Stay-Put Baby Mitts
What makes them stay-put? A generous length of twisted 1X1 rib, a tie at the wrists, and a connecting cord (so even if the wee one does get them off, they’ll stay put to his jacket).
These were born of necessity (and love). I learned my precocious 14-month-old great-nephew simply would not leave any sort of hand coverings in place. Not good in a wintry clime.
I knew more or less what I wanted, and they are indeed a simple shape, so I started with Ann Budd’s Handy Book of Patterns. Problem was, these start out at a size of 2-4 years. So, with this starting point, I tried a few different cast on numbers to ballpark a size for about 18-24 months. The pattern below is for this single size, as my knowledge of baby sizes is sorely lacking. Notes are included for up- and down-sizing where appropriate. Let me know what you think! Also, if perchance anyone else makes these and you find an error, please let me know.
I used a double strand of Artyarns Ultramerino 4, a heavy-fingering superwash merino, on US7 needles to create a dense, warm fabric as well as make these a super-quick knit. But any worsted to aran weight yarn could also be subbed.
Materials
- Artyarns Ultramerino 4, colorway 119 – approximately 30g (115 yds double stranded) or approximately 60 yds of worsted weight yarn
- US7 needles for your preferred method of knitting small circumference items
- Stitch marker
- Tapestry needle
- crochet hook in size to match a single strand of your yarn
Gauge
- 5 sts and 7 rows per inch
Size
About 5.5 inches circumference at the hand and 3.5 inches long from tie (not including cuff). (18-24 months)
Abbreviations
- k = knit
- p= purl
- sts = stitches
- ktbl = knit through the back loop
- sl1 = slip 1 purlwise
- k2tog = knit 2 together
Increase round: I used a make 1 increase, but any increase method would work.
Directions
Cast on 24 sts (multiple of 2)
Place stitch marker and join for knitting in the round
Knit in 1X1 twisted rib in the round by knitting all k stitches through the back loop on every round as follows: *(ktbl, p1), repeat from * to end of round. Continue in ribbing for 2.5 inches, or desired length.
Next row: *(sl1, k1), repeat from * to end of round
Next row (increase round): k all stitches; increase 4 sts evenly around (28 stitches) or number to gain desired circumference
Continue in stockinette (k all sts) for 2.5 inches, or desired length before decreasing
Next row: Decrease 3 sts evenly around (25 sts) or a multiple of 5
Next row: *(k3, k2tog), repeat from * to end of round
Next row: k
Next row: *(k2, k2tog), repeat from * to end of round
Next row: k
Next row: *(k1, k2tog), repeat from * to end of round
Next row: *(k2tog), repeat from * to end of round (5 sts)
Break yarn and pull through remaining stitches. I like to thread the yarn through twice to help eliminate holes.
Weave in ends.
To create wrist ties and cord, select a crochet hook in a size appropriate for a single strand of your yarn.
For the ties, make two lengths of cord by making a crochet chain (ch) approximately 10 to 12 inches long. Thread the wrist ties through the elongated stitches created on the (sl1, k1) row, beginning and ending so that the cord can be tied at the center of the mitt. If desired, make a single square knot at the end of each tie to prevent fraying or unraveling.
For the connecting cord, create a crochet ch of an appropriate length to extend from cuff to cuff through a jacket with some slack for range of movement. On this pair, the cord is about 3.5 feet long. But this wee one is exceptionally long-limbed. Connect the cord to opposite sides of each mitt (based on the wrist tie being the “front” of the mitt).
Block as desired or specified by the yarn’s ball band.
Keep wee hands warm!
© 2008 Jillian Kathleen Neary and sknitty.com. All Rights Reserved. This document (pattern, images, text) may be freely distributed in any medium as long as the pattern, images, text, and this copyright notice remain intact and no profit is made from its distribution or use.
I so need to make a pair of those, I found out my brother and sister-in-law are pregnate! whoo hoo!
Thanks for this, Jillian. I have a baby or two to gift in the next year or so, and these look really practical. Beautifully photographed as well.
Jillian — they are so adorable!
Great idea! My kids went through a period at that age where they wouldn’t leave their shoes and socks on. Hmmm….maybe some tied-to-the-pants baby stockings!
Super cute! Didja use stash yarn too?
Great, pattern, Jillian! And I’m sure they’ll look so very cute on little hands!
EEK! So cute!
So going on the queue…my unborn son needs a pair!
I’ll have to make these for my new niece/nephew when she/he is born this fall. Thanks! They’re perfect!
adorable! thanks for the pattern too.
And, I had not seen Coraline before – lovely pattern. I like it better than the tangled yoke cardi…
So cute – very clever. Thanks for sharing your pattern!
Very adorable. Excellent color!
Hmmm? I’m thinking I’d like an adult-sized pair of these! I’m always losing gloves and mittens!
Great thought! The adult sized idea would be good for a ski mitten in Lamb’s Pride.
those are the cutest mittens ever !!!! great for big people too !!! god you are sooooo talented !!! mom would be so proud of you as i am !!! x0x0x0
oh fun! i can’t wait see to that lil schmoo tackle these!! hahahaha 🙂
brrrrrr……..snow here in indiana !!!!! mittens needed
Thanks for this pattern! It’s getting cold here and my little guy needs mittens.
I take it these are lacking thumbs for infants, right?
I am so making these for my niece’s new baby! The one knitted item that she actually asked for! Thank you
Do you turn these inside when you’re finished? The knit pattern is on the inside of the DPNs as I knit. I am pretty new at knitting so maybe I have been doing the pattern all wrong from the beginning?
[…] of that nonsense aside, I really enjoyed this pattern! I spent quite a bit of time looking for a favorable mitten pattern and I do believe this is […]
When my daughter left for college in a VERY cold part of the country, she asked for mittens.
Since she was afraid of losing them, I crocheted a chain and attached an end to a mitten — long enough to go from wrist, up her arm, around her neck, and back to the other wrist!
She loved them!
[…] Stay-Put Baby Mitts by Sknitty available for free (Ravelled […]
Great pattern! I just knitted them up from stash yarn. They were done in a flash and I’m watching my son try to shake them off right now. So far, so good!
I’ve not practiced with dpns – what size circular needles would work? Length, I mean.
[…] Stay-Put Baby Mitts Designer: Jillian Neary Knitted for: Hobbit Wool used: Patons Fairytale Dreamtime DK Any problems […]
[…] pattern for the Stay-Put Mitts are from Sknitty.wordpress.com. I found it on Ravelry. They knitted up quickly and I really liked […]
Reblogged this on Diane's Thoughts and Things.
[…] HERE for the mitten […]
Reblogged this on reemdn.
This is a great pattern easy to remember and knit. A really helpful gift. (I connected with an I cord.) My granddaughter has used them for two years and wants a thumb now do I made Triangle Thumb Mitts.
[…] Click here for the free knitting pattern! […]