Semplice Fingerless Mitts

Knitting for men can be hard, but what man wouldn't like a soft pair of fingerless mitts in a deep mossy green color?  I selected the Semplice Fingerless Mitts by Stacey Winklepleck to knit for a family friend whose taste I'm not super familiar with.  The pattern is classic and simple, but I upped the elegance by using sport weight 100% baby alpaca Andean Treasure yarn (63 g).  I knit the large mitts on size 3 (3.25 mm) knitting needles.

 

I LOVE the twisted ribbing.  It gives a little refinement to an otherwise simple (but classic) pattern.

Notes from Construction of the Semplice Mitts:

• 9 rounds of twisted rib = 1"
• 25 rounds of stockinette for the mitt to measure just >4" 
• Increases for thumb - knit until 16 sts between markers, ending on Round 2.  
• After set aside thumb, 15 rounds (just shy of 2") of stockinette.  
• 9 rounds twisted rib
• Bind off in pattern
• Thumb: K4 rounds for the half inch.  3 rounds ribbing, bind off in pattern.  

Unlike other mittens I've made, the increases for the thumb happen along the start of the round (as opposed to the half way point of the round.)  I wonder what made the designer differ from convention.  I tried the mitt on Keith before binding off.  My hands are so small that it is hard for me to tell scale and proportion for a Man's hand!

I really like the twisted rib on these mitts. (I've said this already, but I really really like it!)    It is so simple but looks so much nicer when stretched than a standard rib.  I think I will use this more in the future!