How to knit mitten top decreases?
Mitten top decreases and closure can be made in many ways. In this post I tell you how the traditional Finnish mitten top is made. In this method decreases are placed on both sides. The decreases create a band-like lines on sides. On the tip of the mitten the bands come together and the closure is made by threading the tail of your yarn through the last stitches.
Mitten top decreases
Distribute you sts on 4 double pointed needles, same amount of sts on every needle. Knit first decrease round like this: Ssk, knit to last 3 sts on your second needle, k2tog, k1. Then repeat the same on third and last needle. You have now decreased 4 sts. There is 1 sts in between the decrease sts. See tutorials of ssk and k2tog here.
How to shape pointy mitten top?
Now you know how to work the decrease round. Many patterns advice to knit next round and then repeat decrease round every alternate round. That makes the top pointy. If you wish to knit more softly shaped top work like this:
Work decrease round, knit 3 rounds, work decrease round, knit 2 rounds, *work decrease round, knit 1 round*, repeat *-* until you have half of your sts left. Then work decrease round on every round until you have 8 sts left.
Cut yarn, leave 20 cm (8”) tail. Pull yarn through last 8 sts using tapestry needle. Pull tight. Thread the needle through the top sts one more time before weaving in the end. Ready!
How to distribute stitches if number of stitches is not divisible by four?
Sometimes you don’t have the same amount of sts on every needle. Let’s take an example. If you have 46 sts, distribute them like this 11-12-11-12 sts. Now work the top the same way as said before. At the end you will have 6 sts instead of 8. You can also finnish off when you have 10 sts left. Right amount depends on your yarn.
Place always the stitch pattern on hand in the middle. If your stitch pattern has 1 sts in the middle and the pattern is symmetrical on both sides, place odd number of sts between the decrease bands. If the middle of the patterns is in between the sts, place even number of sts between the decrease bands. This way the tip of the mitten aligns with the center-line of your pattern.
Variations of mitten decreases
The mitten top instructed here before have 3 sts wide decrease bands on both sides. When you work with heavy yarn, you can leave out the middle st and work k2tog and ssk right after each other. This way the decreases form narrow bands.
You can also make 4 sts wide decrease bands. Knit then 2 sts between k2tog and ssk. This is particularly good decrease when you work with lighter yarn.
Kaisla
This is my home lake in midwinter when the lake freezes. I simply love it. Film: Juha Salminen
Kaisla mittens
Kaisla is Finnish and it means Reed. My home lake has a thick bed of reeds on shores.This place is magical when the lake freezes. These mittens are inspired by the beautiful winter days and walks on ice through the bed of reeds.
Kaisla is a classical basic mitten pattern. With this pattern you can knit various different mittens. Just place every time a new stitch pattern on the back of hand.
Kaisla mitten has ribbed cuff and gusseted thumb. The back of hand features an easy lace pattern with some cables on sides.
The pattern has 2 sizes. The sample is knitted with DK weight yarn, size S/M. You can use lighter yarn as well. Choose then the bigger size.
Hand circumference: 18-20 cm (7½-8″)
Length: 27-29 cm (11-12″).
See the pattern on Ravelry. You can also order the pattern from this site. Just send me an email and I will tell you more.
Wish you happy knitting,
Piia Maria
