These close-fitting vintage mittens are worked almost entirely in star stitch. The thumb is created by widening a section of the mitten before stitches are set aside, then the hand and thumb are shaped separately.
Materials
- 3 ounces two-ply zephyr
- Bone crochet hook suitable for the yarn
Vintage Instructions
Chain 71 stitches and join. Make 34 stars on this chain and work 8 rows of stars.
At the beginning of the 9th row, widen by working 2 stars over 1; widen the next star also. Continue widening every other row. This forms the thumb. There should be 12 stars in the thumb section after the fifth widening row, including the 10 stars created by the widenings.
Work one more row after the five widening rows. Drop off the 12 stars for the thumb, chain 8 stitches, and join to the 13th star. Pick up the chain stitches on the next row. There should be 34 stars around the mitten; if there are too many, narrow at the thumb by taking 2 stars together.
Work 14 rows. Then narrow by taking 2 stars together with 2 stars between each decrease around the mitten. Work 2 rows. Next work 1 star, narrow 1, around. Work 1 row, then narrow 2 stars into 1 until only 8 stars remain. Draw the wool through the last stitch and fasten off.
Thumb
Pick up the stitches around the thumb and narrow to 14 stars. Work 9 rows, then narrow 2 stars into 1 until only 6 stars remain. Finish as for the hand.
Finishing
Work a shell scallop around the wrist.
Crochet Board Editorial Note
This pattern depends on the book’s star-stitch method. Because vintage star stitch can differ from modern versions, make a short practice strip before beginning the mitten and keep the stars even in height.
Vintage Source
Publication: Priscilla Wool Crochet Book
Editor: edited by Lola Burks Hettich
Publisher: The Priscilla Publishing Company, Boston
Year: 1912
Original printed page: 9 (scan page 12)
Rights: Public-domain historical work; Library of Congress states that books in this collection are public domain and free to use and reuse.