How to Knit Mittens

Mittens are a form of winter wear that keeps the hands warm and comes in a variety of styles. Unlike gloves, they are easier to knit because they lack defined fingers other than the thumb. In this step by step tutorial, you learn how to knit mittens that have a cable and twist texture.

This pattern is suitable for novice knitters. Mittens are one of the easiest garments to create because you only need to use minimal shaping techniques. Some of the more advanced knitting stitches are defined on this page. However, if you need help with the basics, read the How to Teach Yourself to Knit article. You need the following supplies to get started with this craft project: cable needles, set of size 4 double pointed needles, stitch holders, yarn needle and 5 ounces of worsted weight yarn. It is recommended that you also use a stitch counter to keep up with how many rounds you have worked. It should take anywhere from 12 to 16 hours to finish a pattern.

The shaping for this pattern was adapted from a public domain knitting volume named Gloves and Mittens, Volume 29.http://freevintageknitting.com/print/180 It has been modified to include an Aran inspired cable along the cuff. This design addition adds more visual depth to the design. For those that need more information about making the twist and cable stitch, read the How to Knit a Cable Stitch page.

Thumb Gusset Set Up

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Kelley's Mitten Class - Thumb Gusse...

source: www.youtube.com

In this video, Kelley Petkun gives you detailed instructions on making thumb gussets. You will notice that she is using circular needles instead of double pointed needles. However, the stitch creation method is the same. Interestingly, she shows you how to make a thumb at different positions. This video is part of a mitten series. The running time is 6:10.

Step 1: Knitting Terms

Cables and Twists:
Cable 3 Front: Using the cable needle, slip the next two stitches onto it and hang in front. Knit the next stitch on the left needle. Then, knit the stitches from the cable needle individually.

Cable 3 Back: Using the cable needle, slip the next stitch onto it and hang in back. Knit the next two stitches on the left needle. Then, knit the stitch from the cable needle.

Cable 4 Front: Using the cable needle, slip the next two stitches onto it and hang in front. Knit the next two stitches on the left needle. Then, knit the stitches from the cable needle individually.

Cable 4 Back: Using the cable needle, slip the next two stitches onto it and hang in back. Knit the next two stitches on the left needle. Then, knit the stitches from the cable needle individually.

Twist 3 Front: Using the cable needle, slip the next two stitches onto it and hang in front. Purl the next stitch on the left needle. Then, knit the stitches from the cable needle individually.

Twist 3 Back: Using the cable needle, slip the next stitch onto it and hang in back. Knit the next two stitches on the left needle. Then, purl the stitch from the cable needle.

Twist 4 Front: Using the cable needle, slip the next two stitches onto it and hang in front. Purl the next two stitches on the left needle. Then, knit the stitches from the cable needle individually.

Twist 4 Back: Using the cable needle, slip the next two stitches onto it and hang in back. Knit the next two stitches on the left needle. Then, purl the stitches from the cable needle individually.

Decreases:
Knit 2 Together Decrease:

Place your right needle through the next 2 stitches from left to right like you would for a knit stitch.
Yarn over and pull the loop through. You have decreased one stitch.

Increase:
Make 1 Knit:

Using the tip of the right needle, pick up the purl bump behind the first knit stitch on the left needle.
Move the loop to the left needle.
Knit this new loop.

Step 2: The Ribbing and Cable Cuff

The gauge dimensions are 1inch wide by 1 inch tall. A size 4 needle and worsted weight yarn were used to create the gauge.

Gauge:
Make a chain with 6 loops.
Row 1: Knit 6.
Row 2: Purl 6.
Row 3 through 9: Repeat rows 1 and 2.

Ribbing Instructions:
Cast 44 stitches onto 3 needles evenly. Join.
Round 1 through 7: Sequence: Knit 2 then purl 2. Repeat sequence across the round.

Cable Instructions:
Round 1 and 2: Sequence: Knit 2, purl 7, knit 4, purl 7 then knit 2. Repeat sequence once more.
Round 3: Sequence: Knit 2, purl 6, cable 3 back, cable 3 front, purl 6 then knit 2. Repeat sequence once more.
Round 4: Sequence: Knit 2, purl 6, knit 6, purl 6 then knit 2. Repeat sequence once more.
Round 5: Sequence: Knit 2, purl 5, cable 3 back, knit 2, cable 3 front, purl 5 then knit 2. Repeat sequence once more.
Round 6: Sequence: Knit 2, purl 5, knit 8, purl 5 then knit 2. Repeat sequence once more.
Round 7: Sequence: Knit 2, purl 4, twist 3 back, knit 4, twist 3 front, purl 4 then knit 2. Repeat sequence once more.
Round 8: Sequence: Knit 2, purl 4, knit 2, purl 1, knit 4, purl 1, knit 2, purl 4 then knit 2. Repeat sequence once more.
Round 9: Sequence: Knit 2, purl 3, twist 3 back, purl 1, knit 4, purl 1, twist 3 front, purl 3 then knit 2. Repeat sequence once more.
Round 10: Sequence: Knit 2, purl 3, knit 2, purl 2, knit 4, purl 2, knit 2, purl 3 then knit 2. Repeat sequence once more.
Round 11:' Sequence: Twist 4 front, twist 3 back, purl 2, knit 4, purl 2, twist 3 front then twist 4 back. Repeat sequence once more.
Round 12:' Sequence: Purl 2, knit 4, purl 3, knit 4, purl 3, knit 4 then purl 2. Repeat sequence once more.
Round 13: Sequence: Purl 2, cable 4 back, purl 3, knit 4, purl 3, cable 4 front then purl 2. Repeat sequence once more.
Round 14:' Sequence: Purl 2, knit 4, purl 3, knit 4, purl 3, knit 4 then purl 2. Repeat sequence once more.
Round 15: Sequence: Purl 1, twist 3 back, twist 3 front, purl 2, knit 4, purl 2, twist 3 back, twist 3 front then purl 1. Repeat sequence once more.
Round 16: Sequence: Purl 1, knit 2, purl 2, knit 2, purl 2, knit 4, purl 2, knit 2, purl 2, knit 2 then purl 1. Repeat sequence once more.
Round 17: Sequence: Twist 3 back, purl 2, twist 3 front, purl 1, knit 4, purl 1, twist 3 back, purl 2 then twist 3 front. Repeat sequence once more.
Round 18: Sequence: Knit 2, purl 4, knit 2, purl 1, knit 4, purl 1, knit 2, purl 4 then knit 2. Repeat sequence once more.
Round 19: Sequence: Knit 2, purl 4, twist 3 front, knit 4, twist 3 back, purl 4 then knit 2. Repeat sequence once more.
Round 20: Sequence: Knit 2, purl 5, knit 8, purl 5 then knit 2. Repeat sequence once more.

Step 3: Body of the Mitten

Body Instructions:
Round 1: Knit across the round.
44 stitches
Round 2: Knit 2 together, knit 40 then knit 2 together.
42 stitches
Round 3 through 6: Knit across the round.
42 stitches
Round 4: Make 1 knit increase. This is the first thumb shaping stitch. Knit 1 then make 1 knit increase. Knit the remaining stitches.
44 stitches
Round 5 and 6: Knit across the round.
44 stitches
Round 7: Make 1 knit increase. This is the first thumb shaping stitch. Knit 3 then make 1 knit increase. Knit the remaining stitches.
46 stitches
Round 8 and 9: Knit across the round.
46 stitches
Round 10: Make 1 knit increase. This is the first thumb shaping stitch. Knit 5 then make 1 knit increase. Knit the remaining stitches.
48 stitches
Round 11 and 12: Knit across the round.
48 stitches
Round 13: Make 1 knit increase. This is the first thumb shaping stitch. Knit 7 then make 1 knit increase. Knit the remaining stitches.
50 stitches
Round 14 and 15: Knit across the round.
50 stitches
Round 16: Make 1 knit increase. This is the first thumb shaping stitch. Knit 9 then make 1 knit increase. Knit the remaining stitches.
52 stitches
Round 17 and 18: Knit across the round.
52 stitches
Round 19: Make 1 knit increase. This is the first thumb shaping stitch. Knit 11 then make 1 knit increase. Knit the remaining stitches.
54 stitches
Round 20 and 21: Knit across the round.
54 stitches
Round 22: Slip the first 15 stitches to a stitch holder. These are the foundation stitches for the thumb that you work later. Knit the rest of the stitches in the round.
39 stitches
Round 23: Cast 3 stitches on your working needle. To do this, you can simply loop the working yarn over your finger then insert the tip of your right needle and pull up a loop. After you cast on the new stitches, pull your yarn in tightly and make knit stitches across the rest of the stitches on the needles. (Remember to skip the stitch holder for now.)
42 stitches
At this point, knit all the rounds until the body is 6 inches in length.

Body Tip Instructions:
Round 1: Sequence: Knit 2 then knit 2 together. Repeat the sequence 9 more times. In the last 2 stitches, knit 2.
32 stitches
Round 2: Sequence: Knit 1 then knit 2 together. Repeat the sequence 9 more times. In the last 2 stitches, knit 2.
22 stitches
Round 3: Sequence: Knit 2 together. Repeat the sequence 10 more times.
11 stitches
Now, cut your yarn at 12 inches. Thread it onto your yarn needle. Then, take the yarn through all 11 loops and draw the top closed. Weave the ends in and secure.

Thumb Instructions:

Go back to the stitches that you put on the stitch holder. Put 8 of these stitches on one needle and the last 7 on another. Then, pick up 3 stitches from the cast-on edge of the row above. To pick up the stitches, use an empty needle and slip the tip through 3 of the bump loops behind that cast-on edge. You have 18 stitches on 3 needles now. Knit every round until the thumb is 2 inches tall. Take your measurement from the cast on stitches to the tip of the thumb.

Round 1: Sequence: Knit 1 then knit 2 together. Repeat the sequence 4 more times.
13 stitches
Round 2 and 3: Knit across the round.
13 stitches
Round 4: Sequence: Knit 2 together. Repeat the sequence 5 more times. Then, knit 1.
7 stitches
To finish the thumb tip, follow the same weaving instructions of the body tip. Once you are done making both mittens, make sure to block them. To learn more about blocking, read the How to Teach Yourself to Knit article.