By Sarah Sumner-Eisenbraun

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My sister had a pair of convertible mittens when we were teenagers that she just loved. When I learned how to knit she asked me if I could make her a replacement pair. After years of looking for a pattern, I finally decided to just make up my own. I found the alpaca yarn that I used for this pattern at a craft fair—I even got the pet the alpacas that it came from!   

Size
M [L]

Finished Measurements
Length: 9 [10] inches
Width across palm: 4 [5] inches

Materials
MC: Desoto Bend Alpacas Alpaca Blend 3 ply [90% Alpaca, 10% Wool; 400 yds/366 m per 125 g skein] Natural Dark/White Mix; 1 skein.
CC: Lamb’s Pride Bulky [85% Wool, 15% Mohair; 125 yds/114 m per 113 g skein] M-38 Lotus Pink; 1 skein.
Note: The alpaca yarn is from a local farm.  Orders can be placed at www.dbalpacas.com.

1 set US 7 double pointed-needles
2 stitch markers
1 stitch holder or scrap yarn
Tapestry needle

Gauge
16 sts/24 rows = 4 inches stockinette stitch in MC

Pattern Notes
M1L: With left needle lift strand between needles from front to back and knit the loop through the back.
M1R: With left needle left strand between needles from back to front and knit the loop through the front.

Directions: (Make 2)
Cuff
With MC, CO 30[34] sts and divide evenly over 4 dpn.
Place marker and join to work in the round. 
Work in k1p1 ribbing until total length measures 2.5[3] inches.
Change to St st and inc 1 st at the end of the next rnd. (31, 35 total sts)

Thumb Gusset
Knit across 15[17] sts, pm, M1L, k1, M1R, pm.  K to end of rnd.  (33, 37 total sts)
Knit 1 round.
Inc row: K to m, slip m, M1L, knit to next m, M1R, slip m, k to end.
Knit 1 round.
Repeat inc row every 3rd row until the total gusset sts are 11(15) sts.

Hand
Knit across 15[17] sts.  Place gusset sts on st holder or scrap yarn.  CO 1 st over gap left by gusset, and k to end of rnd. (31, 37 total sts)
Work in St st until mitten measures about 5.5 [6] inches total, or until mitten is long enough to cover all but 0.5 inches of your palm.
Work in k1p1 rib st for 1 inch.
BO all sts in pattern.

Thumb
Divide sts from st marker or scrap yarn onto 3 dp needles.
PU 1 st over gap and join to knit in rnd. 
Work in St st until thumb  begins to cover thumbnail (about 2 inches).
*K2, k2tog* rep 3[4] times.
Knit 1 rnd.
*K1, k2tog* rep 3[4] times
Knit 1 round.
For size L only: Dec 2 more sts evenly in next rnd.
Cut yarn and thread tail through rem sts.

Left Convertible Top
(Note: You will actually be working around the mitten for this section. Because of the bulkiness of the CC this part of the mitten will have a very tight stitch.)

Designate with mitten will be for your left hand and which mitten will be for your right.
Work left hand mitten with palm down.  Beg 1 st left of the crook of the thumb and using CC, PU 18[20] sts along back of mitten.
Flip the mitten so it is palm up and CO 18[20] sts. Divide all sts evenly over 4 dpn, pm, and join in rnd. (36, 40 total sts)
Work in St st until piece measure to the top of your pinky nail or about 3[3.5] inches.

Shape Top
*K7[8], k2tog* rep to end of rnd.
Knit 1 rnd.
*K6[7], k2tog* rep to end of rnd.
Knit 1 rnd.
*K5[6], k2tog* rep to end of rnd.
Knit 1 rnd.
Continue in this manner, dec 4 sts every other rnd until 20 sts rem.
*K2, k2tog* rep to end of rnd.
*K1, k2tog* rep to end of rnd.
K2tog until end of rnd.
Cut yarn and thread tail through rem sts.
If desired add “L” (for left!) in duplicate st with MC.
 
Right Convertible Top
Work with right hand mitten palm down. Beginning at outer end of the back of the mitten and using CC, PU 18[20] sts along back of mitten.
Flip the mitten so the palm is up and CO 18[20] sts. Divide all sts evenly over 4 dpn, pm, and join in round.
Follow rem directions in the same way as with left hand mitten.
When finished, if desired, add an “R” (for right!) in duplicate st with MC.

Copyright Sarah Sumner-Eisenbraun 2005