Knit Hand Mitts:  A Perfect Beginner Project

Knit Hand Mitts     by Janice Jones    

This super easy knit hand mitt pattern is perfect for the beginner and works up fast with minimal effort.  Created for a woman’s hand, just a few minor alterations will make them fit a man’s hand as well. 

Two knit hand mitts, one being wornPink Variegated Knit Hand Mitts

Only three different stitches are used, including 2 x 2 ribbing, stockinette, and garter stitch.  Both right and left-handed mitts are worked identically. 

Each one is knitted in a flat rectangular shape and then sewn together, leaving an opening for the thumb.

Tip:  If you are beginning to knit, using bamboo needles may help you keep stitches on the needle.  Since this is a small project, you will want to choose needles that aren’t too long.  I’m using double-pointed needles, seven inches long. 

You will want to add needle point protectors at one end so that you don’t accidentally lose your stitches, if you must set your knitting down overnight or longer.  Alternatively as you can see in the photo below, I've cut a wine cork in half and used 1/2 cork on each needle.  The big red "7" is the size of the needle.

Knitted Hand Mitts using 2 double-pointed knitting needles with wine cork ends.Knit Hand Mitts: Work in Progress

Knit Hand Mitts

Project Skill Level

Project-Level-Basic.jpg

Basic

Finished Size

Finished Size:  7 inches (add an extra row or two if you prefer them to be longer)

For a larger size mitt, cast on more stitches in multiples of two;  increase rows of stockinette stitch to add length to the mitt.

Tools and Materials

  • Yarn:  I recommend acrylic or a mixture of wool and acrylic;  Number 4 medium worsted weight yarn.
  • Needles:  US 7 (4.5 mm)
  • Yarn needle for seaming and weaving in ends
  • Scissors
  • Rule or tape measure

Gauge

5 stitches = 1 inch in stockinette stitch

Abbreviations

K - knit

P - Purl

CO - Cast on

BO - Bind off

*   * - Repeat the instructions between the two asterisks for the number of times indicated in the pattern.

Skills Needed for this Fingerless Mit Pattern

Instructions:  Knit Hand Mitts

Instructions:  Make 2

CO 36 stitches using the long-tail cast-on method.

TIP:  Cast on loosely, so the stitches are a bit stretchy

Rows 1 – 10 

Ribbing:  *K2, P2, repeat from * to the end of the row.

Make ten rows of this ribbing stitch.

Rows 11 – 24

Garter Stitch:  Knit across each row for 14 rows.

Rows 25 - 35

Stockinette Stitch:  

Knit one row, purl one row for 10 rows.

Rows 36-48

2 by 2 Ribbing for 12 rows.

Row 36:  *K2, P2,  repeat from * to the end of the row.

Repeat for 11 more rows.

Add more rows if desired or reduce the number for smaller hands.

Last Row:  Bind off following the K2, P2 pattern.  Leave about a 10-inch tail to use for stitching the seam.

Finishing:

Make 2

Using a yarn needle, sew sides from top-down and then from the bottom up, leaving about a 2 ½ inch opening for the thumbs.  Weave ends and then cut leftover yarn close to the mitt.  I recommend the mattress stitch for sewing seams.

Tip For Seams

Ensure you have correctly lined up your stitches and pin them if necessary using a safety pin or straight pin before beginning to sew.  

Happy knitting,

Janice

Pin for Future Reference

Knit Hand Mitts PinKnit Hand Mitts: Free Pattern

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About Janice

Hi, I’m Janice, the voice behind Smart-Knit-Crocheting. I love to knit and crochet and even more, I love teaching others what I know.

Though I learned to knit and crochet as a child, I didn’t get serious about these amazing hobbies until I retired. I’m a certified knit and crochet instructor through the Craft Yarn Council and am working on becoming a Master Hand Knitter through The Knitting Guild Association.

I’m currently living with my husband of over 50 years and our 7 Shih Tzu dogs.

I love hearing from you, so please drop me a line and let me know what you’re working on, whether you love knitting or crocheting more, and if you have any questions. Please visit my about me page for more information.


Happy Crocheting