Cafe au Lait!

Cafe au Lait Mitts
by Paula McKeever

Wear these mitts on a cool day, with fingers free to hold that warm cup of coffee or tea.

Materials:
1 ball Sublime Cashmere Silk Merino DK (127 yds), or other DK yarn
Size 4 needles, DPNs or circulars for Magic Loop
2 stitch markers
waste yarn or stitch holder

Gauge: 25 sts = 4 inches

Crosshatch Lace Pattern:
Row 1: * K3, K2tog, YO, K1, rep from *
Row 2: * K2, K2tog, YO, K2, rep from *
Row 3: * K1, K2tog, YO, K3, rep from *
Row 4: * K2tog, YO, K4, rep from *
Row 5: * K1, YO, ssk, K3, rep from *
Row 6: * K2, YO, ssk, K2, rep from *
Row 7: * K3, YO, ssk, K1, rep from *
Row 8: * K4, YO, ssk, rep from *

Cast on 42 stitches loosely and join in the round. Divide stitches in groups of 6 on your needles – for Magic Loop this will be 18 sts on the front needle, and 24 on the back needle. Work K1 P1 ribbing for 16 rounds. Change to Crosshatch Lace stitch and work Rows 1-7 of pattern. In row 8, work 6 pattern sts, PM, M1, PM, continue in pattern to end of round.

Thumb Gusset: Next round (Row 1 of pattern): Work 6 pattern sts, place marker, M1, K1, M1, place marker, continue in pattern to end of round.

Increase 2 sts between markers every third round as follows: work in pattern to marker, Slip Marker, M1, K up to Marker, M1, Slip Marker, continue to end of round. You will do the increases on the following rows of the pattern: Row 1, 4, 7, 2, 5, 8, 3, and 6. On all other rounds, knit all stitches between markers.

Work increases until you have 17 sts between markers. Work 2 more rows, finishing with Row 8. Next row: work 6 sts in pattern, place 17 sts between markers on waste yarn, continue in pattern. Do two more complete pattern repeats (16 rounds). Work P1 K1 ribbing for 4 rounds. Bind off with sewn bind-off or other stretchy bind off.

Thumb: Place 17 sts from waste yarn onto circular needle, or DPNs. Pick up and knit 3 sts from top of gusset, then continue knitting around the 17 gusset sts. Work 4 rounds total, then switch to K1 P1 ribbing for 4 rounds. Bind off loosely, or use Elizabeth Zimmerman's sewn bind-off or other stretchy bind off.

Make second mitt the same as the first.

Abbreviations:
st - stitch
K – Knit
P - Purl
K2tog – Knit two stitches together
ssk – Slip stitch, slip 2nd stitch, slip back on left needle and knit together
PM – Place marker
DPN – double pointed needle

Crosshatch Lace Pattern from More Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch

for personal use only, copyrighted by Paula McKeever 2008