Dr Zoidberg Claws

Gauge: 17st x 26r =10cm in stocking stitch. I used With Wool Aran, James C. Brett.

Choosing a size: Measure around your hand above the thumb. The small/ladies size will fit up to 22cm and the large/gents size will fit up to 26cm. When it comes to your Zoidberg claws, I’d say go big or go home!

Instructions are given for small with numbers for large given in square brackets [ ]. Where only one number is given, it is correct for both sizes.

Instructions:

Using your 4.5mm needles CO 31 [37]st.

Row 1: K1, (P1, K1) repeat to end.

Row 2: P1, (K1, P1) repeat to end.

Work in rib stitch until piece measures 6 [7]cm from CO edge.

Change to 5mm needles.

Row 1: K2 [1], (Kfb, k3) x7 [9], K3 [0]. {38 [46]st}

Row 2: Purl

Row 3: K18 [22], place marker , Kfb x2, place marker, K to end.

Row 4: Purl

Row 5: Knit to marker, Kfb, K to within 1 stitch of marker, Kfb, K to end.

Repeat the last 2r ows 3 [5] more times. {48 [60]st}

Work in stocking stitch until piece measures 11 [14]cm from CO edge ending with a purl row.

Thumb:

Knit to marker and slip these 18 [22]st onto a holder, inc into 1st st, knit to marker, slip remaining 18 [22]st onto holder. Turn piece, inc into 1st stitch. {14 [18]st}

Work in stocking stitch until thumb measures 6 [8]cm from held stitches, ending with a purl row.

Row 1: K1, (K2tog x 6 [8]), K1. {8 [10]st}

Row 2: Purl

Row 3: (K2tog) x 4 [5]. {4 [5]st}

Cut yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing. Thread yarn tail through remaining stitches and sew to the base of the thumb.

Hand:

With RS facing, slip the first 18 [22]st back onto 5mm needle, pick up 2 stitches at the base of the thumb, slip the remaining 18 [22]st onto needle. {38 [46]st}

Starting with a purl row, work in stocking stitch until piece measures 18 [22]cm from CO edge.

Row 1: K1, K2togtbl, K to last 3, K2tog, K1

Row 2: Purl

Repeat last 2 rows 5 [7]more times, 6 [8]dec rows total. {26 [30]st}

Row 1: K1, K2togtbl, K to last 3, K2tog, K1.

Row 2: P1, P2tog, P to last 3, p2togtbl, P1.

Repeat last 2 rows 3 [5]more times, 4 [6] dec rows total. {10st}

Bind off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Sew up the outer edge. Sew in any loose ends.

Crochet Edge:

Your starting point is next to (outside) the stitch you picked up at the base of the thumb (see Pic. 1). Using you 5mm hook, pull a loop of yarn through and chain one. Working your stitches around the horizontal bars between knit stitches, follow the pattern below.

1sc, 1hdc, 1dc, 1trc, 1dc, 1hdc, 1sc, 1sl st.

Work up the side of the mitten, work 3 st across the top and work down the mitten, finishing on the far side of the thumb (see Pic. 2). This should leave a space of 2 or 3 knit stitches between your lines of crochet.