Leaf Cuff Set

Skill Level: Intermediate

Size: Mitts: Approximately 7.5” [20.3 cm] circumference; Hat:  20” [50.8 cm] circumference

Gauge: Mittens: 24 sts x 32 rows = 4” [10 cm] in stockinette, 22 sts x 28 rows in stranded; Hat: 21 sts x 28 rows in stockinette, 20 sts x 25 rows in stranded

Materials

Yarn:

 Brown Sheep Nature Spun (100% wool; 235 yards [224 meters]/100 grams): #156W Irish Shamrock (MC, 1 skein), #125W Goldenrod (CC, 1 skein)
Needles:  US size 4 (3.5 mm) double pointed needles (for mittens), US size 7 (4.5 mm) 16” circular and double points (for hat)
Notions: Scissors, tapestry needle

Special Stitches

Old Norwegian cast-on: Leaving a 6” long tail, make a slip knot with both yarns held together (this does not count as a stitch). Hold yarn same as for regular long tail cast on. With MC over thumb and CC over index finger, bring needle to left of thumb then under both strands of the MC, coming up to the right of the thumb strands bring needle over the second MC strand into the hole at the thumb, pulling strand down and towards you under the left strand. Take needle over CC strand on index finger from top and bring needle back down through loop on thumb. If you bend thumb slightly the X opens up making it clearer which way is out! Flip thumb loop over the top of needle, drop loop off thumb and tighten stitch. This is a nice, stretchy cast on with a durable edge. It stretches much more easily than regular long tail cast on and holds its shape well.
Double Purl: With the yarn held in front, slip one stitch from left needle to right needle as to purl, move yarn to back between needle points, slip the stitch just moved back to left needle, bring yarn to front again and purl this stitch as usual. Continue around – slip, wrap and purl each stitch as before. At end of round, slip first stitch purlwise with yarn in front, bring yarn to back and slip stitch back to left needle. Each stitch is wrapped with the yarn before purling. Keep the wraps loose for best effect.

Pattern Notes

Keep your strands loose on the back of the work so your stranded section doesn’t get too tight.  When working the charts some of the changes from one color to the other will be long. To keep the floats on the inside from catching on your fingers you can twist or catch your yarns every 3-4 stitches if you wish. Keep the floats loose so they don’t bunch up the stitching or show through. A good wool yarn will felt slightly with wear and the strands will stick to the back of the stitches.

Mittens Pattern

Using Old Norwegian Cast-On – cast on 40 sts using both colors with MC held over the thumb, CC over the index finger. When finished you should have gold stitches on the needle with a green edging below.
Drop slip knot. Join to round by slipping first st on left needle to right needle, bring working end of MC from back to front between needles, slip stitch back to left needle, bring MC yarn to back. Do not break either yarn.

Cuff

Double Purl one round with CC.
Work chart rows 1-17 using both colors.
Increase rnd: Using only CC, (knit 10, M1) around. (44 sts)
Work Double Purl around with CC.

Thumb Gusset

Break CC.
Thumb Set-up Rnd 1: With MC make 1 stitch, knit 1, make 1, place marker, knit around. (46 sts)
Rnd 2: Knit.
Rnd 3: M1, knit to marker, M1, slip marker, knit around. (48 sts)
Repeat rnds 2-3 five more times.
Knit 1 rnds. There will be 15 stitches before marker. (58 sts around)

Hand

Slip 15 gusset stitches onto a stitch holder or scrap yarn. Remove marker. Using a backward loop, CO 1 stitch over gusset space at beginning of round. (44 sts) 
Knit 14 rounds or until desired length.
Knit 1 round CC.
Work Double Purl around with CC.
Knit 1 round MC.
Bind off in MC.

Thumb

Put 15 sts from holder on needles. Pick up 5 stitches in cast on stitch area. Try to close up any spots that might make a hole. If you need to you can pick up extra stitches then decrease to 18 stitches around on first row. Knit 5 rows for thumb or until desired length. Knit 1 round in CC.
Work Double Purl around with CC.
Knit 1 round MC.
Bind off in MC. Break yarn and fasten off. Make a second mitt exactly the same. Weave in all ends and enjoy your new mitts!

Hat Pattern

Using Old Norwegian Cast On – cast on 100 sts using both colors with MC held over the thumb, CC over the index finger. When finished you should have gold stitches on the needle with a green edging below. Drop slip knot. Join to round by slipping first st on left needle to right needle, bring working end of MC from back to front between needles, slip stitch back to left needle, bring MC yarn to back. Do not break either yarn. 

Cuff

Double Purl one round with CC.
Work chart rows 1-17 using both colors.
Using only CC knit one round.
Work Double Purl around with CC.
Change to MC, knit until work measures 6” from cast-on edge.

Decreases

Rnd 1: (set-up round) (Knit 23, k2tog) repeat 3 more times. (96 sts)
Rnd 2: (K 10, k2tog) repeat 7 more times. (88 sts)
Rnd 3: Knit.
Rnd 4: (K 9, k2tog) repeat around. (80 sts)
Rnd 5: Knit.
Rnd 6: (K 8, k2tog) repeat around. (72 sts)
Rnd 7: Knit.
Rnd 8: (K 7, k2tog) repeat around. (64 sts)
Rnd 9: Knit.
Rnd 10: (K 6, k2tog) repeat around. (56 sts)
Rnd 11: Knit.
Rnd 12: (K 5, k2tog) repeat around. (48 sts)
Rnd 13: Knit.
Rnd 14: (K 4, k2tog) repeat around. (40 sts)
Rnd 15: Knit.
Rnd 16: (K 3, k2tog) repeat around. (32 sts)
Rnd 17: Knit.
Rnd 18: (K 2, k2tog) repeat around. (24 sts)
Rnd 19: Knit.
Rnd 20: (K 1, k2tog) repeat around. (16 sts)
Rnd 21: K2tog around. (8 sts)
Cut yarn leaving a tail.  Using a tapestry needle, thread yarn through stitches and pull tight.  Weave in all ends.