purlJam

# COSY FINGERLESS MITTS

A pair of classic fingerless mitts worked in the round from the cuff up, featuring a shaped thumb gusset for a comfortable fit. Perfect for keeping hands warm while leaving fingers free for texting, typing, or crafting. These quick-to-knit mitts make ideal gifts and are a great project for practising working in the round with simple shaping.

**Difficulty Level:** Easy

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## MATERIALS

**Yarn:** Approximately 100 (110, 120) metres of DK weight yarn
- Sample shown uses a single colour, but stripes or self-striping yarn would work beautifully

**Needles:** 
- 3.25mm (US 3) double-pointed needles (DPNs) or circular needles for magic loop
- 4mm (US 6) double-pointed needles (DPNs) or circular needles for magic loop
- Or sizes needed to obtain correct tension

**Notions:**
- Stitch marker
- Waste yarn or stitch holder for thumb stitches
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends

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## TENSION (GAUGE)

22 stitches × 30 rounds = 10 cm (4") in stockinette stitch worked in the round on 4mm needles after blocking

**Important:** Take time to check your tension. If you have more stitches per 10 cm, use larger needles. If you have fewer stitches, use smaller needles.

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## SIZES

**Small (Medium, Large)**

**Finished hand circumference:** 18 (20, 22) cm / 7 (8, 8.75)" 
*Mitts are designed to fit with slight negative ease for a snug, comfortable fit*

**To fit hand circumference:** 19-20 (21-22, 23-24) cm / 7.5-8 (8.25-8.75, 9-9.5)"

**Length:** Approximately 18 cm (7") from cast-on to top edge, adjustable

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## ABBREVIATIONS

- k: knit
- p: purl
- st(s): stitch(es)
- k2p2 rib: *k2, p2; repeat from * around
- M1L: make 1 left (lift bar between stitches from front to back, knit through back loop)
- M1R: make 1 right (lift bar between stitches from back to front, knit through front loop)
- pm: place marker
- sm: slip marker
- RS: right side

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## PATTERN NOTES

- These mitts are worked in the round from the cuff up
- The thumb gusset is shaped with increases, then thumb stitches are held while the hand is completed
- The thumb is picked up and worked last
- Instructions are given for the right mitt first, with left mitt variations in parentheses where needed
- Both mitts are identical in construction

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## INSTRUCTIONS

### CUFF

Using 3.25mm needles and long-tail cast-on (or your preferred stretchy cast-on), cast on **40 (44, 48) sts**.

*Math check: 40 ÷ 4 = 10; 44 ÷ 4 = 11; 48 ÷ 4 = 12 - all divisible by 4 for k2p2 rib ✓*

Divide stitches evenly over your DPNs (or use magic loop method), being careful not to twist the cast-on edge. Place marker and join to work in the round.

**Rounds 1-20:** *K2, p2; repeat from * to end of round.

Repeat this round until cuff measures **6.5 cm (2.5")** from cast-on edge, or to desired length.

*The ribbing will measure approximately 20 rounds at DK weight tension*

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### HAND

Change to 4mm needles.

**Round 1 (Set-up round):** Knit all stitches.

**Rounds 2-11:** Knit all stitches.

Continue in stockinette stitch (knit every round) until work measures approximately **10 cm (4")** from cast-on edge, or about **3.5 cm (1.25")** from end of ribbing.

*This is approximately 11 rounds total in stockinette before beginning thumb gusset*

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### THUMB GUSSET

The thumb gusset is worked on the right mitt on the palm side. 

**Round 1 (Gusset round 1):**
K1, pm (this marks the beginning of the thumb gusset), M1R, k1, M1L, pm, knit to end of round.

*Stitch count: 42 (46, 50) sts total; 3 sts between gusset markers*

**Round 2:** Knit all stitches, slipping markers.

**Round 3 (Gusset round 2):**
K1, sm, M1R, knit to next marker, M1L, sm, knit to end of round.

*Stitch count: 44 (48, 52) sts total; 5 sts between gusset markers*

**Round 4:** Knit all stitches, slipping markers.

**Round 5 (Gusset round 3):**
K1, sm, M1R, knit to next marker, M1L, sm, knit to end of round.

*Stitch count: 46 (50, 54) sts total; 7 sts between gusset markers*

**Round 6:** Knit all stitches, slipping markers.

**Round 7 (Gusset round 4):**
K1, sm, M1R, knit to next marker, M1L, sm, knit to end of round.

*Stitch count: 48 (52, 56) sts total; 9 sts between gusset markers*

**Round 8:** Knit all stitches, slipping markers.

**Round 9 (Gusset round 5):**
K1, sm, M1R, knit to next marker, M1L, sm, knit to end of round.

*Stitch count: 50 (54, 58) sts total; 11 sts between gusset markers*

**Round 10:** Knit all stitches, slipping markers.

*Total gusset increases: 1 original st + 10 increased sts = 11 thumb sts ✓*

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### SEPARATE THUMB

**Round 11 (Separation round):**
K1, remove marker, place next 11 sts onto waste yarn or stitch holder for thumb, remove second marker, cast on 1 st using backward loop method (this closes the gap), knit to end of round.

*Stitch count returns to: 40 (44, 48) sts on needles; 11 sts on holder*

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### UPPER HAND

Continue in stockinette stitch (knit every round) until work measures **16.5 cm (6.5")** from cast-on edge, or approximately **2.5 cm (1")** before desired finished length.

*This allows for the ribbed top edge*

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### TOP EDGE

Change to 3.25mm needles.

**Rounds 1-6:** *K1, p1; repeat from * to end of round.

Work in k1p1 rib for **1.5 cm (0.5")**, or approximately 6 rounds.

Cast off in pattern using a stretchy bind-off method (such as sewn bind-off or standard bind-off worked loosely).

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### THUMB

Transfer 11 held thumb stitches back to 4mm needles.

With RS facing, rejoin yarn at the right side of the thumb opening (at the gap where you cast on 1 st).

**Round 1:** 
Pick up and knit 2 sts from the cast-on stitch at the gap, knit 11 held sts, pm for beginning of round.

*Stitch count: 13 sts (11 held + 2 picked up) ✓*

**Round 2:** K2tog (to eliminate small gap at join), knit to end of round.

*Stitch count: 12 sts*

**Rounds 3-10:** Knit all stitches.

Continue in stockinette stitch until thumb measures **4 cm (1.5")** or to desired length (approximately 8-10 rounds total).

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### THUMB TOP EDGE

Change to 3.25mm needles.

**Rounds 1-4:** *K1, p1; repeat from * to end of round.

Work in k1p1 rib for **1 cm (0.5")**, or approximately 4 rounds.

Cast off in pattern using a stretchy bind-off.

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### SECOND MITT

Work exactly as for first mitt. The thumb gusset will automatically appear in the correct position when worked the same way, creating a mirror-image pair.

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## FINISHING

1. Weave in all yarn ends securely using a tapestry needle
2. Block mitts gently by soaking in cool water with wool wash
3. Roll in a towel to remove excess moisture
4. Lay flat to dry, shaping the ribbed edges neatly

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## ADJUSTMENTS & VARIATIONS

**Length adjustments:**
- For longer or shorter mitts, add or subtract rounds in the Hand section before beginning the thumb gusset
- For longer or shorter thumbs, add or subtract rounds in the Thumb section before working the top edge

**Stripe variations:**
- Change colours every 4-6 rounds for bold stripes
- Alternate every 2 rounds for narrow stripes
- Remember to carry unused yarn loosely up the inside

**Ribbed cuff options:**
- For k1p1 rib, cast on the same number of stitches (40, 44, 48 are all even numbers)
- For a looser cuff, work fewer rounds of ribbing (15 rounds instead of 20)

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## DESIGN NOTES

These fingerless mitts work up quickly in DK weight yarn and are perfect for using up single skeins from your stash. The shaped thumb gusset provides a comfortable fit that follows the natural line of your hand, making these mitts practical for everyday wear. The combination of k2p2 ribbing at the cuff and k1p1 ribbing at the edges creates a polished, professional finish while keeping the pattern accessible for confident beginners.

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**Pattern designed for easy customisation and quick completion.**
**Perfect for gifts or personal use.**
**Enjoy your cosy new mitts!**