Of course we need our mittens and gloves when taking walks, but there are many times we need are fingers, say when we are turning compost piles, taking pictures, or drawing little sketches of squirrels running around the warmed up soil.
These are really fun to work up because they are both simple, cute and really quick. How can you make a pair of fingerless mittens in just an evening? Well, you just let a little knit fall in love with a little crochet and then you have some great little fingerless mitten critters to keep your hands nice a toasty warm in a snap.

Materials

50g sport yarn for color A
50g sport yarn for color B
Size 3US (3.25 mm) straight needles
Side D (3.25 mm) crochet hook
Yarn needle

Sc2ktog – Single crochet two knit stitches together
Gauge: 4 single crochet/inch; 6sts/inch (in 1×1 rib)

Directions

Cast On 32 (36, 40) stitches with yarn A and size 3US knitting needles.
Knit 1 X 1 rib (k1, p1) for 2 3/4″.
Knit all one row.
With size D crochet hook and yarn B crochet stitches off knitting needle as follows: (Sc2ktog, 1sc into knit stitches) to last stitch, 1sc last knit stitch; chain 1, turn.
Row1: Sc into first single crochet stitch, 1sc each single crochet stitch to end of row, chain 1, turn.
Repeat row 1 until piece measures to bottom of middle finger.
With yarn A, pick up and knit stitches from the single crochet stitches as follows: Transfer loop from crochet hook to knitting needle, this is your first stitch. (Pick up and knit one stitch from the first single crochet stitch, pick up and knit 2 stitches from the next single crochet stitch) repeat to the last stitch, pick up and knit 1 stitch.
Work 1 X 1 rib for 1 1/2″ or desired length. Bind off all stitches.
Cast on 16sts with yarn A. Work 1 X 1 rib for 6 rows.
Decrease Row: K1, k2tog, work in patt as established to last three stitches, k2tog, k1.
Row 2: Work one row in pattern as established.
Repeat rows 1 & 2 until 3 stitches remain. Bind off all stitches.
Repeat all for your second fingerless mitten.


Compost Critters were originally published in the January 2009 issue of Craft Leftovers Monthly.