MITTENS - A Tutorial & Pattern

MITTENS - A Tutorial & Pattern by Terry Morris

What Is Being Made

This downloadable knitting pattern and tutorial teaches you how to create a pair of mittens using fingering weight yarn. The pattern includes instructions for both full mittens and fingerless mitts (also called mitts), allowing crafters to choose their preferred style. The design features ergonomic construction with anatomically-positioned thumb gussets that account for the natural placement of the thumb on the hand, resulting in right and left hand mittens that fit comfortably without rotating.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level project employs several essential knitting techniques commonly found in sock and mitten construction. The pattern begins with a loose cast on and incorporates ribbing worked in the round to create the cuff. Crafters will progress from the ribbed cuff to hand patterning sections, then work decreases to shape the top of the hand. A key technique featured in this pattern is the thumb gusset, which is an increase-based shaping method that creates room for the thumb while maintaining proper fit. The gusset is positioned asymmetrically on right and left mittens to account for the natural anatomy of the hand, with the thumb slightly tucked into the palm rather than protruding directly from the side. Additional decreasing techniques are worked up the sides of the hand to shape the mitten top.

For those preferring fingerless mitts, the pattern can be easily modified by eliminating the hand and thumb tops and substituting a ribbed edge instead.

Stitches Used

• Ribbing (for cuffs and optional fingerless edges)
• Stockinette stitch or hand patterning (for the main hand sections)
• Increases (for creating the thumb gusset)
• Decreases (for shaping the top of the hand and finger sections)

Materials

This pattern is designed for fingering weight yarn, which is a fine yarn suitable for detailed work and comfortable-fitting garments. You will need appropriate needles for fingering weight yarn, typically in smaller gauges to accommodate the fine yarn weight. The pattern is suitable for knitting in the round, so circular needles or double-pointed needles are recommended for this construction method.