I have a book called “Knit Something Special” for years. I have made many of the things that are in it but never the item I’m sharing with you today. I will be giving you the directions for a pair of Hunter Mittens. There is a special slot for the thumb and index finger - the shooting finger, if you will. If you have a hunter in the family, it would make a good Christmas gift.

Supplies: 4 ounces. 4-ply worsted weight yarn, 2 small stitch holders, and size #4 double pointed needles or whatever size will give you a gauge of 5 ½ stitches per inch.

These directions will give you a 9” to 9 ½” palm girth. I would suggest that you an outline of the hand on a piece of paper for reference unless the mittens are going to be a surprise. Then you‘ll have to wing it.

Directions: Cast on 40 stitches. Work in k1, p1 ribbing for 12 stitches on the first needle, and 14 each on the second and third needles. Join being careful not to twist. Rib for 3 inches.

Increase round: Use the “knit in front and the back” increase. First thumb increase: Increase in each of the first 2 stitches, k1, p1 - this begins the thumb gusset - (k3, increase 1) 8 times. K3, p1. Work 3 rounds even, keeping the purls as follows: needle #1, k5, p1, k10; needle #2, k 17; needle #3, k16, p1. 2nd thumb increase: on needle #1, increase in the first stitch, k2, increase in next stitch, k1, p1, knit the remainder of the round to the last stitch, p1. Work 3 rounds even, keeping the purls.

Continue increasing every 4th round in the 1st stitch on needle #1 and the second stitch before the purl until there are 13 stitches between purl stitches.

After your final gusset increase for the thumb, work 2 rounds even. Start the 3rd round k13, p1, then put the last worked 15 stitches on a holder including both purl stitches. Cast on 5 stitches on needle #3. Slip 7 stitches from needle #3 to the spare needle and knit stitches on needle #1. Knit 4 rounds.

Then knit and shift 3 stitches from needle #1 back to needle #3.This puts the beginning of your round back where it belongs. This shift was done to avoid a hole at the base of the thumb.

Work until 2 inches above the cast on, or the length from the crotch of the thumb to the crotch of the first finger on your outline.

For the left hand, knit 11 stitches ( for the right hand, knit 6 stitches) on needle #1. Put the last worked 14 stitches on a stitch holder. Complete the round. Cast on 2 stitches. For the left hand, slip 4 stitches to the spare needle (for the right hand, knit 2 stitches from needle #1 and put them on needle #3) and complete needle #1. Work 4 rounds. Shift your stitches so there is a change of needles directly above and between the two cast-on stitches. Keeping this beginning split, shift so that there are 12 stitches on each needle. Knit until 2 ½ inches above the 2 stitches cast on, or allow 1 inch for the shaping, measuring on the outline.

We will stop here and finish these directions next week. It may seem complicated but if you follow it step by step, you will see how it works.

I will be teaching a knitting class in my home the last Saturday of April from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. If you wish to attend or if you have any questions, please email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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