Fingerless mitts are are really fun thing to knit.

Knit flat, all you have to do is knit a rectangle and then sew up the seam, leaving a hole for your thumbs.

This simplicity means that its possible to be ultra creative with the yarn and pattern within the rectangle.

Fingerless mitts are therefore an ideal knitting project for using up leftover and stash yarn.

About the yarn for the self patterning fingerless mitts

This pair of fingerless mitts were created to use up some leftover chunky self patterning yarn.

The yarn is called Safari and it is intended to easily create an animal print inspired pattern.

This awesome chunky yarn was sadly discontinued by the company who made it, Stylecraft. This is really a pity as it is so soft to knit with and it worked up so fast.

You can see our free knitting pattern for a useful and quick to knit cowl made from this yarn by clicking here.

You can use any plain, self striping or self patterning yarn to knit these fingerless mitts.

Choose 2 contrast yarns

I used a thick and thin yarn as the first contrast to the Stylecraft Safari. It is called Lang Virgina Flamé. This yarn is supposed to be knit on larger needles than in this knitting pattern. However, I tried this and found it really difficult to knit with. Have to say, I don’t like this yarn and wouldn’t buy it again.

Being a massive fan of handspun yarn (you can click here to read about my fave wool spinners), I thought I would love the Lang Flamé far more than I did. It does look nice on this pair of mittens though and the shade of blue is wonderful.

You can see the thick and thin yarn below. Again, you can use whatever you have to hand to make the fingerless mitts. This is a really great stash buster knitting project.

You also need to choose a third contrast to knit these fingerless mittens. I used Ice Yarns wool cord bulky, purely because it was sitting in my stash.

You will be using 7mm knitting needles to knit these fingerless mitts so use whatever yarn you have that will work with this size of needle.

Please read on to see the free knitting pattern for these cute little mitts.

Knitting Pattern for Chunky Self Patterning Fingerless Mitts

Materials and yarn used

Needles – 7mm straight knitting needles.

Yarn: 

Main colour – self striping or self patterning chunky yarn, suitable for use with 6 or 7mm needles, approx 50g.

Contrast yarn – two colours of chunky yarn which is suitable for use with 6 to 8mm needles, approx 50g  

The yarns used for the gloves in the photo were Stylecraft Safari (main yarn), Lang Virginia Flamé (contrast yarn 1) and Ice yarns wool cord bulky (contrast yarn 2).

The knitting pattern

With 7mm needles and first contrast colour, cast on 21 stitches.  

Work 4 rows of k stitch.

Switch to main yarn and work basket check stitch as follows:

1. K
2. *k5, p3* to last 5 stitches, k5
3. *p5, k3* to last 5 stitches, p5
4. As row 2
5. K
6. K1, p3, k1, then work *k4, p3, k1* to end of row
7. Work *p1, k3, p4* to last 5 stitches, then work p1, k3, p1
8. As row 6

Repeat these 8 rows once more.

Switch to second contrast yarn.

Work 5 rows of moss/seed stitch (k1, p1 across every row).

Switch back to main yarn.

Work stocking stitch (knit 1 row, purl 1 row) for 16 rows.

Switch to first contrast yarn.

Work 1 row in P stitch, purling 2 stitches together at the end of the row.  You will now have 20 stitches on your needle.

Work 8 rows in 2 x 2 rib (k2, p2 across every row).

Cast off in 2 x 2 rib.

Make two of these gloves and sew up the side seams, leaving a space for the thumbs. Make sure that the thumbs are on different sides for the left and right hands. I always sew mine up on my arms so I know the thumb holes are in the right place.

Weave in all loose ends.

As you can see, the mittens are a wonderful length to keep your arms snuggly. The design has so much texture, both from the yarns and from the stitches used.

This is a really fun knitting pattern, whatever yarn you decide to use.

Thanks so much for visiting The Knitting Times today.

I hope you enjoyed the knitting pattern for chunky self patterning fingerless mitts.