GOOD WIFE MITTENS

here are some mitten that i knitted for paul. now that i am married i am not sure i would bother doing such a thing but let's see.

a knitting hobby is a good one to pick up - it puts you in great company with supermodels and pop stars who are all keen to get their needles out.

for these mittens i used pure wool on two metal needles - acrylic wool makes a bad noise on metal needles. the actual farisle design i just made up as i went along. the pattern i used [and reproduced below] i just googled from the internet.

GOOD WIFE MITTENS
Sizes: Finished size 6"(7-8-9-10-11)"
Measure around the palm of hand to determine the size mitten to knit.
Directions are given for size 6". Changes for 7,8,9,10,11 inch are in parentheses.
Materials Needed:
2(2 1/2-3-3 1/2-4-4 1/2) oz [57(71-85-100-114-128)grams] worsted weight yarn.
#5 (3 3/4 mm) knitting needles for ribbing #7 (4 1/2 mm) knitting needles for hand 2 stitch holders 2 stitch markers yarn needle or #16 tapestry needle
Gauge: Stockinette stitch on #7 needles, 5 sts = 1", 7 rows = 1".
Be sure your own gauge corresponds with this gauge. Adjust needle size if necessary. Pattern is same for right and left hand mittens.

Ribbing: With smaller needles, cast on 30(34-40-44-50-54) sts. Row 1: *k1, p1,* rep *.* across row.
Row 2: (right side rows) *k1, p1,* rep *,* across row.
rep ribbing rows 1 and 2 until piece measures 2(2-2-2 1/2-2 1/2-2 1/2) inches from beg, last row worked is a right side row.

Hand: Change to larger needles. Size 6" work Rows 1-5. (Size 7"-8"-9"-10"-11" work Rows 1-7).
You will be working in stockinette st (k right side rows, p wrong side rows).
Rows 1, 3, 5, 7: p across row.
Rows 2, 4, 6: (right side row) k across row.
Thumb Gore:
Row 1: k 14(16-19-21-24-26) sts. Place marker on right needle.
K into front and back of next st (inc made).
K into front and back of next st (2nd inc made).
Place second marker on right needle.
K across rem 14(16-19-21-24-26) sts. There are 4 sts between markers.
Row 2: p across row.
Row 3: k 14(16-19-21-24-26) sts. Sl marker. Inc one. K to one st before marker, inc one. Sl marker. K across rem 14(16-19-21-24-26) sts.
Rep rows 2 and 3 until 10(12-14-14-16-18) sts between markers.
Work even in stockinette st until mitten reaches angle of thumb and index finger. Last row worked is a wrong side row.

Thumb:
Row 1: K to marker, sl 14(16-19-21-24-26) sts to holder. K to 2nd marker. Cast 1 st onto right needle. Sl rem 14(16-19-21-24-26) sts to holder. You are now knitting only the thumb.
Row 2: P across 11(13-15-15-17-19) sts. Cast 1 st onto right needle. Work even in stockinette st on 12(14-16-16-18-20) thumb sts until thumb is long enough. Last row worked is a wrong side row. Thumb Decrease:
Row 1: *k2tog*, rep *.* across row. There are 6(7-8-8-9-10) sts.
Row 2: p across. Row 3: *k2tog*, rep *.* across row.
Note: For size 7" and 10" only, you will end with one st on your left needle. K this st.
With yarn needle, draw through rem sts on needle.
Pull tight and secure top. Backstitch or weave seam from top to bottom.

Hand: Sl 14(16-19-21-24-26) sts from 1st holder to right needle. Join yarn and pick up 2 sts from base of thumb seam. Sl 14(16-19-21-24-26) sts from 2nd holder to left needle and k across them. There are 30(34-40-44-50-54) sts total. Continue to work in stockinette until mitten is 1 1/4(1 1/4-1 1/2-1 3/4-2-2) inches less than finished length. Last row worked is a wrong side row. Insert marker in center of sts on last p row.

Tip:
Row 1: k2tog, k 26(30-36-40-46-50) sts, k2tog. There are 28(32-38-42-48-52) sts.
Rows 2, 4, 6, 8: p across row.
Row 3: k2tog, k 10(12-15-17-20-22) sts, k2tog. sl marker, k2tog, k 10(12-15-17-20-22) sts, k2tog. There are 24(28-34-38-44-48) sts.
Row 5: k2tog, k 8(10-13-15-18-20) sts, k2tog, sl marker, k 8(10-13-15-18-20) sts, k2tog. There are 20(24-30-24-40-44) sts.
Row 7: k2tog, k 6(8-11-13-16-18) sts, k2tog, sl marker, k2tog, k 6(8-11-13-16-18) sts, k2tog. There are 16(20-26-30-36-40) sts.
Size 8": repeat Rows 7 and 8 one time more.
Size 9": Repeat Rows 7 and 8 two times more.
Sizes 10" and 11": Repeat Rows 7 and 8 three times more.

Finishing: Bind off rem sts. Backstitch or weave top and side seams of mitten. Fasten off all loose ends.