Looking for a cute pair of mittens for a little one in your life? Try this fun pattern for Kid’s Mock Cable Mittens!
Design Story and Inspiration for This Free Knitting Pattern
Last year the adult version of the Mock Cable Mittens was such a success that this year we did a kid’s version! My son recreated the photos from the adult version and we had a fun time with these.
I designed this as part of the 2024 Holiday Maker’s Challenge, where we encourage each other to work to our holiday deadline. There are a few criteria for our patterns in the challenge, which are:
1. Uses stash yarn
2. Is easy to intermediate
3. Is small so it doesn’t take a long time to make (we have a lot of gifts to make, okay?)
4. Is well received by gift recipients
Yarn Options for These Child Size Mittens
I used a fingering weight yarn for this pattern. I usually only use that weight yarn for socks, but I thought it would be super fun to knit mittens with it as well, and I love the way they turned out!
Any fingering weight yarn (category #1) that gets gauge will work fine, so bust that stash and get knitting!
Child’s Mittens Details
These mittens are worked in the round, so choose whatever method that works best for you. The pattern is written to be worked on double pointed needles, but it’s easy to adjust for the magic loop (which is my personal favorite) or a small circular.
Mock Cable Kid’s Mittens
What You’ll Need
Yarn: Yarn Bee Authentic Hand Dyed Tonal in Iron Soot (1 skein)
Needles: US Size 2 (2.75mm) dpn’s or circular
Notions: Stitch Markers, Tapestry Needle, Waste yarn or holder, Scissors
Style: Right and Left Mittens
Gauge: 30 sts and 32 rows = 4″ (10cm) in St st
Size: Child 4-6 years
Stitch Abbreviations
Knit (k)
Purl (p)
Mock Cable (MC) – Sl 1, k2, pass sl st over k2.
Special Stitches
M1R(make one increase which slants to the right): Insert left needle point, from back to front, under the horizontal bar joining the last stitch on the right needle to the first stitch on the left needle. Knit through the front loop.
M1L(make one increase which slants to the left): Insert left needle point, from front to back, under the horizontal bar joining the last stitch on the right needle to the first stitch on the left needle. Knit though the back loop.
Mock Cable Pattern Stitch
Preparation row: K1, *p1, k3; rep from* to last st; k1.
Rnd 1: K1, *p1, MC; rep from * to last st, k1.
Rnd 2: K1, *p1, k1, yo, k1; rep from * to last st, k1.
Rnds 3-4: K1, *p1, k3; rep from * to last st, k1.
Rnd 5: Rep rnd 1.
Rnd 6: Rep rnd 2.
Repeat rnds 1-6 for pattern st.
PATTERN
Right Mitten
Cast on 48 sts.
If using dpn’s, divide sts on 4 dpns as follows:
Needle 1: 12 sts
Needle 2: 12 sts
Needle 3: 12 sts
Needle 4: 12 sts
Mark as beginning of round, join.
Cuff
Round 1: *K2, p2. Repeat from * to end of the round.
Repeat Round 1 until piece measures 2 ins or desired length from the cast-on edge.
On the next round you will begin working in stockinette stitch and mock cable stitch pattern.
Thumb Gusset
Round 1: K2, place gusset marker, k2, place gusset marker. Work to the end of Needle 2 (24 sts from beg), place side marker if working on circular, work in pattern stitch to complete round.
Round 2: K2, slip marker, M1R, work to second gusset marker, M1L, slip marker. The base of the gusset is formed. Complete round in established pattern of St st and mock cable pattern stitch.
Round 3: Work even as established in St st and mock cable pattern stitch.
Repeat Rounds 2 & 3 until there are 16 sts between gusset markers.
Work even until piece measures 2 ins from the top of the cuff.
Body
On the next round, knit to first gusset marker, remove marker. M1R. Slip the next 16 sts (gusset sts) to waste yarn or holder, cast on 2 sts. Remove second gusset marker. M1L, complete round as established in St st and mock cable pattern stitch. [50 sts]
Work even as established until piece measures 4.50 ins from the top of the cuff
Mitten Top Shaping
Change to all St st for top shaping.
Shape top of mitten over the next 12 rounds as follows:
Round 1(Decrease Round): SSK, k21, k2tog, ssk, k22, k2tog.
Round 2: Work even.
Continue in this manner, having two stitches less between decreases each decrease round, until there are 26 sts remaining.
Cut yarn, leaving 8 inches tail.
Thread tapestry needle with tail and graft the mitten top using Kitchener Stitch.
Thumb
Worked in St st.
Slip the 16 sts on hold to a needle. Knit.
Pick up 3 sts from the base of the thumb hole on the hand. Mark as the beginning of the round. Join and distribute evenly on needles. [19 total sts]
Work in rounds until thumb measures 2 inches from the base.
Work 4 sts, k2tog, complete round. [18 sts]
Knit 1 round even
*Knit 1, k2tog. Repeat from * around. 12 sts remain.
Cut yarn, leaving a tail. Weave tail through remaining stitches.
Left Mitten
Follow directions for the Right Mitten to the Thumb Gusset.
Thumb Gusset
Round 1: K20, place gusset marker, k2 sts, place gusset marker, k2, place side stitch marker complete round in mock cable pattern stitch.
Round 2: Knit to first gusset marker, slip marker, M1R, knit to the second gusset marker, M1L, slip marker, k2, complete round in mock cable pattern stitch.
Round 3: Work even as established in St st and mock cable pattern stitch.
Repeat Rounds 2 & 3 until there are 16 sts between gusset markers.
Work even until piece measures 2.00 ins from the top of the cuff.
Body
On the next round, knit to first gusset marker, M1R, remove gusset marker. Slip the next 16 sts (gusset sts) to waste yarn or holder. Cast on 2 sts. Remove second gusset marker. M1L, k2, work mock cable pattern stitch to end of round.[50 sts]
Work even as established until mitten body measures 4.50 ins above the cuff.
Continue with directions for Right Mitten
Finish
Weave in ends.
Block lightly if desired.
Final Thoughts on the Mock Cable Kid’s Mittens
I hope you enjoy this free knitting pattern! I had a blast designing these and am planning more mitten designs in different yarn weights.
Happy Knitting!
Amanda
