Approximately 300-350 yds of sock-weight wool. Merino is nice.
5 US#2/2.75mm double pointed needles
5 US#3/3.25mm dpns
yarn needle

Editor's note: Janis spun the yarn for this project herself. She suggests 6-ply Regia as an alternate. It and other options can be obtained at Patternworks.

With US #2 needles, CO 16 stitches on each of three needles [48 stitches total], and work 30 rounds of k2p2 rib. If you like very a long cuff, work 50 rounds or more!

Work *k3, INC 1.* [to INC, use K1P1 in the same stitch.] Repeat to end.
You should have 20 st on each of the 3 needles.
Divide these 60 sts equally onto four needles, so that there are 15 sts on each.

Note: The first two needles work the palm side, the last two are the back of the hand.

K 4 rounds even.

THUMB GUSSET INCREASE:
Next row: k to the second-to-last st on the second needle.
P second-to-last stitch.
Do a twisted make-one (pick up the yarn between two stitches, twist it a half turn, place on left needle, then knit it), k to end of row.
[On all following rows until gusset is complete, purl the purled stitch to mark the point for the gusset increases.]
Next row: work even.
Repeat these two rows - increasing one stitch after the purled stitch using a twisted make-one every other round - until you've added 12 stitches.
Finish with a k-even round.

Place these added stitches along with the purled stitch and the stitch at the end of the needle [14 stitches in all from the second needle] onto a holder, and co 11 stitches.
K the last cast-on stitch together with the first stitch on the third needle. [This prevents a gap from forming between the second and third needles.]
K 1 row even.

THUMB GUSSET DECREASE:
You've effectively increased a 14-stitch wide thumb gusset, and will be making a decreased gusset above it now.
Row 1: K to 14th st on the second needle [the 14th st in this and other odd rows is the first sl st.] ssk, k6, k2tog, k to end of round. [You've decreased those added 10 stitches to 8.]
Row 2: K even.
Row 3: K to 14th st on the second needle, ssk, k4, k2tog, k to end of round.
Row 4: K even.
Row 5: K to the 14th st on the second needle, ssk, k2, k2tog, k to end of round.
Row 6: K even.
Row 7: K to 14th stitch, ssk, k2tog, k to end of round.
Row 8: K even. You're now back to 15 stitches on each needle!
K 6 rounds even.

Put the palm stitches on one stitch holder and the back-of-hand stitches on another. Pick up 7 stitches from the palm and 8 from the back of the hand. CO 1 st on the ring-finger side in the gap [16 stitches in all]. K for 10 rounds, then BO loosely.

Important: Before starting the other fingers, knit around the remaining palm and back of hand stitches for 4 rounds, picking up 2 more stitches from the corner of the pinky finger. This brings the crotches of the remaining 3 fingers up a bit from where the pinky is, and makes the glove fit better.

End the fourth round over the back of the hand nearest the pinky.
Put the palm stitches on one stitch holder, and the back-of-hand stitches on another.

Slip the 14 thumb gusset stitches onto two needles, putting 6 stitches on the needle closest to the palm, and 8 on the other.
Pick up 12 stitches from the cast-on edge of the thumbhole, twisting them when needed to keep holes from forming.
Move 2 stitches from the needle with the 12 picked-up stitches to the needle that has only 6 stitches on it. [You will have 10 stitches on the needle in the crotch of the thumb, and 8 on the other two.]
K the two needles with 8 stitches on them, SSK, k6, k2tog on the needle in the thumb crotch. [You've turned the 10 picked-up stitches into 8.]
K the next round even.
K the two needles with 8 stitches on them, SSK, k4, k2tog on the needle in the thumb crotch. [You've turned the 10 picked-up stitches into 6.]
K evenly until the thumb is the length of the base of your fingernail (16-18 rds).

THUMB DECREASE:
You will decrease until you have 5 or 6 stitches left.
*k3, k2tog* around. k2 "leftover" sts.
K one round even.
*k2, k2tog* around. K 1 round even.
*k1, k2tog* around.
K 1 round even.
*k2tog* around.
K 1 round even.
Cut yarn leaving a 6 inch tail. Run the yarn through remaining 5 or 6 sts. Tug yarn and thread yarn through to wrong side. Weave end in.

Shape the mitten shell with a star decrease, an all-around set of eight decreases that narrows the top of the mitten evenly. [You can also use a flat sock-toe decrease if you prefer.]

CO 30 stitches on a #3 dpn.
Work back and forth on it for 9 rows in k2p2 ribbing, then split onto two needles, 15 stitches on each one.
Pick up 30 stitches across the knuckles of the glove, and put them on two needles, 15 on each one. [60 sts]
K even around all four needles for 17 rounds.
Then, on each needle -- k to the last two stitches, k2tog.
K one round even. [56 sts]

On each needle:
k5, k2tog. [52 sts]
K 5 rounds even.
K4, k2tog on each needle.
K 4 rounds even.
K3, k2tog on each needle.
K 3 rounds even.
K2, k2tog on each needle.
K 2 rounds even.
K1, k2tog on each needle.
K 1 round even.
K2tog on each needle.
K 2 inches of I-cord on these 4 stitches.
Draw the end of the yarn through all four stitches and tug the little I-cord closed, then stitch the end of the I-cord down at the tip of the mitten shell to make a loop.

Stitch the edges of the ribbing flap down along the sides of the hand. When you fold the mitten shell over, fold the ribbing back over the shell so it lies flat. See where the loop on the top of the shell hits the cuff? Sew a button to the cuff where the loop from the shell hits it - then you can fasten down the shell so it doesn't flap around.

Make a second mitten for the right hand, reversing the directions.

Voila! You've got yourself a pair of Broad Street Mittens!

Janis Cortese knits way too much, and if she lives to be as old as she must in order to master everything she's interested in, she'll be playing pinochle with Methusela someday. Quilting and tatting vie for her attention, but knitting seems to have won out for sheer portability and low-tech appeal.

Janis lives in southern California with the Cutest Cat In The Universe.

Pattern & images © Janis Cortese. Contact Janis.