The Little Mitts

The Little Mitts. Perfect for those times when it's not quite cold enough for full-on gloves.
Or when you need your fingers to be free (trying to find money for the parking meter, shopping, crocheting at the bus stop - you get the idea).

I picked up this lovely butter-soft yarn from my recent trip to Yarndale and knew it would be just the thing for a small project.

  I tried a few different stitch ideas before opting for my current favourite - recognise it?

Yep, you guessed it - it's the same one I used for my Enormous, Squishy Blanket!  I think it works really well and shows off the colours, without creating something too chaotic. 

If you fancy making your own, then the pattern is quick and simple and only uses one skein. And if you'd like to use your own yarn, or change the fit - it's no problem-  I'll tell you how to adjust the pattern at the end of the post.  

The Little Mitts - UK pattern (US below)

You'll need:
1x 50g/ 135m/ 150y skein of Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend DK yarn (70% extra fine Merino, 30% silk)
3.5 mm hook
Or desired yarn and hook to match.

Stitches:
ch = chain
dc = double crochet
htr = half treble crochet
tr = treble crochet
sl st = slip stitch  

LEFT mitt (RIGHT in [brackets] - rows 9 and 10 differ only)

Chainless foundation 40 stitches (for how-to see here) (must be an even number of stitches) OR ch 40, join with sl st, ch1, turn, 1dc in each st. Join with sl st to 1st st, turn.
Row 1:  1ch, (1htr, 1tr) in next st, sk st, *(1dc, 1tr) in next st, sk st repeat from *, 1dc in last st, sl st to 1ch, turn.
Row 2:  1ch, (1htr, 1tr) in 3rd st from hook, sk st, *(1dc, 1tr) in next st, sk st repeat from *, 1dc in last st, sl st to 1ch, turn.
Rows 3 - 8: repeat row 2
Row 9: 1ch, (1htr, 1tr) in 3rd st from hook, sk st, *(1dc, 1tr) in next st, sk st repeat from * 8 [6] times, 7ch, sk 7 sts, **(1dc, 1tr) in next st, sk st repeat from ** to end, 1dc in last st, sl st to 1ch, turn.
Row 10: 1ch, (1htr, 1tr) in 3rd st from hook, sk st, *(1dc, 1tr) in next st, sk st repeat from * 7 [9] times, 6dc in ch1-sp, sl st **(1dc, 1tr) in next st, sk st repeat from ** to end, 1dc in last st, sl st to 1ch, turn.
Rows 11 - 29: repeat row 2. Fasten off, weave in ends.

The Little Mitts - US pattern  

You'll need:
1x 50g/ 135m/ 150y skein of Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend DK yarn (70% extra fine Merino, 30% silk)
 3.5 mm hook 
Or desired yarn and hook to match.  

Stitches:
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
hdc = half double crochet
dc = double crochet
sl st = slip stitch    

LEFT mitt (RIGHT in [brackets] - rows 9 and 10 differ only)

Chainless foundation 40 stitches (for how-to see here) (must be an even number of stitches) OR ch 40, join with sl st, ch1, turn, 1sc in each st. Join with sl st to 1st st, turn.
Row 1:  1ch, (1hdc, 1dc) in next st, sk st, *(1sc, 1dc) in next st, sk st repeat from *, 1sc in last st, sl st to 1ch, turn.
Row 2:  1ch, (1hdc, 1dc) in 3rd st from hook, sk st, *(1sc, 1dc) in next st, sk st repeat from *, 1sc in last st, sl st to 1ch, turn.
Rows 3 - 8: repeat row 2
Row 9: 1ch, (1hdc, 1dc) in 3rd st from hook, sk st, *(1sc, 1dc) in next st, sk st repeat from * 8 [6] times, 7ch, sk 7 sts, **(1sc, 1dc) in next st, sk st repeat from ** to end, 1sc in last st, sl st to 1ch, turn.
Row 10: 1ch, (1hdc, 1dc) in 3rd st from hook, sk st, *(1sc, 1dc) in next st, sk st repeat from * 7 [9] times, 6sc in ch1-sp, sl st **(1sc, 1dc) in next st, sk st repeat from ** to end, 1sc in last st, sl st to 1ch, turn.
Rows 11 - 29: repeat row 2. Fasten off, weave in ends.  

To adjust the pattern for your own yarn / fit.

This pattern is very simple and is based on a tube of crochet stitches, big enough to fit your hand, with a hole for the thumb:
Make a chainless foundation (see pattern for alternative) an even number of stitches to fit the widest part your hand. Follow the pattern for a few rows until you reach the desired length for a thumb-hole. In this row, work a few repeats of the pattern, so that the seam is at the edge of your hand, then when you're ready to make a thumb-hole, chain an odd number of stitches and skip the same number of stitches before continuing with the pattern for the rest of the row. On the next row, work around until you reach the chain-space and double crochet (or US sc) one less stitch than the chain into the thumb hole. Skip the first stitch after the hole and continue with the pattern for the rest of the row. Now continue making rows until you've reached the desired length.

I hope you have fun making your own Little Mitts!
Enjoy your week,
Sarah xx