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I have to say, I love functional design. I wanted to design a new pair of fingerless mittens, that would allow me to fold them out to be warmer but still have easy access to my fingers. You might have seen my other fingerless glove pattern, where I include a top that can be pulled back. This time I wanted something even easier to access and elegant.
The ribbing design makes them super stretchy but also very cozy. Whenever I start designing something that is conceptually simple I always end up kicking myself and realizing writing designs is never easy or simple. Anyway, by the time this design was written and tested… the summer was about to start!
So I decided to wait a little bit before and I’m glad I did! Now that the weather is cooling down a little, and we are getting ready for the fall, these mittens come back as the perfect solution
Design
These mittens are knitted in a 2×2 rib pattern, starting from the bottom of the cuff and working your way up until you create increases for the thumb and separate.
This simple design makes it very easy to customize the length of the cuff, the length of the thumb and of the hand that folds in. It makes a great and warm holiday gift that will fit just about anyone!
Because of the stretchiness of this pattern, there is only one size and it’s unisex. It can fit hand circumferences from 6 inches to 8.5 inches.
Yarn
Once more, I used one of my favorite worsted yarns to create this pattern. Of course, I’m talking about Wool of the Andes from Knit Picks. I’ve used it many times in other projects and I usually always have a few skeins in my stash and that’s all you need to make a pair.
This beautiful and rich red is called Garnet Heather, and you will need about 200 yards or 2 skeins of Wool of the Andes. The yarn is spun from Peruvian wool and comes in so many colors, you can make it any which way you want. It’s also a very economic yarn while you still get the benefit of wool! If you have a wool allergy and have to use synthetic, just make sure you make a gauge swatch!
Ready to start? Find the free version of the pattern below or download a PDF version from your preferred store!
Pattern
Materials & Tools Needed:
- 2 Skeins of Wool of the Andes Worsted (sample is in Garnet Heather)
or 200 yards of worsted weight yarn.
- 3.75 mm or US5 DPNs or circular needles for magic loop
- 2 Stitch markers
- Darning needle
- Stitch holder or scrap yarn
Gauge:
K2 P2 pattern in the round
14 stitches, 13 rounds – 2 inches unblocked.
Construction:
This pattern is worked from the cuff up. The length of the cuff can be customized, as well as the length of the fingers and thumb.
Because of the stretchiness of this pattern, there is only one size and it’s unisex. It can fit hand circumferences from 6 inches to 8.5 inches.
Abbreviations:
K – knit
P – purl
Rpt – repeat
PM – Place marker
SM – slip marker
St(s) – stitch(es)
BOR– Beginning of round
M1 – Increase, make one stitchP2tog – Decrease. Purl the two next stitches together.
Note: Pattern is written in US terms
Cast on 40 sts and join in the round, careful not to twist sts.
PM to mark BOR.
CUFF
Ribbing Pattern Round: Rpt K2, P2 pattern until BOR.
Rpt ribbing round until cuff measures 2.5 inches from cast on.
| Customize it! Add or remove rounds here to customize the length. If you do this, make sure to make a note so you can repeat it in the second mitten. |
HAND INCREASES
Round 1: M1, *K2, P2. Rpt from * to last 4 sts in the round, PM, M1, K2, P2.
Round 2: P1, *K2, P2. Rpt from * until marker. SM, P1, K2, P2.
Round 3: M1, P1, *K2, P2. Rpt from * until marker. SM, M1, P1, K2 P2.
Round 4: P2, *K2, P2. Rpt from * until marker. SM, P2, K2, P2.
Round 5: M1, P2, *K2, P2. Rpt from * until marker. SM, M1, P2, K2, P2.
Round 6: K1, P2, *K2, P2. Rpt from * until marker, SM, K1, P2, K2, P2
Round 7: M1, K1, P2, *K2, P2. Rpt from * until marker. SM, M1, K1, P2, K2, P2
Round 8: Rpt K2, P2 pattern until BOR.
Rpt Round 8 for 11 more times, for a total of 12 rounds without increases, or until you are about 1.5 inches from the thumb on the hand.
SEPARATE THUMB FROM HAND
Set up round: Knit in K2 P2 pattern until marker. SM, put the next 10 sts on hold, removing all markers including BOR. Cast on 6 sts with the knit cast on method. Join in the round closing the hand again.
Round 1: K in K2 P2 Pattern until 2 sts before new casted on sts. (P2tog)twice, K2, (P2tog) twice. Place new BOR marker, You have decreased 4 sts. New stitch count: 40 sts.
Round 2: Knit in K2 P2 pattern until BOR.
Rpt Round 2 until the hand measures 4.5 inches from thumb separation. Cast off loosely, weave in ends. Fold over fingers.
| Customize it! Add or remove rounds here to customize the length. It should be long enough to fold over and still cover most of the fingers. If you do this, make sure to make a note. |
THUMB
Pick up 10 sts on hold for the thumb. Pick up one stitch from the corner where the thumb and hand connect. Pick up 6 sts from the hand. Pick up one more st from the other side of the thumb where it connects.
Round 1: PM for BOR, knit in K2, P2. over the 10 sts that were on hold, P2tog, P1, K2, P1, P2tog.
Round 2: Knit in K2 P2 pattern until BOR.
Rpt round 2 until the thumb measures 1.5 inches or desired length. Cast off loosely.
Weave in remaining ends. Rpt all steps for the second mitten.
To maintain stretchiness, don’t block the pieces.
Don’t forget to share your finished piece using the hashtag #MidtownMittens and tag me @theknityorker
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Prefer Crochet? Here’s a list of some of my crochet patterns!
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