Tear off the covers, leap down the stairs, bound toward the living room...it's Christmas morning!

Well, Christmas Knit-a-long morning, that is!

Over the course of the next few months, we'll be leisurely working on several small projects for friends and family and hopefully take the stress out of last-minute Christmas knitting. At the end, we'll have a neat stack of lovingly handmade items instead of those clearance dollar-store buys I end up getting on Christmas eve when it becomes evident I won't finish my projects in time!

Our first project: Mini-mitts!

 In years past I've made tons of these little mittens, meant to cover just the palm of the hand. They're great for cool fall weather and for freedom of motion. You can even knit in them! Make these mitts for your sister or best friends.

Materials:

Briggs and Little Sport or Durasport 4 oz skein (though you will be able to get many pairs from one skein!)

set of size 2.75mm double pointed needles

Lace Repeat (9 stitches):

Begin Pattern:

Cast on 46 stitches, join to work in the round.

Round 1: knit one, purl one, repeat until end.

Repeat round 1 4 times more for a total of 5 ribbing rows at the cuff.

Round 6: Increase in the first stitch, knit until end.

Round 7: knit 2, *knit 2 together, knit 2, yarn over, knit 1, yarn over, knit 2, slip 2, knit slipped stitches together* repeat between ** until end. (Note, a slip 1, knit 1, passed slipped stitch over works just as well here for the second decrease)

Round 8: Increase 1, knit 2, increase 1, knit until end.

Round 9: knit 4, *knit 1, knit 2 together, yarn over, knit 3, yarn over, slip 2 stitches and knit together, knit 1* repeat between ** until end.

Round 10: increase in first stitch, knit 4, increase, knit to end.

Continue in pattern until you have 8 thumb stitches. After this, knit the 8 thumb stitches and continue in the lace pattern until you have 8 pattern repeats.

Next round (ending on the last knit row of the lace pattern): Slip first 8 stitches (thumb stitches) to waste yarn or a holder. Continue with row 1 of the lace pattern, repeat until end (5 lace patterns around).

Continue in lace pattern for 3 more repeats.

Next round: Knit 2 stitches together. purl 1, *knit 1, purl 1* repeat between ** to end.

2nd Rib round: knit 1, purl 1, repeat until end.

repeat 2nd rib round 3 more times for a total of 5 ribbing rows.

Cast off loosely.

Thumb:

Slip 8 thumb stitches to needles, dividing evenly. Pick up 6 stitches from thumb hole. Join and work 5 knit 1, purl 1 ribbing rows. Cast off VERY loosely in pattern.

Repeat entire pattern for mitt 2. Tuck in ends (bleck) and block (also bleck but very necessary).

Repeat for as many sisters, aunts and friends as you have!

 Check out our group and event page for the knitalong on Ravelry!

Thanks for looking and Merry (almost) Christmas!