RIBBED TWO (handwarmers)

This cowl is part of a series of beginner friendly patterns. The series includes a cowl, fingerless mittens/handwarmers and several hat/toque sizes, are all knitted in the round. If you are new to knitting-in-the-round, I recommend starting with either the cowl or fingerless mittens before working on the hat. Knitting a hat uses decreases at the top to shape the crown and would require a change in needles or in-the-round knitting method to finish. The mittens are designed with two cuff lengths: a short (Size 1) and a longer cuff (Size 2) that will tuck nicely into the sleeves of your coat. They’re ambidextrously shaped for easy wearing, and for a simpler knitting process to the conventional right- and left-hand mittens. Knitting starts at the cuff, is worked in the round to the thumb opening. The thumb opening is worked flat and returns to in-the-round knitting to finish. There’s a subtle change in gauge at the top edge of the mittens. This provides structure and a tidy finish at the edge. You’ll find these are knitted to a tighter gauge – this provides durability and extra wind proofing to the mittens. **SIZE** one size, two cuff length options: 1 (2) **FINISHED MEASUREMENTS** 5.5”/ 13.75 cm, circumference (unstretched). 7” (10”)/ 17.5 (25) cm finished length. Approx. intended ease: -0.5” – 0” / -1.25 – 0 cm. (will comfortably fit hand sizes 7.5 – 8” / 18.75 – 20 cm circumference, measured across the widest part of the hand, above the thumb). **MATERIALS** WORSTED WEIGHT YARN: 1 (2) skeins mYak baby yak medium (100% baby yak down, 125 yds / 117 m, 3.5 oz. / 50 g), colourway Teal and Oatmeal. Or equivalent worsted weight yarn. YARDAGE: 1.76 (3.5) oz. / 50 (100) g, 125 (219) yds / 117 (200) m. SUGGESTED NEEDLES Either circular knitting needles (minimum 32” / 80 cm length to knit in the magic loop method) or DPNs (5” / 13 cm long) in the sizes listed below. Top edge finishing needles: US 2 / 3 mm needles. Main needles: US 3 / 3.25 mm needles. Or use the needle size needed to meet the pattern’s gauge and use one needle size smaller for the top edge of the mittens. Choose your preferred needle type (circulars or DPNs) for knitting in the round. Note: a match in gauge will yield a similar resulting item to the photographed samples. **GAUGE** 34.5 sts x 30 rnds = 4” x 4” / 10 x 10 cm, unstretched and after blocking, in 1x1 rib, using main needles. Block by washing following the instructions on the label/ball band of the yarn and gently pin out to dry. **ABBREVIATIONS** (full list in the pattern) BOR – beginning of round k – knit K2tog – knit 2 together p – purl **NOTES** The subtle change in needles gently shapes the top edge of the mittens for a narrower circumference and improved fit. You can choose to knit the entire mitten on one needle size, omitting the narrower shaping at the top.