Braid Cable 4 Needle Mittens Pattern — free mittens & gloves knitting pattern

Easy-to-knit in children's and adult's sizes

About this pattern

This pattern was originally published in Hats, Mittens, Socks | Easy-Crochet .... Simple Knits and has passed into the public domain: the source states these designs "are no longer protected by copyright and you are free to do whatever you would like to do with them." It is reproduced here verbatim, including original vintage terminology, abbreviations, and measurements, which may differ from modern conventions. You can view the original transcription at freevintageknitting.com.

COATS & CLARK'S "RED HEART" KNITTING WORSTED, 4 Ply ("Tangle-Proof" Pull-Out Skeins): 2 ozs. for Sizes 4½ to 5½; 3 ozs. for Sizes 6 to 8; 4 ozs. for Sizes 8 to 9. Double-pointed needles, 1 set No. 3 and No. 5. A cable holder. GAUGE: 11 sts = 2 inches; 8 rnds = 1 inch.
Measurement around Palm	Inches	4½	5	5½	6	6½	7	7½	8	8½	9
RIGHT MITTEN … Starting at cuff with No. 5 needles, cast on	Stitches	28	30	32	34	36	38	42	44	46	50
Divide sts among 3 needles and join, being careful not to twist sts. Change to No. 3 needles and work 2 rnds of k 1, p 1 ribbing. Work in pattern as follows: 1st rnd: Work in ribbing over	Stitches	17	18	20	21	23	24	27	29	30	33
place a marker on needle, p 1, k 6, p 1, place another marker on needle (these are cable panel markers); work remainder of rnd in ribbing as established. 2nd rnd: Work in ribbing to marker, slip marker, p 1, slip next 2 sts on cable holder and hold in front of work, k next 2 sts, k 2 sts from holder, k 2, p 1, slip marker, complete rnd in ribbing. 3rd rnd: Slipping markers, repeat first rnd. 4th rnd: Work in ribbing to marker, slip marker, p 1, k 2, slip next 2 sts on holder and hold in back of work, k next 2 sts, k 2 sts from holder, p 1, slip marker, complete rnd in ribbing. Repeat last 4 rnds until cuff measures	Inches	1¾	1¾	2	2¼	2½	2½	2¾	3	3	3
Change to No. 5 needles. Next rnd: K to marker, slip marker, work in pattern across cable panel, k remainder of rnd. Repeat last rnd	Times	—	—	—	1	1	1	2	2	2	3
THUMB GORE ... 1st rnd: Place a marker on needle (this is first needle), p and k in the front of first st, k in front and back of next st (2 sts increased), place another marker on needle (these are thumb gore markers); k to cable marker, slip marker, work in pattern across cable panel, k remainder of rnd. 2nd and 3rd rnds: Slipping markers, k to cable marker, work in pattern across cable panel, k remainder of rnd. 4th rnd: Increasing one st following first marker on first needle, and one st preceding 2nd marker on first needle, k to cable marker, work in pattern across cable panel, k remainder of rnd. Repeat last 3 rnds until there are between gore markers ending with 3rd rnd	Stitches	8	8	8	10	12	12	14	14	16	16
Slip the sts of thumb gore from first needle to a safety pin to be worked later; cast on 2 sts on first needle for base of thumb, join and continue in pattern over these	Stitches	28	30	32	34	36	38	42	44	46	50
until mitten when tried on, reaches tip of little finger, or measures from last rnd of cuff	Inches	3½	4	4½	5	5½	5¾	6	6¼	6½	7
To Shape Tip: 1st rnd: On first needle, * place a marker, sl 1, k 1, p.s.s.o., work across	Stitches	10	11	12	13	14	15	17	18	19	21
k 2 tog. Repeat from * once more. 2nd rnd: Slipping markers, work in pattern around. 3rd rnd: * Slip marker, sl 1, k 1, p.s.s.o., work across to within 2 sts of next marker, k 2 tog. Repeat from * once more. Repeat last 2 rnds alternately until there remain	Stitches	12	14	12	14	16	18	18	20	22	22
Break off, leaving an 8-inch length of yarn. Thread the yarn into a needle and draw through remaining sts. Pull up tightly and fasten on wrong side.
THUMB … Slip sts from safety pin on two No. 5 needles; with 3rd needle, pick up and k 3 sts over the 2 cast-on sts of base of thumb. K around until thumb reaches ¼ inch from tip or measures	Inches	1¼	1½	1¾	2	2¼	2¼	2½	2½	2½	2½
To Shape Tip: 1st rnd: * K 2 tog, k 1. Repeat from * around. 2nd rnd: K around. Break off, leaving an 8-inch length and finish same as tip of mitten.
LEFT MITTEN ... Work as for Right Mitten until 2nd rnd of ribbing has been completed. Work in pattern as follows: 1st rnd: Work in ribbing over	Stitches	3	4	4	5	5	6	7	7	8	9
place a marker, p 1, k 6, p 1, place another marker (cable panel), work remainder of rnd in ribbing as established. Work cable pattern between markers, remainder of sts in ribbing until length of cuff is	Inches	1¾	1¾	2	2¼	2½	2½	2¾	3	3	3
Change to No. 5 needles. Next rnd: K to marker, slip marker, work in pattern across cable panel, k remainder of rnd. Repeat last rnd	Times	—	—	—	1	1	1	2	2	2	3
THUMB GORE ... 1st rnd: Work in pattern around to within last 2 sts on 3rd needle, place a marker on needle, p and k in front of first st, k in front and back of next st, place another marker on needle (these are thumb gore markers). Position of thumb gore is established. Complete mitten to correspond with Right Mitten.