Buttons Mitts

Buttons Mitts by K.M. Bedigan

Project Overview

Buttons Mitts are advanced-level fingerless mittens designed by independent designer K.M. Bedigan. These knitted mittens celebrate decorative buttons as their central design feature, transforming a functional accessory into a statement piece. The fingerless construction makes them practical for activities requiring dexterity while maintaining warmth around the hands and wrists.

What Is Being Made

This downloadable knitting pattern produces a pair of fingerless mittens with a button-inspired motif. Available in three sizes—Small, Medium, and Large—these mittens are designed to fit hand circumferences of 6, 7, and 8 inches respectively, with a consistent length of 8.5 inches. The fingerless style allows the fingers to remain free while the palm, back of hand, and wrist area are covered, making these mittens ideal for activities like typing, texting, or detailed handiwork.

Knitting Techniques Used

This advanced knitting project employs several sophisticated techniques. The pattern utilizes stitch markers to track pattern repeats and construction points. Waste yarn or a stitch holder is used during construction, indicating techniques such as provisional casting on or holding stitches for later grafting or binding off. The design incorporates a repeating main pattern that can be customized by adding or omitting repeats to adjust the final size, demonstrating advanced pattern modification skills. Colorwork techniques are employed using two contrasting yarn colors to highlight the button-inspired design elements.

Stitches and Stitch Work

While specific stitch abbreviations are not detailed in the pattern excerpt provided, the construction requires working with a gauge of 32 stitches over 4 inches and 40 rows over 4 inches on 2.75 mm needles. This tight gauge indicates the use of detailed stitch work suitable for 4 ply yarn weight. The pattern features a repeating main motif that creates the button-inspired visual centerpiece of the mittens. The fingerless construction requires careful attention to shaping at the fingers and wrist areas.

Materials Required

• Yarn: 250–320 yards of fingering weight / 4 ply yarn in two colors (approximately 125–160 yards of each color). The sample shown uses Jamieson & Smith 2 Ply Jumperweight in shade 122 Warm Brown (main color) and shade 28 Gold (contrasting color)
• Needles: 2.75 mm / US 2 needles for working at the required tight gauge
• Notions: Two stitch markers, waste yarn or a stitch holder, and a tapestry needle for finishing
• Optional: Two coordinating buttons for embellishment (though the button motif is created through knitting rather than applied buttons)

Yarn Weight and Fiber Considerations

This pattern is designed for fingering weight or 4 ply yarn, which produces a fine, detailed fabric suitable for the intricate button-inspired pattern. The sample uses Jamieson & Smith yarn, a premium Scottish wool known for its quality and color range. The 4 ply weight allows for crisp stitch definition necessary to showcase the decorative button motif clearly. The yardage requirements of 250–320 yards total make this an efficient project that works well for stash-busting or trying new yarn colors.

Sizing and Customization

The pattern offers flexibility in sizing. Beyond the three standard sizes, knitters can modify the mittens by adding or omitting repeats of the main pattern to create custom sizes. This advanced technique requires calculating additional yarn needs when making significant modifications. The pattern recommends sizing up if hand measurements fall between sizes to ensure comfortable fit and adequate length for the wrist area.

Difficulty Level

Rated as advanced, Buttons Mitts require solid foundational knitting skills including colorwork, stitch marker management, and the ability to follow complex pattern repeats. The use of provisional stitches and stitch holders indicates familiarity with intermediate to advanced construction techniques. Knitters should be comfortable reading detailed pattern instructions and adjusting patterns for custom sizing.