Fingerless Mittens
Warm, practical fingerless mittens worked in the round. Keep your hands cosy while still being able to use your phone — a wardrobe staple.
These fingerless mittens are worked in the round from the cuff up, with a simple thumb gap created by chaining over a few stitches. They use only single crochet, so they're genuinely beginner-friendly. The finished mittens fit a standard adult hand — about 18 cm around the palm — and take about an hour each once you get the hang of the construction.
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Abbreviations & Terms Used
Step-by-Step Instructions
- 1
Make the ribbed cuff
Chain 9. Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and every ch across — 8 sc. Chain 1, turn. Row 2: sc in BLO across. Chain 1, turn. Repeat Row 2 until the cuff strip measures 18 cm (or fits snugly around your wrist). Slip stitch the short ends together to form a ring. You now have a ribbed cuff tube.
- 2
Work the hand section
Join yarn to the long edge of the cuff. Work sc evenly around the edge — aim for about 36 sc for an average adult hand. Place a stitch marker in the first stitch. Work in continuous rounds of sc (no joining, no turning) for 5 cm. This is the palm section below the thumb.
- 3
Create the thumb gap
On the next round, sc in the first 8 stitches, then chain 6 and skip the next 6 stitches — this is the thumb gap. Continue sc to the end of the round. On the following round, sc into each stitch and into each of the 6 chains across the gap. You're back to your original stitch count.
- 4
Work the finger section
Continue working sc in the round for another 4 cm above the thumb gap. This covers the knuckles and leaves the fingers free. Work a final round of sl st for a neat edge, or work a round of sc in BLO for a matching ribbed edge. Fasten off and weave in ends.
- 5
Finish the thumb opening
Join yarn to one side of the thumb gap. Work sc evenly around the thumb opening — about 12–14 sc. Work 2 more rounds of sc, then sl st to close. Fasten off and weave in ends. Make the second mitten to match. Block both mittens by dampening and shaping on your hands, then leaving to dry.
Common Beginner Mistake to Avoid
Work the cuff tightly — it needs to grip your wrist. If it's too loose, try going down half a hook size for the cuff rows only, then switch back to your regular hook for the hand section.
Frequently Asked Questions
What yarn is best for mittens?+
A wool or wool-blend yarn is warmest and most elastic, which helps the mittens grip your wrist. Superwash wool is machine-washable. Avoid 100% acrylic — it doesn't breathe and can feel clammy.
How do I adjust the size?+
For smaller hands, reduce the cuff length and work fewer rounds in the hand section. For larger hands, add a few more stitches when you join to the cuff edge and work more rounds. The thumb gap stays the same.
Can I add a full thumb?+
Yes — instead of working just 2 rounds around the thumb gap, continue for 3–4 cm to cover the thumb. Decrease down to 6 stitches and fasten off. This turns them into full thumbed mittens.
My two mittens are different sizes. What happened?+
Tension can vary between the first and second mitten, especially if you take a break between them. Block both mittens to the same measurements while damp — this evens out small differences.
What You'll Need
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- DK Weight Wool Yarn (100g)Wool blend is warmest and most elastic
- 4mm Crochet HookStandard for DK weight
- Stitch Markers (2)Mark the start of each round
- Yarn NeedleFor weaving in ends
- ScissorsSmall craft scissors
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