How to Make Convertible Mittens
... Keeping Photographers Hands Warm

Convertible mittens are the answer to protecting your hands from cold cameras and tripods in chilly weather.... but needing hands-free to make adjustments on your camera. These are my favourite mittens and I made several pairs.

What you need to knit my favorite photography accessory -- convertible mittens...

One set of four 3 1/4 mm (US 3) double pointed needles or size to obtain the correct tension. One 4 mm double pointed needle (optional).

Make sure you test the tension first before you knit these convertible mittens or you might be sorry!

Step by Step to Convertible Mittens

Yarn and tension...

Your needle size will vary according to the thickness of the yarn you use.

Check the label on your yarn (BEFORE you buy it!). It should note the tension for a 4 inch swatch (10 cm) = 23 stitches and 30 rows using 3 1/4 mm needles in stocking stitch. Change the size according to your swatch results.

I use my own handspun yarns for all my knitted garments but many store purchased yarns will knit up fine for your convertible mittens.

Glenys's Cool Convertible Photography MittensVery cool convertible photography mittens. Glenys swears by them for handling cold tripods and cameras. Pull the flap back when you need to work with your camera.

Instructions...

These instructions are for the smaller size (average woman's hand). For the larger size convertible mittens, use the instructions in ( ).

Right hand...

*** With your smaller needles cast on 48 stitches (sts). Divide 16 stitches equally between 3 needles. Knit them in a round and make sure you don't twist the stitches. Work 9 cm (3 1/2 in) in K2 P2 ribbing. Knit 2 (6) rounds.

To make thumb gusset: 1st round: P1 (Inc 1 st in nect st) twice, P1. Knit to the end of round.

Next 4 rounds: Knit all knit sts and purl all purl sts as they appear.

Next round: P 1. Increase 1 st in next st. Knit to 2 sts before the next purl st. Inc 1 st in next st K1. P1. Knit to the end of round.

** Next 2 rounds: Knit all knit sts and purl all purl sts as they appear.

Next round: P1. Inc 1 st in next st. Knit to 2 sts before the next purl st. Inc 1 st in next st. K1, P1. Knit to end of round **.

Repeat from ** to ** until there are 14 sts between the 2 purled sts. 60 sts.

Next 2 rounds: Knit all knit sts and purl all purl sts as they appear.

Next round: Turn. Cast on 4 sts.

Turn: Slip next 16 sts onto a thread and leave for thumb. Knit to end of round. 48 sts. ***

Next round: (Marking round). K24. Place marker. If desired, change to 4 mm needle and knit to end of round. Place marker.

(It might be helpful to pull a piece of contrasting yarn through the stitches between the markers knit on larger needle. Knitting these stitches on a larger needle makes it easier to pick up stitches from them when working the flap of your convertible mittens.)

Change to smaller needles. Knit 10 (12) rounds.

Making the 4 fingers...

To make 1st finger: Knit first 5 sts. Slip all but the last 9 sts onto a thread.

Turn: Cast on 2 sts.

Turn: Knit the last 9 sts. Divide these 16 sts onto 3 needles. Join in round. Knit to end of round. Work 8 rounds in (K2 P2) ribbing. Cast off in ribbing.

To make 2nd finger: Slip next 6 sts from thread.

Turn: Cast on 2 sts.

Turn: Knit last 6 sts. Pick up and knit 2 sts at base of first finger. Divide these 16 sts onto 3 needles. Join in round. Knit to end of round. Work 8 rounds in (K2 P2) ribbing. Cast off in ribbing.

To make 3rd finger: Slip next 6 sts from thread.

Turn: Cast on 2 sts.

Turn: Knit last 6 sts. Pick up and knit 2 sts at base of second finger. Divide these 16 sts onto 3 needles. Join in round. Knit to end of round. Work 8 rounds in (K2 P2) ribbing. Cast off in ribbing.

To make 4th finger: Slip the last 10 sts from thread. Pick up and knit 2 sts at base of third finger. Divide these 12 sts onto 3 needles. Join in round. Knit to end of round. Work 8 rounds in (K2 P2) ribbing. Cast of ribbing.

To make thumb: Knit the 16 sts which were left for the thumb. Pick up and knit 4 sts at base of thumb. Divide these 20 sts onto 3 needles. Knit 17 (19) rounds even.

Next round: (K3, K2 tog) 4 times.

Next round: (K2 K2 tog) 4 times.

Next round: (K1 K2 tog) 4 times.

Break the yarn. Thread the end through the 8 sts. Draw up and fasten securely. You've finished the hardest part of your convertible mittens.

Glenys's Cool Convertible Photography MittensGlenys's Cool Convertible Photography Mittens with the flap over the fingers. Keep your fingers snug on those cold days of outdoor shoots.

Making the flap:

Begin at the marker, pick up 24 sts across loosely knit sts of marked reound. Cast on 24 sts. Divide these 48 sts onto 3 needles. Join in round.

Knit 10 rounds: K24 (P2 K2) 6 times.

Next round: Knit

Knit 15 rounds even.

Then...

1st round: Sl1, K1, psso, K20, K2 tog, Sl1, K1, psso, K20, K2 tog.

2nd and alternate rounds: Knit.

3rd round: Sl1, K1 psso, K18, K2 tog, Sl1, K1, psso, K18, K2 tog.

5th round: Sl1, K1, psso, K16, K2 tog, Sl1, K1, psso, K16, K2 tog.

Continue to decrease in this way until there are 16 sts in the round.

Next round: Knit, Cast off.

Sew the top seam of your knit mittens. If you think the flap will get in your way, sew a fastener or velcro onto the glove and the flap. Then the flap will be secured when you need your fingers free for your camera...

I haven't had any problems so I didn't add them.

Now to make the left hand of your convertible mittens...

Work from *** to *** as you did for the Right Hand.

Next round: (Marking round). Place your marker. Change to the larger needle and K 24. Place your maker. (It might be helpful to draw a length of contrasting yarn through the stitches between markers that you knit on the looser needle.) Change back to the smaller needles and knit to the end of the round.

Knit 10 (12) rounds.

To make the 1st finger: Knit first 9 sts. Slip all but last 5 sts onto a thread. Cast on 2 sts. Knit last 5 sts. Divide these 16 sts onto 3 needles. Join in round. Work 8 rounds in (K2 P2) ribbing. Cast off in Ribbing.

Work the remainder of the Left Hand the same as instructions for the Right Hand of your knit mittens.

These Convertible Mitts are the best invention ever! They keep my fingers toasty warm on frosty fall garden photography visits.

And here they are keeping my model's hands cozy...

Convertible mitten with fingers covered.
Convertible mitten with fingers free.

Now all you need to do is to put your cozy photography accessory to good use...

convertible mittens - knit with love!

› › Convertible Mittens

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