Pretty mittens to crochet
This pair of crocheted fingerless gloves with a delicate pastel motif are perfect for keeping the chill at bay and are easy to make
DURING THE COLDEST months, keeping hands warm is important, but gloves that are too thick or do not have fingers can prove cumbersome when handling small items. These mittens, which keep the fingers free, provide the perfect solution, being practical as well as pretty. They would also make a thoughtful personalised gift for a friend or family member.
For crochet lovers, they are so simple to make that a pair could be stashed in the pocket of every coat in the wardrobe to ensure that they are always close to hand when needed.
MATERIALS
• Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, 55 per cent wool, 33 per cent acrylic, 12 per cent cashmere (137yd/125m per 50g ball):
• 1 x 50g ball 001 Primrose (A)
• 1 x 50g ball 101 Ecru (B)
• 1 x 50g ball 026 Duck Egg (C)
• 1 x 50g ball 012 Silver (D)
• 3.5mm (UK9:US/4) crochet hook
• Tapestry needle
“And her old Uncle William used to say a lady is known by her shoes and her gloves”
Virginia Woolf, Mrs Dalloway
THE PATTERN Finished size
3¾in (9.5cm) wide and 6in (15cm) long.
Tension
Tension is not essential for this pattern, but each square motif is approximately 3½in by 3½in (9 x 9cm).
Note
Two square motifs will need to be made for this design. Sections of crochet are then added on, worked in rows to form the mittens.
Abbreviations
ch chain stitch st(s) stitch(es) sl st slip stitch tr treble crochet beg beginning sp space rep repeat htr half treble dc double crochet
Square (make 2)
Round 1: Using 3.5mm hook and A, ch 4 sts, join with a sl st to form a ring
Round 2: ch 3 (this counts as first tr), 11 tr into ring, sl st into third ch at beg of round (12 sts). Fasten off
Round 3: Attach yarn B between any two tr sts, 3 ch (counts as 1 tr), 1 tr into same sp, *2 tr between next 2 sts; rep from * to end, join with a sl st into third of 3 ch. Fasten off
Round 4: Attach yarn C in sp between any 2 tr groups, 3 ch (counts as first tr), 2 tr into same sp, *3 tr between next 2 tr groups; rep from * to end, join with a sl st into third of 3 ch. Fasten off
Round 5: Attach yarn D in between any 3 tr groups, 3 ch (counts as first tr) (2 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr) into sp, *1 ch, (3 htr, 1 ch in sp between next two 3 tr groups) twice, (3 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr) between next two 3 tr groups; rep from * twice, 1 ch (3 htr, 1 ch in sp between next two 3 tr groups) twice, join with a sl st into third of 3 ch
Round 6: sl st across 2 sts to corner ch sp, 1 ch, (2 dc, 1 ch, 2 dc) into sp, 1 dc into each st and 1 dc into every 1 ch, (2 dc, 1 ch, 2 dc) into every 3 ch sp, sl st into 1 ch at beg of round. Fasten off and weave in ends
Palm
Row 1: Using 3.5mm hook and D, attach yarn to any 1 ch on the corner of the square with a sl st, 1 ch, 1 dc in each dc and ch, turn (21 sts) Row 2: 1 ch, 1 dc in each dc, turn (21 sts)
Row 3-25: Work 23 rows straight. Fasten off
Left Mitten
Top
Make sure to look at the work with the square to the right and the palm dc rows to the left of the square. The top edging of the mitten will now be worked.
Row 1: Using 3.5mm hook and D, attach yarn to any 1 ch on the corner of the square with a sl st, 1 ch, work 39 dc evenly along square and side of the palm, turn (39 sts)
Row 2: 1 ch, 1 dc in each dc, turn (39 sts)
Row 3: 1 ch, 1 dc at base of ch, 1 dc, *miss 1 dc, 4 tr in next st, miss 1 dc, sl st in next st; rep from * to last st, 1 dc. Fasten off (9 shell clusters)
Cuff
Turn the work around to ensure the palm crochet is now to the right of the square. The cuff edging along the base of the mitten will now be worked. Row 1: Using 3.5mm hook and D, attach yarn to any st on the corner of the dc palm crochet with a sl st, 1 ch, work 39 dc evenly along side of the palm and square, turn (39 sts)
Row 2-4: 1 ch, 1 dc in each dc, turn (39 sts)
Row 5: 4 ch, miss st at base of ch, *miss 1 dc, 1 tr in next st; rep from * to end, turn
Row 6: 1 ch, *1 dc in top of tr, 1 dc in ch sp; rep from * to end, 1 dc in top of third ch, turn (39 sts)
Row 7-8: 1 ch, 1 dc in each dc, turn (39 sts)
Row 9: 1 ch, 1 dc at base of ch, 1 dc, *miss 1 dc, 4 tr in next st, miss 1 dc, sl st in next st; rep from * to last st, 1 dc. Fasten off (9 shell clusters)
Right Mitten
Top
Make sure to look at the work with the square to the left and the palm dc rows to the right of the square. The top edging of the mitten will now be worked.
Row 1: Using 3.5mm hook and D, attach yarn to any st on the corner of the dc palm crochet with a sl st, 1 ch, work 39 dc evenly along side of the palm and square, turn (39 sts)
Row 2: 1 ch, 1 dc in each dc, turn (39 sts)
Row 3: 1 ch, 1 dc at base of ch, 1 dc, *miss 1 dc, 4 tr in next st, miss 1 dc, sl st in next st; rep from * to last st, 1 dc. Fasten off (9 shell clusters)
Cuff
Turn the work around to ensure the palm crochet is now to the left of the square. The cuff edging along the base of the mitten will now be worked. Row 1: Using 3.5mm hook and D, attach yarn to any 1 ch on the corner of the square with a sl st, 1 ch, work 39 dc evenly along square and side of the palm, turn (39 sts)
Row 2-4: 1 ch, 1 dc in each dc, turn (39 sts)
Row 5: 4 ch, miss st at base of ch, *miss 1 dc, 1 tr in next st; rep from * to end, turn
Row 6: 1 ch, *1 dc in top of tr, 1 dc in ch sp; rep from * to end, 1 dc in top of third ch, turn (39 sts)
Row 7-8: 1 ch, 1 dc in each dc, turn (39 sts)
Row 9: 1 ch, 1 dc at base of ch, 1 dc, *miss 1 dc, 4 tr in next st, miss 1 dc, sl st in next st; rep from * to last st, 1 dc. Fasten off (9 shell clusters)
.
Finishing
Weave in all ends. The side seams of each mitten are now attached together allowing a hole in the seam for the thumb (see diagram).
Left mitten
With RS together with the back of the granny square facing up, the top of the mitten should be to the right, and the cuff should be on the left. Using D, attach yarn with a sl st through both layers at the base of the shell row, 1 ch, 5 dc, working just into the back palm material on the right side, work 12 sl sts, working through both layers of the mitten, 12 dc. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Right mitten
With RS together with the back of the granny square facing up, the top of the mitten should be to the left and the cuff should be on the right. Using D, attach yarn with a sl st through both layers at the base of the shell row, 1 ch, 12 dc, working just into the back palm material on the right side, work 12 sl sts, working through both layers of the mitten, 5 dc. Fasten off and weave in ends. Adapted from GRANNY SQUARES WEEKEND BY EMMA VARNAM published by GMC Publications, RRP £14.99, available online and from all good bookshops.