Civil War Knitting Pattern- Muffatees in the Round

Recently, in preparations for a cold forecast at Perryville, KY's 150th Battle Anniversary event, I picked up my years old knitting needles, and came to the realization that as frustrated and ridiculously irritated I got 3 or 4 years ago when I started learning to knit, it really is pretty easy.  It just hadn't 'clicked' yet.

Since picking it back up, I now have a modest needle assortment of single points, longs, double point sets, and even two circular needles... and enough wool yarn to choke a horse.  Not to mention, miles upon miles of projects to work on.  I have even gotten to a point where, if there's no pattern for what I want to make, I wing it, and make my own, based off of period styles and techniques.

The first pattern I would like to share, is one of my own interpretation.  I love to knit in the round with double point needles, it's bordering on the 'unhealthy addiction' level.  It's a great way to get a nice stockinette stitch going without having to Purl.  I came across Colleen's pattern for Muffatees, a form of fingerless mitts, on Raggedsoldier.com  (These are worked flat and sewn, which is perfectly appropriate, but requires purling- Muffatees Pattern from Ragged Soldier.com)  I find working in the round a little more user friendly for myself.  For the thumb opening, however, I did wind up using some purl stitch for a few rows, and if you choose a ribbed cuff, you will need to know how to purl as well.

You start with your basic cast on, I used sport weight yarn and size 5 DPNs, casting on 48 stitches (12 per DPN with a 5th DPN to work the round- you can also use a circular needle, although if you are knitting this at an event in character, you will want to stick with the DPN's)

I chose to work 12 rows of 4x4 ribbing, though it would have been better with 1x1 or 2x2 instead, for a cuff.  (You can also make a garter stitch cuff, as that seems to have been pretty common as well, just alternate knit and purl rows)  Then I continued to work in the round with stockinette stitch until I reached the length I wanted from the cuff to the bottom of where my thumb opening was to start.   I made them long enough to cover my wrists and go slightly longer up my forearm and fit over the cuff of my dress sleeves. 

For the thumb opening, once I reached the end/beginning of the round, instead of joining the round, I reversed, slipped the first stitch, and purl stitched.  Once I reached the end/beginning again, I slipped the first stitch, and knit stitched back.  I continued in this pattern for 10 rows (you may need to vary this number depending on how large of thumb opening you need)  This left a nice finished opening.  Once the opening was large enough, I rejoined on the next knit row, and continued back in the round for 8 rows, and cast off.   The 8 row length comes to the middle of my knuckles.  You can make them longer if you wish, just keep knitting!

My version of 19th C. Muffatees

A couple of notes and changes I would make when knitting more of these...

Definitely do NOT do 4x4 ribbing, it's too wide.  1x1, 2x2 OR garter stitch cuffs would work MUCH better.

Next pair will be in Brown Sheep Co. sport weight, not the stuff I used, it was very loosely homespun and came apart in a few places.  While it is very warm, it was a bit of a pain.

The Long Tail cast on would be much more appropriate, I think!

If you have additional notes, questions or comments, please feel free to leave a note!