brambles: something quick and easy for a change

once in a while, i like to take on a project i can actually complete in under 5 years, just for that feeling of accomplishment. so, last week i made this brambles hat (pattern also available from knitty) and this week i cast on fingerless mitts to go with.

the hat i got done in a day - mitts are taking a bit longer since i am making them up as i go along! had one misfire, but take two is looking quite nice.
brambles mitts
1 ball cascade 220 heathers, 2.75mm dpns, 3.5mm dpns (most people would use larger needles - these are what i used to get gauge for the hat)
using smaller needles, cast on 36 stitches using long-tail or other stretchy cast on.
row 1: p1, k2, p1, k1, p1, k2, p1, k3, p1, k3, p1, k2, p1, k2, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1
repeat for 30 rows.
switch to larger needles, arrrange stitches so you have 13 on needle 1, 12 on needle 2, and 11 on needle 3, and begin hand shaping.
row 1: p1, k2, p1, k1, p1, k2, p1, k3, p1, k3, p1, k2, p1, k2, p1, k1, p1 (this is the back of the hand, and will become the brambles chart), k11 (the palm of the hand)
row 2: p1, k2, p1, k1, p1, k2, p1, k3, p1, k3, p1, k2, p1, k2, p1, k1, p1, m1, k11, m1
row 3: p1, k2, p1, k1, p1, k2, p1, k3, p1, k3, p1, k2, p1, k2, p1, k1, p1, k13
row 4: p1, k2, p1, k1, p1, k2, p1, k3, p1, k3, p1, k2, p1, k2, p1, k1, p1, m1, k13, m1
row 5: p1, k2, p1, k1, p1, k2, p1, k3, p1, k3, p1, k2, p1, k2, p1, k1, p1, k15
row 6: p1, k2, p1, k1, p1, k2, p1, k3, p1, k3, p1, k2, p1, k2, p1, k1, p1, m1, k15, m1
row 7: work brambles chart row 11 across back of hand, working the cable at each side, k17
row 8: work brambles chart row 12 across back of hand, working the cable at each side, m1, k17, m1
row 9: work brambles chart row 13 across back of hand, working the cable at each side, k19
row 10: work brambles chart row 14 across back of hand, working the cable at each side, k19
row 11: work brambles chart row 15 across back of hand, working the cable at each side, k19
row 12: work brambles chart row 16 across back of hand, working the cable at each side, k19
row 13: work brambles chart row 17 across back of hand, working the cable at each side, k19
row 14: work brambles chart row 18 across back of hand, working the cable at each side, k19
row 15: work brambles chart row 19 across back of hand, working the cable at each side, k19
start thumb shaping:
row 16: work brambles chart row 20 across back of hand, working the cable at each side, (right hand: k1, m1, k4, m1, k14) (left hand: k14, m1, k4, m1, k1)
row 17: work brambles chart row 21 across back of hand, working the cable at each side, k21
row 18: work brambles chart row 22 across back of hand, working the cable at each side, k21
row 19: work brambles chart row 23 across back of hand, working the cable at each side, k21
row 20: work brambles chart row 24 across back of hand, working the cable at each side, (right hand: k1, m1, k6, m1, k14) (left hand: k14, m1, k6, m1, k1)
row 21: work brambles chart row 13 across back of hand, working the cable at each side, k23
row 22: work brambles chart row 14 across back of hand, working the cable at each side, k23
row 23: work brambles chart row 15 across back of hand, working the cable at each side, k23
row 24: work brambles chart row 16 across back of hand, working the cable at each side, (right hand: k1, m1, k8, m1, k14) (left hand: k14, m1, k8, m1, k1)
row 25: work brambles chart row 17 across back of hand, working the cable at each side, k25
row 26: work brambles chart row 18 across back of hand, working the cable at each side, (right hand: k1, move 10 sts to holder, co 4, k14) (left hand: k14, move 10 sts to holder, co 4, k1)
row 27: work brambles chart row 19 across back of hand, working the cable at each side, k19
row 28: work brambles chart row 16 across back of hand, working the cable at each side, k19
row 29: work brambles chart row 17 across back of hand, working the cable at each side, k19
row 30: work brambles chart row 18 across back of hand, working the cable at each side, k19
row 31: work brambles chart row 19 across back of hand, working the cable at each side, k19
switch to smaller needles, and finish in 8 rows of ribbing as follows:
p1, k1, p1, k2, p1, k3, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k3, p1, k1, p1, k2, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1
bind off using stretchy stitch of your choice, break yarn.
for thumb:
with larger needles, pick up 10 sts from holder, 4 sts along co edge, and 1 st at each end of co edge: 16 sts.
work 4 rows stockinette.
work 8 rows k1, p1 ribbing.
bind off using stretchy stitch of your choice, break yarn.
run in all ends.