Dishpan hands pattern

Somebody saw me knitting a square dishcloth one day and said that her aunt makes four little squares and sews them into a band that slips over the hand. I thought, why stop there when you could make a whole mitten? So that’s what I did.

This pattern should fit most hands. The cuff is fairly tight so that the mitten doesn’t slip off in the dish water. I gave it a purl swirl for texture, which makes for extra scrubability. The cotton is stretchy–this mitten fits me whether or not I’m wearing a rubber glove, and it also fits my husband’s hand (not that I can get him to use it). It makes a great gift. It’s unique, cheap, easy, and the best part is you only have to make one!

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS Circumference: 7.75 inches, Length: 8.5 inches

MATERIALS Peaches and Creme [100% cotton; 70.9g skein]; color: White; 1 ball OR other worsted weight dishcloth yarn

1 set US #6/4mm double-point needles

1 set US #8/5mm double-point needles

Medium stitch holder Tapestry needle

GAUGE 16 sts/24 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch with larger needles

PATTERN Using long-tail method, CO 30 sts on smaller needles. Work K1, P1 rib around until work measures .75 inches from CO edge. Switch to larger needles.

Row 1: K around Row 2: Inc 9 sts evenly over row: 39 sts. Row 3: (P1, K2) around. Row 4: (K1, P1, K1) around. Row 5: (K2, P1) around.

Rep rows 3-5 until work measures 3.5 inches, or until it reaches the bottom of your thumb. Next row: Work pattern as established for 15 sts. Slip next 9 sts onto stitch holder. Cont to work rem sts in patt: 30 sts. Cont to work in patt until piece measures 7.5 inches.

Next row: (K1, K2 tog) 10 times: 20 stitches. Next row: K Next row: (K2 tog) 10 times: 10 stitches. Next row: K Next row: (K2 tog) 5 times: 5 stitches.

Cut yarn and pull tail through remaining stitches.

Finish thumb Sl sts from holder onto needles. Pick up 3 sts on palm side of thumb: 12 sts. Work thumb sts in patt until thumb measures 2.25 inches. (K2 tog) 6 times: 6 stitches. Cut yarn and pull tail through rem sts.

FINISHING Weave in ends, and go wash your dishes!