Hillhead Mittens

I knitted these up as a Christmas present for my brother. He's just got a job working outdoors so I thought he could do with some more insulation! They fit an average sized man's hand, but they're easy to adapt to make smaller or larger. 

Yarn : Rowan pure wool dk, 2 balls = 248 m (hardly used any of second ball though). Scraps of rowan alpaca cotton for snowflake design.

Materials: Set of 4 4mm / US 6  double pointed needles, embroidery needle for swiss darning, two stitch marker, stitch holder (or scrap of yarn).

Gauge: 22 stitches = 10cm in stocking stitch.
         
Size: One size, fits average man's hand.

Notation: 

k = knit
p = purl
sl = slip
k1bf = knit into the back of a stitch then the front, slide stitch off left hand needle.
k1bfb = knit into the back of a stitch, then the front, then the back again. Slide off left hand needle.

CO = cast on
pm = place marker
ssk = slip two knitwise onto right hand needle, then knit them together
k2tog = knit two stitches together

mc = main colour = rowan pure wool dk
cc = contrast colour = rowan alpaca cotton

Directions:


Fisherman's Rib in the round:
Row 1:  *k1 p2* to end of row
Row 2: *sl1 p2* to end of row

Snowflake Chart:

Mittens (make two):
CO 45 stitches across 3 dpns in mc (15 stitches per needle) and join in the round. Work in fisherman's rib for 16 rows. Now work 6 rows in stocking stitch (i.e. knit every stitch). Now  k22 ,pm, kfbf, pm, k22.
Next row: knit
Next +1 row: knit to marker, slip marker, kfb, knit to one stitch before next marker, kfb, slip marker, knit to end of row.

Repeat these last two rows until you have 15 stitches between your markers. Next row, knit to marker, remover marker, place the next 15 stitches on a holder, remove second marker, kfb into next stitch, knit to end of row. Continue in stocking stitch until mitten measures 7'' from cuff or until it's approx 1'' shorter than the hand it's intended for. Next row: k19 ssk k2 k2tog k17 ssk k1.

Now divide the stitches so there are 21 on the first needle, 11 on the second needle and 10 on the third. Repeat the following two rows until 12 stitches remain.
Row 1: knit
Row 2: Needle 1:  k1 k2tog knit to last three stitches on needle, ssk k1. Needle 2: k1 k2tog, knit to end of needle. Needle 3: knit to last three stitches, ssk k1.

When 12 stitches remain, slip the stitches from needle 2 onto needle 3 and bind off using kitchener stitch.

Put the 15 thumb stitches back on the dpns (5 stitches on each). Work in stocking stitch until thumb measures 2 1/2 inches, or 1/2'' shorter than required.
Next row: *k3 k2tog* to end
Next +1 row: *k2 k2tog* to end
Next+2 row: *k1 k2tog* to end.
Cut yarn leaving a 6'' tail. Thread remaining stitches onto the yarn, pull tight and secure inside the mitten.


By swiss darning, (see tutorial) embroider the snowflake design using cc onto the front of each mitten. Weave in loose ends.