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Portrait of Sierra Roberts
by: Sierra Roberts

Mittens Mittens Mittens!

It’s mitten knittin’ season!

November has settled upon us and up here in Maine, my hands are cold. I know I’m not alone in this, so I thought I’d compile a list of knitting patterns for keeping those fingers toasty. We have fingerless mitts, easy two-needle mittens, and lots of other styles – a few of which are even free!

(For patterns that are free, or free with yarn purchase, just remember to put the item in your shopping cart!)

Speaking of free, I’ll start off with the very popular Eight Days A Week Fingerless Mitts - Pattern Download. These use just one skein of Katia Cotton-Merino Yarn and are worked in the round with a button-hole thumb.  Super simple, this is a great quick fix project (great for a last-minute gift, too). Not only is this a free download, but the worsted weight gauge means you’ve got a lot of yarn choices. I recently made myself a pair out of [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock] , and I love them. If you want to make your own, don’t forget to add this free pattern download to your cart!

 

Eight Days A Week Fingerless Mitts - Pattern Download  Eight Days A Week Fingerless Mitts - Pattern Download
Katia Cotton-Merino Yarn Katia Cotton-Merino Yarn
[Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock]
 [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock]

Two other fingerless mitt patterns that I like a lot are the Endless Ruby Mitts - DK/Light Weight which feature a mock cable stitch pattern and the Cupid's Victim Mitts Pattern, which have a lovely Arrowhead lace pattern. Each of these patterns requires just one skein of Malabrigo Silky Merino Yarn, and both are available in print or as a downloadable PDF.

 

Endless Ruby Mitts - DK/Light Weight  Endless Ruby Mitts - DK/Light Weight
Endless Ruby Mitts - DK/Light Weight - Pattern download  Endless Ruby Mitts - DK/Light Weight - Pattern download
Cupid's Victim Mitts Pattern  Cupid's Victim Mitts Pattern
Cupid's Victim Mitts Pattern Download  Cupid's Victim Mitts Pattern Download
Malabrigo Silky Merino Yarn Malabrigo Silky Merino Yarn

A good pattern for both men and women is the Whole Wide World - Fingerless Mitts, also available in print or as a download. Worked flat and seamed, these require one skein each of two colors in Herriot Fine Alpaca by Juniper Moon Farm Yarn. Soft and light-weight, but still very durable and warm, these are less bulky than many so they’re great for indoors too if your hands get chilly typing or knitting. I made two pairs of these mitts and still had a bit of yarn left over!

 

Whole Wide World - Fingerless Mitts  Whole Wide World - Fingerless Mitts
Herriot Fine Alpaca by Juniper Moon Farm Yarn Herriot Fine Alpaca by Juniper Moon Farm Yarn

If woolly mitts are more your thing, there’s always the [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock] and the [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock] . These both use [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock] , so they’re sure to be warm. Although I love Harrisville’s colors, I also love the subtle tweedy flecks of Peace Fleece Yarn – which can also be used for these projects!

 

[Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock]
  [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock]
[Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock]
  [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock]
[Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock]
 [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock]
Peace Fleece Yarn Peace Fleece Yarn

Warm is the very definition of the [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock] . Also available as a downloadable PDF, this pattern is free with the purchase of a skein or more of Lamb's Pride Bulky Yarn. You’ll also need 2 oz (.12 lb) of fiber for stuffing – we recommend Merino Silk Top Fiber, Merino Top Wool Fiber or Ashford NZ Wool Fiber to Spin and Felt. Don’t forget to add the pattern to your shopping cart, too!

 

[Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock]
  [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock]
Snuggly Stuffed Mitten - Pattern download  Snuggly Stuffed Mitten - Pattern download
Lamb's Pride Bulky Yarn Lamb's Pride Bulky Yarn
Merino Silk Top Fiber Merino Silk Top Fiber
Merino Top Wool Fiber Merino Top Wool Fiber
Ashford NZ Wool Fiber to Spin and Felt Ashford NZ Wool Fiber to Spin and Felt

Another super warm and sturdy option is felted mitts. Make ’em big and shrink ’em down! Snow Country Felt Mittens includes sizes for kids, women and men. Great yarn options for these include Norumbega Yarn, Plymouth Gina Yarn, Kureyon by Noro Yarn, and Lamb's Pride Worsted Yarn.

 

Snow Country Felt Mittens  Snow Country Felt Mittens
Norumbega Yarn Norumbega Yarn
Plymouth Gina Yarn Plymouth Gina Yarn
Kureyon by  Noro  Yarn Kureyon by Noro Yarn
Lamb's Pride Worsted Yarn Lamb's Pride Worsted Yarn

I like where we’re going with this woolly stuff… The [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock] pattern is an easy two-needle project that uses good old fashioned wool. These would be perfect in Tuffy Canadian Sock Yarn, [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock] , or Norumbega Yarn.

 

[Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock]
  [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock]
Tuffy Canadian Sock Yarn Tuffy Canadian Sock Yarn
[Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock]
 [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock]
Norumbega Yarn Norumbega Yarn

You can also use Lamb's Pride Bulky Yarn to make the [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock] , although nothing beats the sheen and softness of [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock] .

 

Lamb's Pride Bulky Yarn Lamb's Pride Bulky Yarn
[Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock]
  [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock]
[Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock]
 [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock]

Jo Sharp Silkroad Ultra Yarn is another luxuriously soft yarn, with it’s blend of wool, silk and cashmere. Use two balls of this beautiful yarn to make the squishy mittens found in the [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock] .

 

Jo Sharp Silkroad Ultra Yarn Jo Sharp Silkroad Ultra Yarn
[Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock]
  [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock]
[Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock]
  [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock]

A small project like mittens is a good way to get your hands on luxury yarn without breaking the bank. We have a few patterns that call for just one skein of Swans Island yarn- from fingering to worsted weight:
The Swans Island Earl Grey Mitts pattern uses one skein of [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock] , and these mitts even have ribbed undersides to keep them snug.

 

Swans Island Earl Grey Mitts  Swans Island Earl Grey Mitts
[Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock]
 [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock]

One skein of Swans Island Organic Merino Ecowash Sport Yarn is all you need for the [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock] ; these have the added benefit of being machine washable. This pattern is available as a downloadable PDF.

 

Swans Island Organic Merino Ecowash Sport Yarn Swans Island Organic Merino Ecowash Sport Yarn
[Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock]
  [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock]
[Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock]
  [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock]

The fingerless Swans Island Blackberry Mitts is also available as a downloadable PDF. Again, this project only requires one skein of Swans Island Worsted Organic Merino Wool Yarn, as does the lovely [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock] .
Our Simply Beautiful Cowl and Mitts [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock] is another one-skein project (for the whole set!) in Swans Island Worsted Organic Merino Wool Yarn, and it’s free with the purchase of this yarn! Available as a downloadable PDF or in print, all you’ve got to do is add this pattern to your cart along with the yarn and it’s all yours.

 

Swans Island Blackberry Mitts  Swans Island Blackberry Mitts
[Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock]
  [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock]
Swans Island Worsted Organic Merino Wool Yarn Swans Island Worsted Organic Merino Wool Yarn
[Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock]
  [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock]
Simply Beautiful Cowl and Mitts   Simply Beautiful Cowl and Mitts
[Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock]
  [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock]

Knitting Pure & Simple fans will love the Basic Hat and Mitten Set for Women by Knitting Pure and Simple, which would be lovely knit up in Malabrigo Merino Worsted Wool Yarn or Lamb's Pride Worsted Yarn.  Then there’s the Basic Hat and Mitten Set for Children by Knitting Pure and Simple, which is an easy, affordable, and washable choice in Plymouth Encore Worsted Yarn. Encore is also a good choice for the Baby Hats, Mitts and Booties by Knitting Pure and Simple, or use Malabrigo Merino Worsted Wool Yarn for a multicolored pair.

 

Basic Hat and Mitten Set for Women by Knitting Pure and Simple  Basic Hat and Mitten Set for Women by Knitting Pure and Simple
Malabrigo Merino Worsted Wool Yarn Malabrigo Merino Worsted Wool Yarn
Lamb's Pride Worsted Yarn Lamb's Pride Worsted Yarn
Basic Hat and Mitten Set for Children by Knitting Pure and Simple  Basic Hat and Mitten Set for Children by Knitting Pure and Simple
Plymouth Encore Worsted Yarn Plymouth Encore Worsted Yarn
Baby Hats, Mitts and Booties by Knitting Pure and Simple  Baby Hats, Mitts and Booties by Knitting Pure and Simple
Malabrigo Merino Worsted Wool Yarn Malabrigo Merino Worsted Wool Yarn

The last patterns I’ll share with you today are two classics we’ve relied on for years; Yankee Knitter Pattern Mittens and Hats and Mittens - Yankee Knitter .

 

Yankee Knitter Pattern Mittens  Yankee Knitter Pattern Mittens
Yankee Knitter Pattern Mittens - pattern download  Yankee Knitter Pattern Mittens - pattern download
Hats and Mittens - Yankee Knitter   Hats and Mittens - Yankee Knitter
Hats and Mittens - Yankee Knitter  - Pattern download  Hats and Mittens - Yankee Knitter - Pattern download

The Pattern Mittens require 115 to 190 yards of the main color and 30 yards of the contrasting color(s). For a slightly denser knit I would personally choose Lettlopi (Lite Lopi) Icelandic Wool Yarn for these – two balls for the main color, one ball for contrasting. Or try the Jo Sharp Classic DK Wool Yarn for a great range of colors.

 

Lettlopi (Lite Lopi) Icelandic Wool Yarn Lettlopi (Lite Lopi) Icelandic Wool Yarn
Jo Sharp Classic DK Wool Yarn Jo Sharp Classic DK Wool Yarn

For the Yankee Knitter Hats & Mittens Pattern you’ll need the following:

  • Classic Watch Cap requires 100 – 230 yards (worsted), or 60 – 120 yards (bulky).
  • Roll Brim Stripe Watch Cap requires 50 – 150 yards each of two colors (worsted), or 30 – 65 yards each of two colors (bulky).
  • Stocking Cap requires 150 – 320 yards (worsted), or 100 – 200 yards (bulky).
  • Roll Striped Stocking Cap requires 70 – 160 yards each of two colors (worsted), or 50 – 100 yards each of two colors (bulky).
  • Mittens require 75 – 200 yards (worsted), or 60 – 125 yards (bulky).

For classic worsted weight yarns try:

 

Lamb's Pride Worsted Yarn Lamb's Pride Worsted Yarn
Norumbega Yarn Norumbega Yarn
Plymouth Encore Worsted Yarn Plymouth Encore Worsted Yarn
Plymouth Select Worsted Merino Superwash Yarn Plymouth Select Worsted Merino Superwash Yarn

For extra cozy bulky yarns try:

 

Lamb's Pride Bulky Yarn Lamb's Pride Bulky Yarn
[Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock]
 [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock]
Lopi Alafoss Icelandic Wool Yarn Lopi Alafoss Icelandic Wool Yarn
Cascade Eco  and Cascade Eco Plus Wool Yarn Cascade Eco and Cascade Eco Plus Wool Yarn

And for the perfect finish don’t forget to grab a Pom Pom Maker too!

From the practical to the playful, mittens (and hats!) are a great gift and a fun way to try out new yarns. With all these different patterns to choose from, our chilly hands won’t have to stay cold for long!

 

 

 

Related items of interest: • Knitting PatternsOur yarnsMedium weight yarnsCotton yarnsLight weight yarnsSilk yarnsSuper Fine weight yarnsAlpaca yarnsWool yarnsBulky weight yarnsOur fibersFine weight yarnsMerino Wool yarnsSynthetic yarns