The Easy Knit Mittens are perfect for the new knitter wanting to branch out from scarves and hats. These mittens are knit flat on two needles and seamed.
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Design Story and Inspiration for the Easy Knit Mittens
When I was a beginner knitter, I remember wanting to branch out from just scarves and flat projects, but I was totally intimidated by double pointed needles.
I knit a few hats flat and liked those, but eventually I wanted even more challenges to stretch my skills. (Which means I learned how to use dpn’s because there weren’t a lot of patterns knit flat!)
I created these mittens to be knit flat so that someone in my position years ago could make and gift these with pride – without having to learn dpn’s or circulars.
About the Yarn
I am in love with Lion Brand Color Made Easy. It is seriously one of my favorite bulky (size 5) yarns out there!
It works up really well, is easy to care for, is affordable, and comes in a wide variety of colors, which is important to me.
I made these mittens for my oldest son, which is why I picked red!
Easy Knit Mittens Pattern Details
I wanted this to be a unisex pattern, but of course the average man’s hands are larger than the average woman’s hands. So I decided to go with the size that would fit my son, which is the same size as the mittens I would make for myself.
So if you are making these for a woman or a younger boy, they should fit really well. If you are unsure, measure the hand circumference of the intended wearer.
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Easy Knit Mittens
What You’ll Need
Yarn: Lion Brand Yarn Color Made Easy, 1 skein Crimson (size 5/bulky)
Needles: US Sizes 9 (5.5mm) and 10 (6.0mm) straight needles
Notions: Yarn needle, scissors
Finished Size: Approximately 8″ hand circumference to fit average woman’s hand
Gauge: 15 sts and 20 rows = 4″ (10cm) in St st
Stitch Abbreviations
Knit (k)
Purl (p)
Knit front and back (kfb) – knit into both the front and back of the stitch indicated (increases by 1)
Slip slip knit (ssk) – slip first st knitwise, slip second stitch purlwise, insert LH needle into fronts of stitches and knit togther (decreases by 1)
Purl 2 together (p2tog) – insert needle into next 2 sts purlwise and purl as one
Easy Knit Mittens Pattern on Straight Needles
With smaller needles, cast on 30 sts.
Row 1: K2, *p2, k2; repeat from * to end.
Row 2: P2, *k2, p2; repeat from * to end.
Repeat rows 1-2 until ribbing measures 2.5″ from beginning.
Change to larger needles.
Thumb Gusset
Row 1 (WS): P13, k1, p2, k1, p13.
Row 2: K13, p1, kfb in next 2 sts, p1, k13 (32 sts).
Row 3: P13, k1, p4, k1, p13.
Row 4: K13, p1, k4, p1, k13.
Rows 5-6: Repeat rows 3-4.
Row 7: Repeat row 3.
Row 8: K13, p1, kfb, k2, kfb, p1, k13 (34 sts).
Row 9: P13, k1, p6, k1, p13.
Row 10: K13, p1, k6, p1, k13.
Repeat rows 9-10 until piece measures 5″ from beginning (2.5″ of cuff, 2.5″ of thumb), ending with a WS row (Row 9).
Body
Row 1: K12, kfb, Slip next 8 sts to holder or waste yarn, cast on 2 sts, kfb, k12. (30 sts)
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: Knit
Repeat rows 2-3 until mitten measures 9″ from beginning (6.5″ from top of cuff), ending with a WS row.
Mitten Top:
Row 1: K1, *k5, ssk; repeat from * to last st, k1 (26 sts).
Row 2: P1, *p2tog, p4; repeat from * to last st, p1 (22 sts).
Row 3: K1, *k3, ssk; repeat from * to last st, k1 (18 sts).
Row 4: P1, *p2tog, p2; repeat from * to last st, p1 (14 sts).
Row 5: K1, *k1, ssk; repeat from * to last st, k1 (10 sts).
Cut yarn, leaving 8 inches tail.
Thread tapestry needle with tail and draw through remaining stitches. Pull closed. Use tail to sew side seam using mattress st.
Thumb
Slip the 8 sts on hold to working needle and pick up 3 sts from base of thumb hole on hand.
Work in St st until thumb measures 2.25″ from the base. End with a WS row.
Thumb Top Shaping:
Row 1: (K2, k2tog) twice, k to end (9 sts).
Row 2: Purl.
Row 3: *K1, k2tog; repeat from * to end (6 sts).
Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Weave tail through remaining sts. Use tail to sew thumb seam with mattress st.
Finishing
Weave in ends. Repeat for second mitten.
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That’s it!! Today we’ve learned how to work the Easy Knit Mittens – a beginner-friendly pattern for those who prefer a pattern on straight needles (at least for this project!).
Happy Knitting!
Amanda
Hi Amanda,
Thank you for the free mittens pattern. It was very nice of you to offer this pattern during Marly Bird’s 24 Days of Quickies. I just signed up for your newsletter because I saw some of your patterns on Ravelry that I really liked.
Happy Holidays!
Christine W.
So glad to have you in our community, Christine! 🙂
The pattern said to use size 10 needles but the pattern then says use a smaller needle? Confused. What size do I start with and then switch to larger needle thank you
Hi Robin! It says you need both size 9 and size 10 needles, so when it says to use the smaller you would use the size 9 needles for the ribbing 🙂
Question on Easy knit mittens on straight needles:
Thumb gusset row 10 = 34 sts
Begin “Body”
Following directions: k12. Kfb
Slip 8 onto holder
Cast on 2
Kfb
K12
I am coming up with 28 instead of 30.
Can you help
Okay let’s walk through it together. 🙂
You have the first 12, then you add 2 for the kfb = 14. Cast on 2 = 16. Kfb = 18. 18+12 = 30.
I thought kfb was decreasing a stitch. Must be doing kfb incorrectly
Kfb means to knit in the front and back of the stitch, so it makes 2 sts for every one you do. 🙂
Hi, I’m a bit confused when making the thumb, you say “pick up 3 sts from base of thumb hole on hand”. So I slip the 8 stitches from the waste yarn onto my right needle, and then what? I’m a beginner and not really sure what this means! Thank you!! 🙂
Hi! This is the techique where you pick up stitches along the side of a row or somewhere there aren’t “live” stitches. Often it’s written “pick up and knit”.
Thank you for your reply! Does it matter which stitches I pick up – would I do three in a row next to the 8 stitches I have on hold? I guess I’m just confused on where the thumb seam will be and how this knits up.
Try to do them in the area where there aren’t any stitches so that when you seam you will have a nice round thumb. (The part that is next to the hand). It’s a bit awkward because there isn’t a lot of room there, but it works. 🙂
What do you. use to knit your mittens, now that the Lion’s Brand Color Made Easy has been discontinued.
Any bulky weight yarn will do as long as it gets gauge, but I believe Lion Brand’s Hue + Me is a good substitute for Color Made Easy.