Thumbs up mitts

Thumbs Up Mitts by Fiona Hamilton-MacLaren

What is Being Made

The Thumbs Up Mitts are a pair of fingerless mitts designed to keep hands warm while leaving fingers free for everyday tasks. This knitting project works up quickly, making it an ideal choice for crafters seeking a fast, practical accessory. The mitts are shown in Navy and are designed to fit a wide range of sizes, particularly women's medium hands, though sizing adjustments are possible through yarn weight and stitch count modifications.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

These mitts are worked in the round using either double pointed needles or circular needles, creating a seamless construction. The pattern employs a ribbed design that provides both stretch and structure, allowing the mitts to accommodate various hand sizes without requiring multiple pattern versions. The ribbed fabric is created using a knit two, purl two (k2p2) repeat, which is a fundamental technique in knitwear design that creates vertical lines of elasticity.

The pattern includes several intermediate-level skills essential to the construction: casting on stitches, working increases to shape the mitt around the hand, storing stitches on holders or spare yarn for later use, and picking up stitches to create the thumb opening. Finishing techniques include casting off and weaving in ends with a tapestry needle.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch: The primary stitch forming the fabric structure
• Purl stitch: Used in alternation with knit stitches to create the ribbed texture
• Knit two, purl two (k2p2) rib: The main stitch pattern providing elasticity and a classic mitt appearance
• Increases: Used to shape the mitt and accommodate hand width

Materials and Specifications

Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease Worsted weight yarn is used for this project, with 55 grams required to complete the pair. The pattern is shown in Navy colorway. Worsted weight yarn is a medium-weight yarn suitable for creating durable, warm accessories with good stitch definition.

Needles: 3.5mm needles are required, available in either double pointed needle or circular needle formats depending on the maker's preference for working in the round. The pattern recommends knitting at a tighter gauge than suggested on the Lion Brand Wool Ease ball band to create a denser, warmer fabric that provides superior insulation.

Notions and Tools: Additional materials include a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends, three stitch markers to track pattern repeats and shaping points, and spare yarn or stitch holders for temporarily storing stitches during construction, particularly when creating the thumb opening.

Difficulty Level and Sizing

Rated as an intermediate knitting project, the Thumbs Up Mitts require foundational knitting knowledge and comfort with working in the round. The pattern is versatile in sizing: the ribbed construction naturally stretches to fit various hand sizes. Crafters can increase the mitt size by adding extra stitches in multiples of four and continuing the k2p2 ribbed pattern, or alternatively, work the pattern using thicker or thinner yarn weights to achieve desired dimensions.