English Popover Mittens

Chunky cables and bobbles accent these special-occasion mittens.

Design by Diane Zangl

Skill Level

Intermediate

Sizes

Woman's small/medium (medium/large) Instructions are given for smaller size, with larger size in parentheses. When only 1 number is given, it applies to both sizes.

Finished Measurements

Circumference: 6 3/4 (7 3/4) inches
Length: 9 (10) inches

Materials

Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride (bulky weight; 85% wool/15% mohair; 125 yds/100g per skein): 1 (2) skein(s) wild violet #M173
Size 6 (4mm) double-point needles (set of 4) or size needed to obtain gauge
Cable needle
Stitch holders
Stitch markers

Gauge

16 sts and 24 rnds = 4 inches/10cm in St st.

To save time, take time to check gauge.

Special Abbreviations

N1, N2, N3: Needle 1, Needle 2, Needle 3.

Make 1 Left (M1L): Insert LH needle from front to back under strand between the last st worked and the next st on LH needle, k1-tbl. St slants to the left.

Make 1 Right (M1R): Insert LH needle from back to front under strand between the last st worked and the next st on LH needle, k1 through front of loop. St slants to the right.

Make Bobble (MB): (K1, yo, k1, yo, k1) all in same st, turn; p5, turn; pass 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th st over first, k1-tbl.

Cable over 4 back (C4B): Slip next 2 sts to cn and hold in back, k2, k2 from cn.

Cable over 4 front (C4F): Slip next 2 sts to cn and hold in front, k2, k2 from cn.

Pattern Stitches

Note: A chart is provided for those preferring to work Popover Cable pat from a chart.

Popover Cable (panel of 11 sts)

Rnd 1: P1, k9, p1.

Rnds 2, 4, 6 and 8: P1, k9, p1.

Rnd 3: P1, C4B, k1, C4F, p1.

Rnd 5: P1, k4, MB, k4, p1.

Rnd 7: P1, k3, MB, k1, MB, k3, p1.

Rep Rnds 1-8 for pat.

Mock Cable (multiple of 3 sts)

Rnd 1: *K2, p1; rep from * around.

Rnd 2: *Knit 2nd st on LH needle through front loop, leaving st on needle, knit first st, slip both sts off needle, p1; rep from * around.

Rep Rnds 1 and 2 for pat.

Left Mitten

Cuff

Cast on 27 (30) sts. Distribute sts evenly on 3 needles. Place marker for beg of rnd and join, taking care not to twist sts.

Work in Mock Cable pat until cuff measures 2 1/2 inches, inc 2 (3) sts on last rnd -- 29 (33) sts.

Thumb gusset

Set up pat: K2, place marker, k1, place marker, k3, work Rnd 1 of Popover Cable pat over next 11 sts, knit to end of rnd.

Inc rnd: K2, slip marker, M1L, k1, M1R, slip marker, work in established pat to end of rnd -- 31 (35) sts.

Continue in established pat, inc 2 sts between markers [every other rnd] 4 (5) more times -- 39 (45) sts.

Hand

K2, sl 11 (13) sts between markers to holder for thumb, cast on 1, work to end of rnd -- 29 (33) sts.

Work even in established pat until mitten measures 8 (9) inches from cast-on edge.

Shape top

Rnd 1: [K2tog, k1] 9 (11) times, [k2tog] 1 (0) time(s) -- 19 (22) sts.

Rnd 2: Knit around.

Rnd 3: K1, *k2tog, k1; rep from * around -- 13 (15) sts.

Rnd 4: Knit around.

Rnd 5: [K2tog] 6 (7) times, k1 -- 7 (8) sts.

Cut yarn and draw through rem sts.

Thumb

Slip sts from holder to 2 needles, pick up and k1 in cast-on edge of opening -- 12 (14) sts.

Distribute sts with 4 (5) sts on N1, 4 sts on N2 and 4 (5) sts on N3. Place marker for beg of rnd and join.

Work even in St st until thumb measures 2 1/4 (2 3/4) inches.

Shape thumb top

Dec rnd: [K2tog] around -- 6 (7) sts.

Cut yarn and draw through rem sts.

Right Mitten

Cuff

Work same as for left cuff.

Thumb gusset

Set-up rnd: K12 (16), work Rnd 1 of Popover Cable pat over next 11 sts, k3, place marker, k1, place marker, k2.

Inc rnd: Work in established pat to last 3 sts, slip marker, M1L, k1, M1R, slip marker, k2 -- 31 (35) sts.

Continue in established pat, inc 2 sts between markers [every other rnd] 4 (5) more times -- 39 (45) sts.

Hand

Work 26 (30) sts as established, sl 11 (13) sts between markers to holder for thumb, cast on 1, k2 -- 29 (33) sts.

Work remainder of mitten same as for left mitten.