French Braid Mitts

French Braid Mitts by Allison Bostrom

Project Overview

The French Braid Mitts are a knitted fingerless mitt design created by independent designer Allison Bostrom of Clair de Lune Fiber Art. These mitts feature decorative cable work inspired by French braiding techniques, making them an attractive accessory for various hand sizes from toddler through adult large.

What Is Being Made

French Braid Mitts are fingerless gloves or hand mitts that cover the hand and wrist while leaving the fingers exposed. This style is practical for activities requiring finger dexterity while maintaining warmth around the palm and wrist area. The pattern is available in six sizes: Toddler, Child S, Child L, Adult S, Adult M, and Adult L, accommodating hand circumferences from 5.5 inches (14 cm) to 8 inches (20.5 cm).

Knitting Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project incorporates several key techniques:

• Cable knitting: The primary decorative element, featuring French braid-inspired cable patterns that run along the mitt
• Circular knitting: Constructed in the round using either double-pointed needles or the magic loop method
• Stockinette stitch: The foundation stitch used for the body of the mitts, creating a smooth, classic fabric
• Stitch markers: Essential for tracking pattern repeats and shaping throughout the project

Stitches and Construction Details

The mitts are worked primarily in stockinette stitch, which creates the smooth V-pattern texture characteristic of knitted fabric. Cable stitches are incorporated to create the French braid design element. The pattern uses a gauge of 20 stitches by 27 rounds per 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch, which helps ensure proper fit across all size options. The mitts are designed with zero ease, meaning they fit snugly to the hand circumference measurements provided.

Materials Required

Yarn: The pattern calls for worsted or aran weight yarn (category 4), with yardage requirements varying by size. The sample was created using Caron Simply Soft in Off White, with yardage ranging from 45 yards (24 grams) for the toddler size to 125 yards (67 grams) for the adult large size.

Needles and Tools: Knitters will need four 3.5 mm double-pointed needles or 40-inch (102 cm) circular needles if using the magic loop technique. A cable needle or additional double-pointed needle is required for executing the cable stitches. Additional notions include five stitch markers, a tape measure, scissors, and a yarn needle for weaving in ends.

Sizing Information

The French Braid Mitts pattern accommodates multiple sizes with the following hand circumference measurements:

• Toddler: 5.5 inches (14 cm)
• Child S: 6 inches (15 cm)
• Child L: 6.5 inches (16.5 cm)
• Adult S: 7 inches (18 cm)
• Adult M: 7.5 inches (19 cm)
• Adult L: 8 inches (20.5 cm)

The range of sizes makes this pattern suitable for gift-giving across age groups and for creating matching sets for families.