Last updated on December 26th, 2022 at 01:58 pm
These traditional two needle mittens work up quickly and suit everyone from child to adult. Use up your yarn stash and knit a pair of mittens in a different color for everyone in the family.
Basic Two Needle Mitten Pattern
Sizes: small child, medium child, large child, adult
Materials:
- #5 and #7 needles
- 200 yards of worsted weight yarn
- 1 stitch holder
- 2 stitch markers
- tapestry needle
Gauge: 5 sts = 1″ on #7 needles
Two Needle Mittens
Knitting Pattern Instructions:
Cuff: With smaller needles, loosely cast on 24(28-32-36)sts. Work *K1, P1,* ribbing until piece measures 2 1/2 (3 1/2, 4, 4 1/2)”. Change to larger needle.
Hand: Row 1 (right side): K2, inc in next st, K to last 3 sts inc in next st, K2. Row 2 Purl. Continue working in SS until piece measures 1″ (1 1/4, 1 1/2, 2″) from end of ribbing, ending with a P row. For the last 3 sizes only Work 2 more rows. (SS)
Thumb Gusset: Row 1: K12 (14-16-18), place marker on needle; inc in each of next 2 sts, place marker on needle: K12 (14-16-18) sts. Row 2: and all even rows Purl. Row 3: K to marker, sl marker, inc in next st; K to st before next marker, inc in next st, sl marker, K to end. Repeat Rows 2 and 3 until there are 8 (10-12-14) sts between the markers; end by working Row 2.
Divide for Thumb: K12 (14-16-18), drop marker; K8 (10-12-14)sts for thumb, and then place thumb sts on holder; K 12 (14-16-18) Work even in SS until work measures 4″ (5 1/2 -6-7″) from start of Hand, ending by working a purl row.
Top Shaping: Row 1: *K2, K2tog; rep from* across. Row 2: Purl. Row 3: *K1, K2tog, rep from * Row 4: Purl. Row 5: K2tog across; break yarn, leaving 18″ end. Thread yarn into tapestry needle, run needle through remaining sts. Slip sts off needle, pull yarn up tightly and fasten securely. leave yarn for sewing.
Thumb: Sl sts from holder to needle, purl one row. Work even in SS until thumb measures 1 1/4 ( 1 3/4-2-2 1/4″) ending with a purl row. Next Row: K2 tog, rep across row cut yarn leaving 12″ end finished the same as above. Fold mitten and sew seams.
Editor’s Notes:
These are just like the mittens that I remember my mother knitting for me as a child. Although she also made striped mittens on double pointed needles as well.
When I was very young, the two mittens were often attached by a long chain of yarn that allowed the mittens to be fed through the arms of my winter coat so that one, or the other, wouldn’t get lost if I took one off.
Does anyone else remember this? I’d love to hear your comments and memories!
If I was lucky, I’d get to choose what color yarn she used, although sometimes it wasn’t up for debate as my mum often unraveled old sweaters or other knits to reuse the yarn.
About the Contributor: Spinayarn.com is a family-owned yarn shop located in Edmonds WA, U.S.A.
Teresa Chapman says
I m confused on the Thumb Gusset where it says knit 12(14 16 18) does that mean to knit 12 and the 18 because if i do just 18 i have lots of stiches left
Leslie Lewis says
Help! I knitted a number of sweaters in the past, but feel like a newbie now. I need some clarification: At the point where I divide for thumb and place thumb sts on holder, I have my ball of yarn attached to the last st placed on the holder. Am I supposed totie that off for he time being? Am I supposed to use two balls of yarn to finish the hand in order to work around the thumb sts on holder? I hope you understand my question. Thank you~
CoderGurl says
The instructions say: “ Work even in SS until work measures 4″ (5 1/2 -6-7″) from start of Hand“. Where I’d the start of the hand? Where it switches from ribbing to stockinette? Where the thumb gusset starts? Just not sure where to start measuring
Jane says
The start of the Hand is where it changes from ribbing to stockinette. Measure from there for the size that you’re working on and I’m sure you’ll do fine!
Bailey says
How many would you cast on for a large child if you only have size 9 needles?
Thank you
lenore says
What does it mean ” For the last 3 sizes only Work 2 more rows. (SS) under the Hand directions? This is my first pair of knitting mittens. Thanks!
Jane Lake says
Hi, Lenore, I’m hoping that someone who has knitted these mittens will reply for you, as I haven’t knitted them myself, and I a bit mystified myself. Sorry I can’t be more helpful. 🙁
Margaret says
Say you have sizes 2 4 6 8 10. For sizes 6 8 10, you knit two, (2), more rows.
Louis says
How do you inc? I just got done the rubbing part for cuff. I am not an experienced knitter..so I have no clue what all the abbreviations are.
Christine says
I didn’t know a lot of the abbreviations either or how to increase but there are excellent resources online to decipher the abbreviations. YouTube is what I used to learn how to increase, etc.
It took a little while to fill in the gaps in my knitting skills, but if you research online, you CAN make these mittens and they turn out great!
Teannia says
Nice, easy to follow directions. Thank for sharing your pattern.
jackie says
Your needle size are they mm or us
Christine Maynard says
Sorry I don;t understand what you mean by continue working ss could you please explain so that I can make them for my grandchildren. Thanks You
E says
Did you mean SSK? What does the ss mean please explain. This is my first pair of mittens I am knitting. Thanks
Jane Lake says
The ss stands for stocking stitch in this pattern. Stocking stitch is also known as: Knit one row, purl one row, or it might be abbreviated to St st in some patterns.
Janet says
There’s an error in these directions. Look at row 1 for thumb gusset. Correct directions should be: K12 (14-16-18)………..
Jane Lake says
Oops. You are right, of course. I’ll fix it right now. Thanks for letting me know.
Janet says
You’re welcome. These are nice mittens to work up. I’m making them for my grandkids for Christmas.