Ribbonberry Too - Suggestions for Crochet Mitts and Leg Warmers

Ribbonberry, my latest free pattern, is a versatile stitch based on Back Loop Slip Stitch. A simple 4-row repeat yields this ripply, textured fabric:

(If you missed the last post, click here for the pattern and a phototutorial of the Ribbonberry stitch used in a cowl.)

Each Ribbonberry row starts and ends with Back Loop Slip Stitch only (the pattern is formed by adding bobbly berries between the edge stitches on every other row). This gives a stretchy, ribbed edge which you can make as wide or narrow as you like by increasing or decreasing the number of back loop slip stitches. As promised in the previous post, here are some suggested stitch ratios for making Ribbonberry mitts or leg warmers.

Ribbonberry Leg Warmer

For a Ribbonberry project with equal ribbing at each end, your starting chain should be:
(Number of ribbing stitches x 2) + (multiple of 4 for berry/valley motifs) + 1 for turning.

My work-in-progress leg warmers have a 5-stitch ribbing at either side, with a 10 berry/valley motif repeat between them. So for my leg warmers, I chained 51 stitches: (5 ribbing + 5 ribbing) + (4 x 10 motifs) + 1 for turning.

The leg warmer in the photo above, worked in a medium-weight worsted yarn, is about 12" long. To make your leg warmers longer or shorter, simply increase or decrease the number of motifs between the ribbed edge stitches. You can also make the ribbed edge wider or narrower by increasing or decreasing the number of ribbing stitches. (3 is the suggested minimum.)

Note: Ribbonberry makes a stable, not "slouchy", fabric when worked up in medium weight yarn; for slouchier leg warmers I suggest using a larger hook, or a finer yarn (or a different stitch pattern). :)

Remember, you can make the ribbing any width you like - and it doesn't have to be the same size on both edges. To make the leg warmers, simply decide on the amount of ribbing and motifs you want, chain an appropriate amount, and repeat Pattern Rows 1-4 (click here for the pattern) until the leg warmer fits as desired, ending with Row 3. Seam ends together as instructed in the Ribbonberry post.

Here's another use for the Ribbonberry stitch pattern, this time featuring unequal amounts of ribbing:

Ribbonberry Mitt

For this mitt, worked in a medium-weight worsted yarn, I used a 10-stitch ribbing on one edge (to form the snug wrist cuff) and a 4-stitch ribbing on the other edge. Between is a 3 berry/valley motif repeat. My starting chain for this project was 27 chains (10 ribbing + 4 ribbing) + (4 x 3 motifs) + 1 for turning.

To make the mitts, chain your desired amount and work Rows 1-4 of pattern stitch (click here for pattern) until mitt will fit comfortably around your hand when slightly stretched; end with a Row 3. (Remember you can make that ribbing as wide or narrow as you like - for a longer cuff, make a longer starting chain; for more of the wavy pattern, add more multiples of 4 between the ribbing chains.)

To finish the mitt, begin seaming edges together as described in the Ribbonberry Pattern post. When you reach the spot where you'd like the thumb hole to be, stitch along one edge only until opening is large enough for your thumb, then bring edges together again and finish seaming. My final Row 3 ended at the top of the mitt (closest to the fingers), so, working downwards, I seamed 5 stitches down from the top edge. Then I slip stitched down one edge only for 5 stitches to make the thumb hole, then brought both edges together again and finished seaming the glove.

Making the Thumb Hole

You can make the thumb opening any size you like, and locate it anywhere on the seam. You can also slip stitch down either edge when making the opening; I chose to slip stitch down the starting chain edge so as to reinforce it a bit.

If you're feeling ambitious, you could even pick up stitches around the thumb hole and stitch a little thumb. :)

I've had a lot of fun with the Ribbonberry stitch, and I hope you will too! If you have any questions, please ask away using the comment box below, or contact me in Ravelry (I'm MrsMicawber there).

Thanks for viewing, and happy crocheting!

~

P.S. Check back tomorrow to hear about another free pattern of mine, available on a different website.

:)

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