Lion Mittens for Kids

Cuff: With MC and smaller needles, cast on 23 (25, 27, 29) sts.

Row 1 (WS): P1; (k1, p1) across.

Row 2: K1; (p1, k1) across.

Rep Ribbing Rows 1-2 to approx 1-1/2 (2, 2-1/2, 2-1/2) inches from beg, ending with a WS row. Eyelets: K1; (yo, k2tog) across. Change to larger needles. P 1 row. Work 0 (2, 4, 4) St st rows.

Row 1 (RS): K11 (12, 13, 14), pm, M1, k1, M1, pm, k to end of row.

Row 2: P across.

Row 3: K to marker, sl marker, M1, k to marker, M1, k to end of row.

Rep rows 2-3 until there are 9 (9, 11, 11) sts bet markers. P 1 row. Next Row: K across, removing markers and placing thumb sts onto a spare strand of yarn. Cont St st on the 22 (24, 26, 28) sts until piece measures approx 4 (5, 6, 6-1/2) inches from beg, ending with a WS row and placing a marker after the 11th (12th, 13th, 14th) st.

Row 1 (RS): Ssk, k to 2 sts before marker, k2tog, sl marker, ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog.

Row 2: P across.

Rep last 2 rows until 14 (16, 18, 20) sts rem. (K2tog) across--7 (8, 9, 10) sts. Leaving a long tail, cut yarn.

Thread tail into yarn needle. Beg with the last st on needle, take yb through rem sts, twice. Pull up to tightly close opening. Leave tail for joining sides.

With the RS facing, return sts to larger needle. Join MC and k9 (9, 11, 11).

Next Row: P3 (3, 4, 4), p2tog, p4 (4, 5, 5). Work 2 (2, 4, 4) more St st rows on the 8 (8, 10, 10) sts. (K2tog) across. Rep Closure as for Top Shaping. Join thumb seam. Darn opening closed. Weave in loose ends on WS.

Leaving an 8-inch tail at beg and end, with smaller needles and MC, cast on 5 sts. P 1 row. Ssk, k1, k2tog. P3. Sl 1 st purlwise and with yarn on WS, k2tog, pass slipped st over the k2tog. Fasten off.