And as a nod to a slightly spookier seasonal offering…. a pair of bloody mittens. I was thinking “Lady MacBeth” and her out damn spot initially…. then thought fingerless bloody mittens…. and finally realised I would rather have warm fingers. And they are definitely worrisome for a few reasons. Given that I began 2020 (before all went to hell in a hand basket) by chopping the top of my finger off in a quiche related injury, these are indeed the spookiest things I have made in a long, long time, and they make me giggle ironically.

You will need:
– 5mm needles (circular or dpn)
– Red and white DK or Aran yarn
– Darning needle

You can make these smaller easily by using 4mm needles. Mostly I did these with the 5mm needles as, well, all the 4’s currently have projects attached to them, and my DK yarn was really more of an Aran…. so I went this way.

Cast on 40 stitches in the round in white. I use 2 circular needles and have 20 stitches on each.

Rib 16 rows with a knit 1, purl 1 repeat.

Knit 16 rows (stockinette stitch) in the round. You are now up to the thumb placement.
Mitten 1: Knit 6 stitches, slip these onto a stitch holder or safety pin. Leave these for now. Cast on 6 more stitches, finish the row, and rejoin in the round. Knit 3 rows.
Mitten 2: Knit to the end of the row. Slip the last 6 slip these onto a stitch holder or safety pin. Leave these for now. Cast on 6 more stitches and rejoin in the round. Knit 3 rows.

Now go to the knitting chart. Complete the 14 rows of the chart, introducing the red stitches as they come. You are now done with the white completely, and your gloves will be red.
Knit 4 rows.

Treat the stitches now in halves (this is why I like working on 2 circular needles – it makes this easier)
Knit 1, SSK, knit to last 3 stitches, K2tog, knit 1 – repeat on the second side – 18 on each side
Knit row
Knit 1, SSK, knit to last 3 stitches, K2tog, knit 1 – repeat on the second side – 16 on each side
Knit row
Knit 1, SSK, knit to last 3 stitches, K2tog, knit 1 – repeat on the second side – 14 on each side
Knit row
Knit 1, SSK, knit to last 3 stitches, K2tog, knit 1 – repeat on the second side – 12 on each side
Knit row
Knit 1, SSK, knit to last 3 stitches, K2tog, knit 1 – repeat on the second side – 10 on each side
Knit row

Line up both sides of the mitten – Kitchener bind off all the stitches.

Thumbs

Pick up the 6 held stitches on dpns. Pick up 10 stitches around the thumb hole evenly. (16 stitches)
Knit 16 rows.
Knit 2 together over the whole row. (8 stitches)
Cut the yarn with 20cm tail remaining. Slip the remaining stitches onto the yarn tail, pull to tighten. Stitch up the top of the thumb.

Darn in your yarn tails on both mittens.