It’s called the “Life Line,” the crease that arcs from the bottom center of the palm, up and around that fleshy mound, to the point between the index finger and thumb. It’s said that this line represents the strength and vitality of one’s life. I’m no palm reader, but there’s one thing I know for certain when it comes to the hands…

Arched Gusset Mittens | Purl Soho

You gotta keep those palms, fingers and thumbs comfy and cozy during these interminable winter months, or all those lines, life, vitality and otherwise, will be woefully worse for wear.

Arched Gusset Mittens | Purl Soho

Echoing the natural curves of our hands these Arched Gusset Mittens fit, well… like a glove. They have extra tapering at the pinky-side top and a gusset that literally traces the lines on your hands. Plus, the pattern comes in three widths and includes instructions for modifying lengths. Knit in Purl Soho’s Flax Down, an alpaca, merino and linen blend, these mittens are speckled with nature and incredibly soft to the touch.

Arched Gusset Mittens | Purl Soho

Finish out this winter with strength and vitality. Warm-up with a fresh pair of mittens! -Laura

UPDATE: NOW IN KNITTING YARN

SEPTEMBER 2022

Arched Gusset Mittens | Purl Soho

Now in Knitting Yarn, it only takes one ball to knit up a pair of Arched Gusset Mittens in any size! Made of 100% merino wool from New Zealand, Knitting Yarn has a pleasant toothiness, squishy feel, and wonderfully even hand. It is also sturdy and affordable and comes in a big, cushy ball so you can cast on ASAP… Mittens for everyone!

Designed by Purl Soho designer, Laura Ferguson.

Share your progress + connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoArchedGussetMittens, and #PurlSohoFlaxDown. We can’t wait to see what you make!

Materials

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  • 1 skein of Purl Soho’s Flax Down, 43% baby alpaca, 20% extra fine merino and 15% linen. Each skein is 219 yards; approximately 85 (180) yards required. For the size Small (Medium) samples, we used the colors Yellow Zest (Artemisia Green). (NOTE: We no longer offer Flax Down, but choose from one of our other light worsted/dk weight yarns.)
  • A set of US 4 (3.5 mm) double pointed needles
  • Stitch markers, including one of a different color or type
  • A stitch holder or scrap yarn

Gauge

22 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

Sizes

Small (Medium, Large) to fit most Toddlers + Small Kids (Adult Smalls, Adult Larges)

  • Finished circumference at palm: 5 ¾ (7 ¼, 8 ¾) inches
  • Finished length from cuff to top of mitten: 8 (10, 12) inches, with instructions to modify

Samples: Size Small and Medium are pictured here.

Pattern

Knit Cuff

Cast on 31 (39, 47) stitches, distributing them onto three double pointed needles. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.

Place different color marker and join for working in the round, being careful to not twist the stitches.

Work in stockinette stitch, knitting each round, until piece measures 2 (2 ½, 3) inches from cast on edge.

Shape Thumb Gusset

Right Mitten Only

Set-up Round: K15 (17, 19), place marker (pm), knit to end of round.

Round 1: Knit to marker, slip marker, make 1 left (m1L), knit to end of round. [1 stitch increased]

Repeat Round 1 fourteen (16, 18) more times. [46 (56, 66) stitches]

Next Round: K14 (16, 18), place previous 13 (15, 17) stitches on a stitch holder or scrap yarn, k1, remove marker, knit to end of round. [33 (41, 49) stitches]

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Next Round: Ssk (joining the first stitch of the Gusset to the last stitch of the Gusset), knit to end of round. [32 (40, 48) stitches]

Left Mitten Only

UPDATE December 6, 2022: We’ve changed the wording of the Set-Up Round to be a bit clearer, right below. Don’t worry, the outcome is still the same!

Set-Up Round: K17 (23, 29), pm, knit to end of round.

Round 1: Knit to marker, make 1 right (m1R), slip marker, knit to end of round. [1 stitch increased]

Repeat Round 1 fourteen (16, 18) more times. [46 (56, 66) stitches]

Next Round: Slip previous 13 (15, 17) stitches onto stitch holder or scrap yarn, knit to marker, slip marker, slip next stitch purlwise onto right needle, remove end-of-round marker, replace slipped stitch back onto left needle, replace remaining marker with end-of-round marker.

Arched Gusset Mittens | Purl Soho

Next Round: K2tog (joining the first stitch of the Gusset to the first stitch after the Gusset), knit to end of round. [32 (40, 48) stitches]

Continue Working Palm

Work in stockinette stitch, knitting each round, until piece measures 3 (3 ¾, 4 ½ ) inches from the end of the Thumb Gusset, or until 7/8 (1 1/8, 1 3/8) inches from desired finished length.

Shape Top of Mitten

Set-up Round: K12 (15, 18), place marker, k4 (5, 6), place marker, k5 (6, 7), place marker, knit to end of round.

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PICTURED: Left Mitten, palm side facing up (left), Right Mitten, palm side facing up (right)

NOTE: Below, I refer to the “1st”, “2nd” and “3rd” stitch marker. These do not include the end-of-round marker.

Round 1: Knit to 2 stitches before the 1st marker, k2tog, slip marker, knit to 3rd marker, slip marker, ssk, knit to end of round. [2 stitches decreased]

Round 2: K1, k2tog, knit to 2 stitches before the next (1st) marker, k2tog, slip marker, knit to 2 stitches before next (2nd) marker, ssk, slip marker, k1, k2tog, knit to next (3rd) marker, slip marker, ssk, knit to 2 stitches before the end of round, ssk. [6 stitches decreased]

Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 two (3, 4) more times. [8 stitches]

Cut yarn and thread it through the remaining stitches.

Finish Thumb

Slip the 13 (15, 17) stitches that are on hold onto three double pointed needles.

Arched Gusset Mittens | Purl Soho

Hold the Mitten so that the thumb is on the left. Join yarn to the front needle.

Knit all 13 (15, 17) stitches, and before joining in the round, pick up 1 stitch from the base of the thumb. [14 (16, 18) stitches]

Place marker and join for working in the round.

Work in stockinette stitch until piece measures 1 3/4 (2, 2 1/4) inches from the base of the thumb or until just shy of desired finished length.

Next Round: *K2tog, repeat from * to end of round. [7 (8, 9) stitches]

Cut yarn and thread it through the remaining stitches.

Finish the Mitten

Weave in the ends and block as desired.

Arched Gusset Mittens | Purl Soho