Madelinetosh Simply Mittens Knitting Pattern

Madelinetosh Simply Mittens

What is Being Made

Simply Mittens is a classic pair of knitted mittens designed by Janice Lynn for Madelinetosh. These mittens are constructed as seamless, in-the-round projects that work from the cuff upward to the fingertips. The pattern includes multiple size options to accommodate different hand measurements, making it a versatile design suitable for various wearers.

Construction Techniques

The mittens are worked using a bottom-up, seamless construction method, meaning they are knitted from the wrist cuff toward the top of the hand without requiring seaming. The entire project is worked in the round using double-pointed needles, which creates a tubular fabric and eliminates the need for finishing seams. This technique produces a smooth, professional finish ideal for a close-fitting garment like mittens.

The pattern employs a specialized jogless join technique for garter stitch rounds during the cuff ribbing section. This advanced method involves strategic stitch slipping and alternating knit and purl rounds to create an invisible join line where rounds begin and end. This technique is particularly useful for maintaining visual continuity in striped or textured patterns and is a hallmark of polished knitwear construction.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques Used

• Ribbing (K2, P2): The cuff begins with a knit 2, purl 2 ribbing pattern worked in the round for 2 inches, creating an elastic, fitted opening that keeps the mittens secure on the wrist.
• Stockinette stitch: The main body of the mittens is worked in stockinette stitch, the most fundamental knit stitch pattern, creating a smooth, flat fabric.
• K2tog (knit 2 together): A right-leaning decrease stitch used to shape the mitten by reducing stitch count where necessary.
• SSK (slip, slip, knit): A left-leaning decrease stitch that pairs with K2tog decreases to create balanced shaping and symmetrical mitten construction.
• Right-Slanted Lifted Increase (RLI): An increase technique that creates a right-leaning new stitch by knitting into the leg of the stitch below, used for strategic shaping within the mitten body.
• Left-Slanted Lifted Increase (LLI): A complementary increase technique creating a left-leaning stitch, allowing for balanced, invisible increases throughout the pattern.
• Slip stitch (sl): Used throughout the jogless join technique and for edge management, this stitch transfers stitches from the left needle to the right without working them.

Materials Required

The mittens are knitted using Madelinetosh Sock Yarn, a fingering-weight yarn, in the colorway Sigrid. One skein is required to complete the project. The pattern is worked on US size 7 needles for the initial cast-on and US size 2 double-pointed needles (dpns) for the main construction in the round. The smaller needle size creates the necessary gauge for a fitted, well-constructed mitten that will hold its shape through regular wear.

Size Options and Gauge

The pattern provides four size options with stitch counts of 40, 44, 48, and 52 stitches at cast-on, allowing customization for different hand sizes. Stitches are distributed across three double-pointed needles in a balanced manner to facilitate working in the round and maintain even tension throughout the project.