Striped Mittens Gloves Knitting Pattern

Striped Mittens in Rowan Big Wool

What is Being Made

These are a pair of warm, adult-sized mittens featuring a classic striped colorway. The mittens measure approximately 28cm in length and are designed to fit an average-sized woman's hand. They are worked in the round from the cuff to the tip, with the thumb stitches picked up and completed separately at the end, creating a seamless construction.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several fundamental techniques to create a well-fitted garment. The mittens begin with a ribbed cuff that provides elasticity and helps the mittens stay in place on the wrist. Yarn overs and decreases are used strategically to shape the hand portion of the mitten, creating gentle shaping that accommodates the natural contours of the hand. The pattern uses stitch markers to track pattern placement and the beginning of rounds when working on double-pointed needles. Kitchener Stitch, also known as grafting, is used to close the top of the mitten seamlessly. The thumb is worked separately by picking up stitches from a stitch holder and the cast-on edge, then decreased to a point and finished with a threaded yarn tail.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (K) – the primary stitch throughout the body of the mittens
• Purl stitch (P) – used in the ribbed cuff pattern
• Knit through back loop (K1 tbl) – creates a twisted stitch for texture and shaping
• Yarn over (Yon/Yfrn) – creates decorative increases that add shaping to the hand
• Slip, slip, knit (SSK) – a left-leaning decrease used to shape the mitten top and thumb
• Knit two together (K2tog) – a right-leaning decrease used symmetrically with SSK for balanced shaping
• Kitchener Stitch – a grafting technique that joins live stitches invisibly

Materials

The mittens are knitted using Rowan Big Wool, a substantial yarn that creates a warm, durable fabric. Two colorways are used to create the striped effect: Nougat (095) or Floss (097) for color A, and Linen (048) or Concrete (061) for color B. Each color requires one 100-gram ball of yarn. The project is worked on a set of 12mm (US 15) double-pointed needles, which are ideal for working small circumferences in the round. The recommended tension is 9 stitches and 12 rows to 10 centimeters over stockinette stitch using 12mm needles. A stitch marker is also required to track rounds and the thumb placement.

Pattern Overview

The mittens are constructed entirely in the round, beginning with a 14-stitch cast-on and a ribbed cuff. After the cuff is complete, the yarn color is changed to introduce the stripe. Yarn overs create gentle increases that shape the hand portion to approximately 24 stitches. The thumb stitches are then placed on a holder while the main mitten body continues to the top, where decreases are worked in a balanced pattern to create a pointed finish. The thumb is completed by picking up stitches and working in the round until it tapers to a point. All ends are woven in for a finished appearance.