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We had our first snow this week here in Montana. I had to pull out our mitten bin and assess if we had enough because any mom will tell you mittens are like socks, the dryer eats them. We had enough this year for the first time in years BUT my 5 year old requested a new pair anyways. So I pulled out my old faithful pattern and got to work. He was very excited that day to have a new pair just for him.
This pattern is so versatile. You can color block them, you can stripe your mittens or just make them plain! I use a superwash wool yarn so they are washable because sometimes they do get a little muddy. The wool is a must in my opinion because it will stay dry to the touch longer than acrylics or cottons. And I love that they are bulky so they are more warm than thinner weights. They are tightly knit too so there is no air passing through the stitches. I have made well over 100 of these mittens for my kids or as gifts and they are always a favorite.
You can purchase the yarn for the project here.
The Materials and Info
Materials: 80-160yds bulky weight (size 5) yarn, size 8 (5mm) dpn or circular needles(for magic loop method), yarn needle, stitch marker
Stitch Key
K – knit P – purl
M1 – make 1 increase pu – pick up stitches
K2tog – knit 2 together ssk – slip slip knit decrease
Gauge: appx 3.5sts x 6rows per inch GAUGE IS IMPORTANT! SWATCH FIRST!
Sizes – toddler, (child, teen/ladies, men)
Mitten Pattern
Wrist
Cast on 22(26, 30, 34)sts. Join in the round. Place beginning of round marker.
K1P1 ribbing for 12(16, 20, 20) rounds
Round 1 – [m1, k11(13, 15, 17)] repeat [to] around 1 time more. 24(28, 32, 36)sts
Round 2 – knit around (repeat 1 more time for teen/ladies, and 2 more times for men sizes)
Thumb Gusset
Round 3 – m1, k2, m1, knit around. 26(30, 34, 38)sts
Round 4 – knit around
Round 5 – m1, k4, m1, knit around. 28(32, 36, 40)sts
Continue increasing thumb in pattern until there are 6(8, 10, 12)sts thumb sts.
After the last increase round place thumb sts on a stitch holder or spare yarn and remover marker. 22(26, 30, 34)sts
Hand
Cast on 1, pm, cast on 1, k11(13, 15, 17),pm, k12(14, 16, 18). 24(28, 32, 36)sts
Work in stockinette (knit every round) for 12(16, 20, 24) rounds
Decrease
Round 1 – [k1, ssk, k to 3sts before marker, k2tog, k1] repeat [to] once more. 20(24, 28, 32)sts
Round 2 – knit around
Repeat round 1 and 2 until you have 12(12, 12, 16)sts left ending after a round 1.
Kitchener stitch the remaining sts.
Thumb
Pick up 4sts along the cast on edge, place the sts on the stitch holder on your needles. 10(12, 14, 16)sts
Work in stockinette for 6(8, 10, 12) rounds.
Next Round – k2tog around 5(6, 7, 8)sts
Do not bind off. Cut yarn leaving 8-10ins to weave ends. Thread the yarn through your remaining sts and cinch closed.
Weave in all ends, make another mitten for your other hand, and enjoy your toasty warm hands.
If you loved these mittens, be sure to check out Angie Mittens here.