Author
Brenda K. B. Anderson
Introduction
My sister-in-law (who
incidentally lives in Michigan, the nation's high-five) asked me for a
no-frills mitten pattern using worsted weight yarn. Finding one was harder than I thought, so I came up with
this one. It is quite simple,
worked in single crochet only. I have included a pattern for an optional star
appliqué, but feel free to experiment with other embellishments, such as
crocheted flowers or beading. Or
not. Sometimes less is more.
Materials List
- Size G - 6/4.00mm hook
- Approximately 200
yards of worsted weight yarn in color of your choice for Women's
size. (I used Ella Rae
washable yarn in 75% Acrylic, 25% wool). Approximately 150 yards of worsted weight yarn for Older Kid's size. (I used Lion
Brand "Vanna's Choice in "Magenta", 100% acrylic). Approximately 100 yards of worsted
weight yarn for Preschool size.
(I used Lion Brand "Vanna's Choice" in "Fern", 100% acrylic).
- Less than 10 yards of
worsted weight yarn for a pair of stars (optional)
- Yarn needle
Finished Size
These
mittens are patterned for preschool sized hands with older kids and women's
sizes shown in parenthesis.
Preschool
These
mittens measure approximately 6.5" in length, including ribbed cuff. They measure about 6" around the hand
(circumference was measured just above where thumb splits off).
Older
kids
These
mittens measure approximately 8" from ribbing edge, to fingertip. They measure about 7.25" around the
hand (circumference was measured just above where thumb splits off).
Women's
Size
These
mittens fit most women's hands.
They measure approximately 10" from ribbing edge, to fingertip. They measure about 9" around the hand
(circumference was measured just above where thumb splits off).
Star measures 2 ¼" from tip to tip.
Gauge
17
sts and 18 rows worked in sc = 4" x 4"
Notes
Abbreviations
and terms used in this pattern:
Ch
= chain
Dc
= double crochet (used in star pattern only)
Hdc
= half double crochet (used in star pattern only)
sc
= single crochet
sc2tog = single crochet 2 stitches
together. This is a decrease
stitch. (Insert hook into next stitch, yarn over, pull loop through to the
front of work, insert hook into next stitch, yarn over, pull loop through to
the front, yarn over and pull through all three loops on the hook.)
Sl
st = slip stitch
st(s)
= stitch (stitches)
Tbl = through back loop.
When you sc tbl (single crochet through back loop) you will insert your hook
under only the back loop of the next stitch, not under both loops like
a normal single crochet stitch.
The back bump:
This is also known as the back, backside, or
butt of a chain stitch. This is
the part of the chain stitch that is opposite of the two loops (the ones
that form the "v") that you would normally insert your hook under. In other words, if you turn the chain
upside down, so that you are looking at the bottom of it, you will see a line
of dashes. It is under each dash,
that you would insert your hook if you were instructed to crochet into the back
bump of each chain stitch.
Magic Ring:
The
star pattern starts out with a magic ring. If you are not familiar with this technique, I highly
recommend typing "magic ring crochet" into your preferred search engine, to
learn how to do it. However, if
you prefer not to use the magic ring method, you can chain 2 stitches, and then
work into the second chain from the hook as directed. For example, if the pattern reads: "make a magic ring, sc 5
times into ring..." you could instead: "ch 2, sc 5 times into the second ch from
the hook".
The Pattern
Directions:
Directions
are the same for right and left mittens; make 2. The ribbing band (at the
wrist) is worked back and forth in rows and then slip stitched to form a
tube. The body of the mitten is
then worked in a spiral from the ribbing up to the fingertips.
Make
the ribbing:
row
1.
Using
size G hook and main color yarn, Ch 7 (9, 11) sts. Make 1 sc st into the back bump of the 2nd ch
from hook, make 1 sc st into the remaining 5 (7, 9) sts. 6 (8, 10) sts.
row
2.
Turn,
ch 1 (this is a turning chain, do not count as a stitch), 1 sc tbl into each st
across. 6 (8, 10) sets
rows 3 through rows 21 (27,
31): Repeat row 2, 19 (25,
29) more times. 6 (8, 10) sts in
each row, 21 (27, 31) rows worked, not including the foundation chain).
Hold the ribbing so that your crochet hook is at
the right side of your work (as though you are about to work another row). Take the beginning edge of your ribbing
(the foundation chain edge) and bring it in front of the last row that you
worked. In other words, fold the
ribbing in half and line up the short edges. Your crochet hook will be to the right, and in the row
behind the beginning yarn tail.
Slip stitch these rows together by inserting your hook into the back
loop of the foundation chain and then through the back loop of the stitch directly
behind it (from the last row worked), yo and pull loop through to front of work
and through loop on hook. Repeat
across row. 6 (8, 10) sl sts
worked. Do not fasten off! Turn ribbing tube so that the sl st row is to the
inside. (The sl st row is on the
wrong side of the cuff.) You will
now stitch into the edges of the previous rows.
Make the body of each mitten:
Round 1.
Make
23 (28, 33) sc sts, equally spaced, around top edge of ribbing. (23, 28, 33 sts)
Round 2.
1
sc into each of the next 10 (12, 15) sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each
of the next 2 sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next 9 (12, 14)
sts. 25 (30, 35) sts
Round 3.
1
sc into each st around. 25 (30,
35) sts
Round 4.
1
sc into each of the next 11 (13, 16) sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each
of the next 2 sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next 10 (13,
15) sts. 27 (32, 37) sts
Round 5.
1
sc into each st around. 27 (32,
37) sts.
Round 6.
1
sc into each of the next 12 (14, 17) sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each
of the next 2 sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next 11 (14,
16) sts. 29 (34, 39) sts
Round 7.
1
sc into each st around. 29 (34,
39) sts.
Round 8.
1
sc into each of the next 13 (15, 18) sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each
of the next 2 sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next 12 (15,
17) sts. 31 (36, 41) sts.
Round 9.
1
sc into each st around. 31 (36,
41) sts.
Round 10.
1
sc into each of the next 14 (16, 19) sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each
of the next 2 sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next 13 (16,
18) sts. 33 (38, 43) sts. For Preschool size only: skip to round 16 after
completing this round.
Round 11.
1
sc into each st around.
(Older kids-38, Women-43) sts.
Round 12.
1
sc into each of the next (17, 20) sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of
the next 2 sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next (17, 19)
sts. (Older kids-40, Women-45
sts).
Round 13.
1
sc into each st around. (Older
kids-40, Women-45 sts). For
older kids size only:
skip to round 16 after completing this round.
Round 14.
1
sc into each of the next 21 sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the
next 2 sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next 20 sts (Women-47 sts).
Round 15.
1
sc into each st around (Women-47 sts).
Round 16.
1
sc into each of the next 12 (14, 17) sts, skip the next 10 (12, 14) sts (for
thumb), 1 sc into each of the next 11 (14, 16) sts. 23 (28, 33) sts around hand, not including thumb.
Round 17.
1
sc into each st around. 23 (28,
33) sts.
Repeat round
17 until the measurement from the thumbhole, up, is 2 (2 ¾", 3 ½"). [Approximately 9 (12, 15) more rounds]
For Preschool Size only:
Next round: [1 sc into
each of the next 6 sts, sctog] 2 times, 1 sc into each of the next 5 sts,
sc2tog (20 sts).
Next round: [1 sc into
each of the next 3 sts, sc2tog] 4 times (16 sts).
Next round: 1 sc into each
st around (16 sts).
Next round: sc2tog 8
times (8 sts).
Fasten off with a 10" tail. Using yarn needle, thread yarn tail
through the front loop of the remaining 8 sts and pull tight. Weave in ends.
For Older Kid Size only:
Next round: [1 sc into
each of the next 5 sts, sc2tog] 4 times (24 sts).
Next round: 1
sc into each st around (24 sts).
Next round: sc2tog
12 times (12 sts).
Next round: 1
sc into each st around (12 sts).
Next round: [1 sc into
the next st, sc2tog] 4 times (8 sts).
Fasten off with a 10" tail. Using yarn needle, thread yarn tail
through the front loop of the remaining 8 sts and pull tight. Weave in ends.
For Women's Size only:
Next round: [1 sc into
each of the next 9 sts, sc2tog] 3 times
(30 sts).
Next round: 1
sc in each st around (30 sts).
Next round: [1 sc into each
of the next 3 sts, sc2tog] 6 times
(24 sts).
Next round: 1
sc into each st around (24 sts).
Next round: sc2tog
12 times (12 sts).
Next round: 1
sc into each st (12 sts).
Next round: [1 sc into
the next st, sc2tog] 4 times (8 sts).
Fasten off with a 10" tail. Using yarn needle, thread yarn tail
through the front loop of the remaining 8 sts and pull tight. Weave in ends.
Thumb:
Join yarn to any thumb stitch and make 10 (12, 14)
sc stitches around.
1 sc into each st around until thumb measures 1 ½" (2", 2 1/2") from crotch (about 5, 7,
9 more rows).
Next row:
sc2tog 5 (6, 7) times (5,
6, 7 sts left).
Fasten off with a 10" tail. Using yarn needle, thread yarn tail
through the front loop of the remaining 5 (6, 7) sts and pull tight. Weave in ends.
Optional Star Appliqué:
Round 1.
Make
a magic ring, 5 sc into ring, pull on beginning yarn tail to tighten ring. (5 sts)
Round 2.
2 sc into each stitch around. (10 sts)
Round 3.
[Chain 4, 1 sc into the back bump of the
second chain from the hook, 1 hdc into the back bump of the next chain, 1 dc
into the back bump of the next chain, skip the next stitch from round 2, 1 slip
st into next st] 5 times.
Fasten off with long yarn tail. Use this yarn tail to stitch the star
onto the mitten.
Hey! You just made a mitten that rocks. Give yourself a high-five and then make one more!