Back to Basics: Mittens (DK)

There’s something truly special about knitting mittens—they’re quick, practical, and endlessly customisable. Whether you’re looking to craft a cosy gift, add a personal touch to your winter wardrobe, or simply expand your knitting skills, mittens are a fantastic project for knitters of all levels. And when it comes to versatility, DK weight yarn is a perfect choice, offering the ideal balance of warmth, flexibility, and stitch definition.

In Back to Basics: Mittens (DK), we’re taking a deep dive into the essentials of mitten knitting, giving you the confidence to create beautiful, well-fitting mittens from start to finish. You’ll learn about mitten construction, yarn selection, and shaping techniques, all while picking up expert tips to refine your work and avoid common pitfalls.

Whether you’re picking up your needles for the first time or looking to perfect your technique, this guide will equip you with everything you need to knit a snug and stylish pair of mittens with ease. So grab your favourite DK yarn, make yourself a cup of something warm, and let’s get back to basics with mitten knitting!

Pattern Notes for Back to Basics: Mittens (DK)

The mitten pattern is both practical and versatile, starting from the cuff and working upwards. The pattern features a Western gusset, seamlessly integrated into the hand section of the mitten. Once the hand is complete, you’ll shape an anatomical top that fits the natural curve of the hand. One of the key advantages of this design is its symmetry; the mittens are identical for both hands, making them fully interchangeable.

The pattern is offered in multiple sizes, ensuring a perfect fit with the intended positive ease. It is worked in the round, with comprehensive written instructions throughout and a chart to guide you through the pattern motif. 

We’ve written this pattern for the magic loop knitting method in mind. However, you can also work on double-pointed needles or mini-circulars instead if you prefer (just use extra markers to denote the placement of the top shaping).

Create a project page for your project here on Ravelry!

I can’t wait to see your Back to Basics: Mittens (DK) come to life! Share your WIPs and FOs on social media using #rhyFlowerBlog and #BackToBasics—let’s celebrate your creativity together! 

Tips & Tricks

For helpful resources on mitten knitting, please visit: https://rhyflowerknits.com/mittens/

Pattern Support for Back to Basics: Mittens (DK)

Please see our Pattern Support page regarding pattern support for our freebie patterns; https://rhyflowerknits.com/pattern-support/

Skill Level

Beginner

Size Information

1 [2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8] — larger sizes are in bold throughout the pattern to help differentiate the multiple sizes.

Finished Measurements

7 [7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5]” / 18 [19, 20.5, 21.5, 23, 24, 25.5, 26.5] cm circumference – choose a size that will give you 1-2” / 2.5-5 cm of positive ease. The finished measurements do not factor in positive ease, these are the actual measurements for the finished item. 4.25 [5, 5.5, 6.25, 6.75, 7.5, 8, 8.75]” / 11 [12.5, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20.5, 22] cm in length, exclusive of the cuff.

Notions

Tapestry needle, waste yarn or stitch holder, stitch markers (3)

Suggested Needles

Cuff: US3 (3.25 mm) 40” / 100 cm circular needles, or one needle size smaller than needles used for gauge

Hand: US4 (3.5 mm) 40” / 100 cm circular needles, or the size required to get gauge

Yarn Requirements

MC: 84 [103, 121, 149, 170, 199, 228, 265] yd / 77 [94, 111, 136, 155, 182, 208, 242] m DK weight yarn

CC: 31 [41, 51, 54, 61, 65, 75, 77] yd / 28 [37, 47, 49, 56, 59, 69, 70] m DK weight yarn

Suggested Yarn 

Turtlepurl Yarns – DK Striped Turtle Toes
75% Superwash Merino 25% Nylon
245 yd (224 m) / 3.5 oz (100 g)
Colour: OM
https://turtlepurl.com/

Gauge

27 stitches by 36 rounds in stockinette on larger needles = 4” / 10 cm, after blocking. Gauge is crucial in obtaining the correct fit. Changes in gauge will cause a size difference for your finished project. This will also affect the yardage required to complete the project.

Abbreviations used in Back to Basics: Mittens (DK)

”: Inch(es).

BOR: Beginning of round.

CC: Contrast colour.

Dec: Decrease.

G: Gram(s).

Inc: Increase.

K: Knit.

K2tog: Insert the right needle into 2 stitches simultaneously and knit the 2 stitches together. (1 st dec)

M: Metre(s).

M1L: From the front, lift the horizontal strand between stitches with the left-hand needle. Knit through the back loop. (1 st inc)

M1R: From the back, lift the horizontal strand between stitches with the left-hand needle. Knit through the front loop. (1 st inc)

MC: Main colour.

Mm: Millimetre(s).

Oz: Ounce(s).

P: Purl.

Pm: Place marker.

Rep: Repeat.

Rm: Remove marker.

Sm: Slip marker.

Ssk: Slip 2 stitches, one at a time, knitwise. Knit the slipped stitches together through the back loops. (1 st dec)

St(s): Stitch(es).

Yd: Yard(s).

Directions for Back to Basics: Mittens (DK)

Using the Old Norwegian Cast-on and your smaller needles, cast on 48 [50, 54, 58, 60, 64, 68, 70] stitches with CC. Divide evenly between the two needles and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Place a stitch marker to denote the BOR. 

Cuff 

Continue with smaller needles.

Round 1: *K1, p1; rep from * across round.

Repeat Round 1 until the piece measures 1.75 [2.25, 2.5, 2.5, 2.75, 2.75, 3, 3]” / 4.5 [5.5, 6.5, 6.5, 7, 7, 7.5, 7.5] cm, measured from the cuff edge. Cut CC.

Hand

Switch to your larger needles and join MC.

Left-Hand Setup: K22 [23, 25, 27, 28, 30, 32, 33], pm, k1, pm, knit to end of round.

Right-Hand Setup: K1, pm, k1, pm, knit to end of round.

Round 1: Knit to marker, sm, M1R, knit to marker, M1L, sm, knit to end of round. (2 sts inc. between markers for thumb)

Rounds 2-3: Knit to marker, sm, knit to marker, sm, knit to end of round.

Repeat Rounds 1-3 another 3 [4, 4, 5, 6, 6, 7, 8] times. You will now have 9 [11, 11, 13, 15, 15, 17, 19] stitches between the markers for the thumb.

Next round: Knit to marker, rm, transfer thumb sts to waste yarn or stitch holder, rm, cast on 1 stitch using a Backwards Loop Cast-on, then knit to end of round. You’ll have returned to your original stitch count of 48 [50, 54, 58, 60, 64, 68, 70] stitches.

Continue working in stockinette until the piece measures 4 [5.25, 5.75, 6.25, 6.75, 7.25, 8, 8.75]” / 10 [13.5, 14.5, 16, 17, 18.5, 20.5, 22] cm, measured from the cuff edge. Then shape the mitten top:

Round 1: *K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts on needle, k2tog, k1; rep from * once more. (4 sts dec.)

Round 2: Knit across round.

Repeat Rounds 1-2 another 7 [8, 9, 10, 10, 11, 12, 13] times. You now have 16 [14, 14, 14, 16, 16, 16, 14] stitches (8 [7, 7, 7, 8, 8, 8, 7] stitches on each needle). Cut yarn, leaving an 8” / 21 cm tail, and graft the tip of your mitten closed.

Thumb 

Transfer stitches on hold back to your larger needles. Join either your MC or your CC.

Next Round: Pick up 3 sts along the thumb opening, knit to end of round. 12 [14, 14, 16, 18, 18, 20, 22] sts

Continue working in stockinette until the thumb measures 0.75 [1, 1.25, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2, 2]” / 2 [2.5, 3, 3, 4, 4.5, 5, 5] cm.

Next Round: *K2tog; rep from * across round. 6 [7, 7, 8, 9, 9, 10, 11] sts

Cut yarn, leaving a 6” / 15 cm tail, for closing the thumb up and weaving in. With your tapestry needle, run yarn through your remaining stitches. Pull to cinch the thumb stitches together.

Make a second mitten using the other hand’s setup directions.

Finishing your Back to Basics: Mittens (DK)

Weave in all your ends and soak your mittens in water for 20 minutes with a gentle soap or wool wash. Block your mittens with mitten blockers or lay them flat to dry. Let air dry completely. Happy Knitting!