Stitch Up Mitts

Stitch Up Mitts by Sunshine Stewart

What Is Being Made

Stitch Up Mitts is a fingerless glove pattern designed by Sunshine Stewart that offers both style and practicality. These elegant fingerless gloves are suitable for a range of hand sizes, with options for two child sizes and two adult sizes. The pattern allows crafters to complete a pair quickly, making it an ideal weekend project for knitters seeking a satisfying yet manageable knitting experience.

Pattern Construction and Technique

The Stitch Up Mitts are worked in the round using a circular construction method, beginning from the bottom and working upward. This approach creates seamless, professional-looking fingerless gloves. Knitters have flexibility in their needle choice: the pattern can be worked on 3.25mm (US 3) double-pointed needles, or alternatively using the magic loop method with two circular needles. This versatility accommodates different knitting preferences and allows crafters to select the technique they find most comfortable.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches and techniques appropriate for intermediate-level knitters:

• Stockinette stitch in the round – The primary fabric structure, created by knitting all rounds to produce a smooth, classic knit appearance
• Cast On (CO) – The foundation technique for beginning the mitts
• Bind Off (BO) – The finishing technique to secure stitches and complete the gloves
• Knit (K) and Purl (P) stitches – Basic stitches that form the foundation of the pattern
• Make One Right (M1R) and Make One Left (M1L) increases – Shaping techniques that add stitches while maintaining pattern integrity. M1R is worked by inserting the left-hand needle from back to front under the strand between stitches and knitting through the front loop, while M1L uses a front-to-back insertion for directional shaping

Materials and Yarn Requirements

Stitch Up Mitts requires minimal yardage, making this an economical project. The pattern calls for DK weight yarn totaling less than 65 grams (approximately 150 yards), allowing knitters to use yarn from their stash or purchase a small quantity. The recommended needles are 3.25mm (US 3) double-pointed needles, or the equivalent size needed to achieve the correct gauge. Stitch markers are optional but helpful for tracking pattern repeats and round beginnings. Knitters may also choose to substitute two circular needles if using the magic loop method instead of traditional double-pointed needles.

Gauge and Sizing

Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit. The pattern specifies a gauge of 7 stitches per inch or 28 stitches by 40 rows equaling 4 inches of stockinette stitch worked in the round. This moderate gauge is typical for DK weight yarn and contributes to the elegant drape of the finished fingerless gloves. The inclusion of multiple sizes ensures that both children and adults can enjoy this design with a customized fit.

Difficulty Level

Classified as an intermediate pattern, Stitch Up Mitts is accessible to knitters with foundational skills who are ready to work beyond basic projects. The combination of circular knitting, shaping increases, and sizing options provides a satisfying challenge without overwhelming complexity, making it an excellent choice for knitters looking to expand their technique repertoire.