbow to wrist length, 6in.; hand length, 4.5in.; forearm circumference, 6.75in.; wrist and relaxed finger circumference, 5in. (these are the measurements used, not the actual finished measurements of the arm-warmers as they are made with about an inch of negative ease).


Pattern:  The pattern is written for magic loop.  It can be easily worked with two circulars or with dpns if that is your preferred method.  The thumb is worked on dpns.

CO 36 stitches, divide in half for magic loop.  Join to work in the round.  Knit one round and when you come back to where you first joined the work knit the last stitch and the first joined stitch together.  (This is to help make a tight join and avoid ladders.  If you do not have a problem with making a smooth join just cast on 35 stitches.

Round 2:  knit 3, purl 2 to end of round.  It will be useful to place a locking stitch marker in your work to note the beginning of the round.

Continue in K3, P2 rib for 8 more rounds.

Switch to stockinette stitch and work 18 rounds even.

Begin decreases:  Check to see that there are 17 sts on front needle and 18 sts on back needle.

K1, k2tog, knit to last three sts (on the rear needle), SSK, K1.

Knit 4 rounds even.

K1, k2tog, knit to last three sts (on the rear needle), SSK, K1.

Knit 19 rounds even.

Begin Thumb Gusset:

At beginning of round (the side where your locking stitch marker is) m1, k1, m1, pm, knit to end of round.  (with magic loop only one marker needs to be placed as the end of the rear needle with act as a marker).

Knit 1 round even.

Repeat last two rounds, increasing at start of round and before marker until you have 11 sts before the marker.

Next round:  place 11 sts on waste yarn using tapestry needle, remove marker.  CO 1 using backwards loop and continue working in the round.  31 sts.

Knit 1 round even.

Next round:  m1, k1, m1 knit to end of front needle.  Then on rear needle, m1, k1, m1, knit to end.  35 sts.

Knit 8 rounds even.

Switch to K3, P2 rib for 8 more rounds.  BO loosely.

Thumb:

Place 11 sts from waste yarn back on the needles, dividing over 3 needles.  PU and knit 9 sts in the gap.  20sts.

Knit 2 rounds even.

Work in K3, P2 rib for 4 more rounds.  BO loosely.

Make the 2nd mitt the same as the first, no need to reverse shaping.

Weave in all ends.

Block, wear, enjoy! 

Abbreviations:
K- knit
P- purl
CO- cast on
k2tog- Knit 2 stitches together
SSK- Slip slip knit
PM- place marker
PU- pick up
St St- stockinette stitch
BO- Bind off