Thrummed Mittens

This version of thrummed mittens was created from some patterns on the world wide web, but after several mittens, I tweaked it to this version.  The difference is having the thrums on every FIFTH row (I felt the thrums were too close together on FOUR rows and the lining too thick) and I also detailed the right and left mitten as separate instructions, instead of "reverse shaping for the left mitten" which is difficult when placing the thumb.  I hope it is a little more clear.  As always, working with the roving thrums takes a bit of getting used to.  Please read the "making of a thrum" carefully and maybe watch a video on the net to get the idea, before you plunge in.  The yarns in the photo are handspun, but any DK yarn (ball band will suggest 4mm (US 6) needles) and any type (wool, blends, even acrylic) will work for these.

 Thrummed Mittens:  

Yarn:  100 grams of DK weight yarn  (100 g ball, DK weight, approx 200 meters)

Thrumbs: 50 grams of merino roving

Needles:    4mm double points (set of four)

Other:  Stitch markers, stitch holder  (spare yarn will do),  darning needle

Making a thrum:  (thrum 1):  Pull roving into 4 inch lengths, then pull a pinky finger width as your thrum.  To place it (thrum 1) twist the middle a bit to thin it.  It should be similar in width to your yarn.  Hold your DK yarn out of the way, use your thrum instead to “knit” the next stitch.  Draw your DK yarn across the back of the thrum and knit the next stitch as usual.  When you get to the row above the thrum row, just knit the thrum stitch as you do  the DK stitches.  As you get one more row above, you can gently pull the fluffy back into the center of the mitten, to snug the stitch securely in place. 

Gauge: 20 sts and 28 rows = 4 inches in stocking stitch

Right Mitten:

Cast on 38 and divide onto three double point needles:  12 / 12/  14

Join without twisting, and work in k1, p1 ribbing for 2.5 inches. Change to stocking stitch, and on the first row, increase 6 stitches, evenly spaced with 2 on each needle.  (increase by knitting in the front and the back of one stitch = 1 increased stitch)  44 stitches on three needles.

Knit stocking stitch for three more rows.

Thrum Pattern:

Row 1: [ knit 3, thrum 1 ] repeat until end of row.

Row 2, 3, 4, 5 :   knit all stitches.

Row 6:   knit 1, [ thrum 1, knit 3] repeat until 3 left,     thrum 1, knit 2

Row 7, 8, 9, 10 :  knit all stitches.

Repeat these 10 rows until mitten measures 3 inches from the top of the ribbing.   *** end with a Row 2, 3, or 7, 8*****

Thumb placement row:  Knit two, slip next 8 stitches onto a stitch holder, or use waist yarn and darning needle thread yarn through these 8 stitches, and tie for later.  Turn your work and Cast On 8 new stitches, then continue the row in stocking stitch.

Continue on the 44 stitches in the Thrum Pattern until mitten measures 6 inches from top of ribbing.

Decrease top of mitten:    (****: Mark the halfway point after 22 stitches with a stitch marker.)

Row 1:   [knit 1, Knit 2 together, knit to 3 stitches before the marker, knit 2 together , knit 1] repeat for other half.   **** skip the thrum if it will be places at the decrease or the stitch outside that decrease***

Row 2:    knit all stitches.

Repeat these two rows until there are 16 stitches left, **** you will need to re-distribute the stitches evenly onto the three needles, as the middle needle may have too few to work as you near the end****  Use Kitchener stitch to close the top of the mitten.

Thumb:  Place the 8 held stitches onto one needle.  Join yarn and with 2^nd needle pick up 2 stitches on the side left side of the thumb “hole”, then 4 more to the center of the cast on 8 stitches.  With 3^rd needle pick up the other 4 cast on stitches, then 2 more down the right side of the thumb hole.  Join in a circle, there are 20 stitches in total.  Work in the Thrumb Pattern up the thumb until it measures 2 inches. 

Top of thumb:  Row 1:  knit 2,   [knit 2 together, knit 1] repeat until end of row.

Row 2:   knit

Rpow 3:  Knit 2 together all round.   Break  12 inches of yarn and use darning needle to gather live stitches and secure.

Left Mitten:

Work as right mitten until thumb placement row.

Knit this row until you have 10 stitches left on the last needle.  Slip the next 8 stitches onto the holder, and cast on 8 new stitches. 

Continue to finish the mitten in the same way as the right mitten including the thumb instuctions. 

Finish:  sew in loose yarn ends.  Turn the mitten inside out and “fluff” the roving to evenly distibute the merino wool.  As you wear them, they will matt a bit and become more even.

 This photo shows the inside of one of the mittens.  The thrums will matt further upon wearing.