Bao Mittens Gloves Knitting Pattern

Bao Mittens in Berroco Millefiori

What is Being Made

The Bao Mittens are a pair of fingerless gloves designed by the Berroco Design Team. This intermediate-level knitting project creates two matching fingerless mittens with finished measurements of approximately 8 inches around and 8 inches long. The mittens feature a fitted cuff and hand section with an integrated thumb gusset, making them practical hand coverings that leave fingers free for dexterity and touchscreen use.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques. The mittens are constructed using circular knitting worked in the round on double-pointed needles, which creates seamless fabric. The pattern incorporates ribbed cuff construction for a stretchy, fitted opening, followed by stockinette stitch for the main body. A thumb gusset is created using strategic increases that expand the hand circumference to accommodate the thumb, then stitches are divided and held on waste yarn while the remainder of the mitten is completed. The thumb is later worked separately by picking up held stitches and casting on new stitches to close the opening.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Bao Mittens utilize basic knitting stitches appropriate for an intermediate skill level. The cuff begins with 1x1 ribbing (alternating knit and purl stitches), which provides elasticity and a professional finish. The body of the mittens is worked in stockinette stitch, the most fundamental stitch pattern in knitting, created by alternating knit rounds. Increases for the thumb gusset are executed using M1L (make one left) and M1R (make one right) techniques, which are invisible increase methods that maintain the integrity of the stockinette fabric. These increases are worked every other round to gradually expand the gusset area.

Materials and Yarn

The Bao Mittens are designed to be knitted with Berroco Millefiori yarn, a 100-gram skein. The pattern calls for one ball of Berroco Millefiori in colorway #7894 Begonia. This yardage is sufficient to complete both mittens in the one-size design. The pattern is worked on double-pointed needles (dpns) in sizes 7 (4.50 mm) and 8 (5.00 mm), with the smaller needles used for the ribbed cuff and the larger needles for the body. Additional notions include stitch markers to denote pattern sections and waste yarn to temporarily hold thumb stitches during construction.

Gauge and Sizing

Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit. The pattern specifies a gauge of 18 stitches and 24 rounds equal 4 inches in stockinette stitch on the larger needles. The mittens are offered in one size with finished measurements of approximately 8 inches around the hand and 8 inches in length. The pattern recommends checking gauge before beginning to ensure the mittens will fit as intended, as variations in individual knitter tension can affect the final dimensions.

Pattern Structure

Each mitten begins with casting on 38 stitches divided evenly across three double-pointed needles and joined for circular knitting. The set-up ribbing section measures 3 inches and establishes the cuff. After changing to the larger needles and knitting 2 plain rounds, the thumb gusset begins with markers placed to define the gusset area. Increases are worked every other round for 5 increase rounds, bringing the total stitch count to 48 stitches with 12 stitches in the gusset. The gusset stitches are then placed on waste yarn, and 2 stitches are cast on to close the opening, returning the working stitch count to 38. The mitten body continues in stockinette stitch until the piece measures 7½ inches from the beginning. The thumb is completed by returning the held stitches to needles, picking up the cast-on stitches, and knitting the thumb in the round.