Back to Basics: Mittens – Constructed from the bottom up, this mitten pattern starts at the cuff edge. You’ll find directions for a western gusset, created while working the hand. This means your left and right mittens are interchangeable! Once you’ve completed the hand, you’ll construct an anatomical mitten top.
This mitten pattern has many sizes – so you’ll be able to find the perfect fit with the intended positive ease! Worked in the round, this pattern contains written directions.
Directions are for magic loop, yet you can use your preferred method for working small circumferences. Double-pointed needles or mini-circulars are fine! Ensure you denote the top and palm with an extra marker. This will ensure you don’t miss the shaping for the fingertips and thumb gusset.
TIPS & TRICKS
For helpful resources on mitten knitting, please visit: https://rhyflowerknits.com/mittens/
PATTERN SUPPORT
Please see our Pattern Support page regarding pattern support for our freebie patterns; https://rhyflowerknits.com/pattern-support/
SKILL LEVEL
Beginner
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.
SUGGESTED NEEDLES
Cuff: US0 (2 mm) 40” (100 cm) circular needles, or one needle size smaller than needles used for gauge
Hand: US1 (2.25 mm) 40” (100 cm) circular needles, or the size required to get gauge
NOTIONS
Tapestry needle, waste yarn or stitch holder, stitch markers (3)
YARN REQUIREMENTS
MC: 86 [113, 136, 159, 189, 215, 250, 294] yds / 79 [103, 124, 145, 173, 197, 229, 269] m fingering weight yarn
CC: 34 [46, 53, 57, 67, 71, 80, 84] yds / 31 [42, 48, 52, 61, 65, 73, 77] m fingering weight yarn
SUGGESTED YARN
Turtlepurl Yarns – Striped Turtle Toes
75% Superwash Merino 25% Nylon
450 yds (411 m) / 3.5 oz (100 g)
Colour: THE Doctor
https://turtlepurl.com/
GAUGE
32 stitches by 40 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
CC: Contrast colour.
Dec: Decrease.
Inc: Increase.
K: Knit.
K2tog: Insert the right needle into 2 stitches simultaneously and knit the 2 stitches together. (1 st dec.)
MC: Main colour.
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.)
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 (Sts): Stitch(es).
DIRECTIONS
Using the Old Norwegian Cast-on, CC, and your smaller needles, cast on 56 [60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84] stitches. Divide the stitches evenly between the two needles to work in magic loop. Place a stitch marker to denote the beginning of the round, then join to work in the round, ensuring not to twist. The first half of your stitches will be the palm of your mitten and the second half for the top of the mitten.
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
Join MC and switch to larger needles.
Left-Hand Setup: K26 [28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40], 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 4 [5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10] times. You will now have 11 [13, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23] 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 56 [60, 64, 68, 72, 76, 80, 84] stitches.
Continue working in stockinette until the piece measures 4.25 [5.25, 5.75, 6.25, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.75]” / 11 [13.5, 14.5, 16, 18, 19, 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 8 [9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15] times. You now have 20 stitches (10 stitches on each needle). Cut yarn, leaving an 8” / 21 cm tail, and Kitchener Stitch 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. 14 [16, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26] 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. 7 [8, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13] 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
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!