I have continued working on the mittens I started on Tuesday. Although the mittens began like socks only smaller, sizing isn't as critical because you don't have to worry about getting a blister from a wrinkle inside a boot. Also I think looser mittens are warmer as they provide more air space.
Once the cuffs on each set of needles are four inches (44 rounds), I switched to all knitting, stockinette stitch, and No. 2 needles. I made 6 rounds, then start increasing for the thumb gusset.
Many patterns call for increasing every other round and starting later, but I like a more gradual increase, so I will do an increase row, then knit three rounds plain, then increase again for a total of 5 increase rows (will then have 70 stitches around). I insert thread markers between the 3rd and 4th and 10th and 11th stitches on what will now become the left mitten, and markers between the 10th and 11th and 17th and 18th stitches on what will become the right mitten. This will give me a base of 7 stitches, which is good for this number of stitches around. I will increase by knitting into the front and the back loop of the first and last stitches inside the markers.
This is a good time to talk about symmetry. Here my background in chemistry will show, especially molecular structure and vibrational spectra interpretation. Although feet come in left and right versions (mirror images, or at least close to it), people, especially those who wear shoes or boots, unlike chimps don't have an opposible big toe! I have seen patterns for toed socks, and hear that Japanese tabi with the big toe separate are reputed to have health benefits, but so far I haven't tried to make them. Being able to grasp objects is essential for active wear, hence these mittens will opposites of a pair. The exception is for babies where you can skip the thumb and making mittens for toddlers or small children where it is often better to center the thumb gusset on the edge.
Of course, the mittens won't be exact mirror images, that would require knitting the left mitten in the opposite direction, counterclockwise to the axis of the wrist instead of clockwise. Taking it to the next level, the yarn would need to be spun with an S-twist and plied with a Z-twist, but even that won't do. The keratin (protein) is an alpha helix, so it also is one of two mirror images.
Knitting in the round is really making a helix! That is something you probably won't think of until you start working with color or texture patterns in the round and need to disguise the jog.
Setting the thumbs off center is what makes the mirrored symmetry necessary. It is worth the effort as they fit better. Although the "handedness" won't be set until the decrease to close the top starts, I like to start visualizing the left and right hands now.
Sometime tonight or tomorrow I will probably finish the increase rounds.