How to Knit Convertible Mittens

Baby, it's cold out there! Mittens are the best way to keep your hands warm on a chilly day, but it can be a nuisance taking them off all the time to use your hands. Flip-top mittens are the perfect compromise, and they’re also a fascinating knit. Let's get started.

Supplies

1 Skein of Kenzie yarn
US 8/5 mm circular needles to work the magic loop or dpn or size needed to get 12 stitches and 19 rows over two inches in stockinette
Cable needle
Scrap yarn
3 stitch markers
Yarn needle
Scissors

1. Knit the Cuff

Cast on 36 stitches, place marker A, and join in the round.

Rounds 1-18: *K1, p1; rep from * to end.

2. Knit the Left Hand

Round 19-21: Knit to end.

Round 22: K1, place marker B, k2, place marker C, k2, [p1, k1] 3 times, [k1, p1] 3 times, knit to the end of the round.

Round 23: Knit to marker C, k2, [p1, k1] 3 times, [k1, p1] 3 times, knit to the end of the round.

Round 24: K1, slip marker B, m1, knit to marker C, m1, slip marker C, k2, [p1, k1] 3 times, [k1, p1] 3 times, knit to the end of the round. 38 stitches.

Round 25: Knit to marker C, k2, [p1, k1] 3 times, [k1, p1] 3 times, knit to the end of the round.

Rounds 26-27: Repeat Rounds 25-26. 40 stitches.

Round 28: Repeat Round 24. 42 stitches.

Round 29: Knit to marker C, k2, p1, slip 5 stitches onto the cabled needle and hold in back, [k1, p1, k1, p1, k1] from the left needle, [k1, p1, k1, p1, k1] from the cable needle, p1, knit to the end of the round.

Rounds 30-31: Repeat Rounds 25-26. 44 stitches.

Rounds 32-35: Knit to marker C, k2, [p1, k1] 3 times, [k1, p1] 3 times, knit to the end of the round. Remove markers B and C.

Round 36: Knit to end.

Round 37: K1, slip 10 sts onto scrap yarn, CO 2, knit to end. 36 stitches.

Round 38: Knit to end.

Round 39: K4, p14, knit to end.

Round 40: Knit to end.

Rounds 41-46: *K1, p1; rep from * to end.

Bind off.

3. Knit the Right Hand

Round 19-21 : Knit to end.

Round 22: K1, place marker B, k2, place marker C, k20, [p1, k1] 3 times, [k1, p1] 3 times, k1.

Rounds 23: Knit to marker C, k20, [p1, k1] 3 times, [k1, p1] 3 times, k1.

Round 24: K1, slip marker B, m1, knit to marker C, m1, slip marker C, k19, [p1, k1] 3 times, [k1, p1] 3 times, k1. 38 stitches.

Round 25: Knit to marker C, k20, [p1, k1] 3 times, [k1, p1] 3 times, k1.

Rounds 26-27: Repeat Rounds 25-26. 40 stitches.

Round 28: Repeat Round 24. 42 stitches.

Round 29: K1, slip marker B, m1, knit to marker C, m1, slip marker C, k20, p1, slip 5 stitches onto the cabled needle and hold in front, [k1, p1, k1, p1, k1] from the left needle, [k1, p1, k1, p1, k1] from the cable needle, p1, k1.

Rounds 30-31: Repeat Rounds 25-26. 44 stitches.

Rounds 32-35: Knit to marker C, k20, [p1, k1] 3 times, [k1, p1] 3 times, k1. Remove markers B and C.

Round 36: Knit to end.

Round 37: K1, slip 10 sts onto scrap yarn, CO 2, knit to end. 36 stitches.

Round 38: Knit to end.

Round 39: K21, p14, 3.

Round 40: Knit to end.

Rounds 41-46: *K1, p1; rep from * to end.

Bind off.

4. Knit the Thumb

Round 1: Starting at the center of the cast on stitches, pick up and k2, remove sts from holder and k10, pick up and 2, and join in the round. 14 stitches.

Rounds 2: K2tog, knit to the last 2 stitches, ssk. 12 stitches.

Rounds 3-11: Knit to end.

Round 12: K3tog 4 times. 4 stitches.

With four stitches still on your needle, cut your yarn leaving a long tail. Using the yarn needle, run the yarn through the four stitches and slip them off of your needle. Pull the tail tight to gather. Tie off your yarn to secure.

5. Knit the Mitten Top

Pick up and knit 14 stitches across the purl ridge on the back of the hand, cast on 22 stitches, place marker A, and join in the round.

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

Round 7-28: Knit to end.

Round 29: *K2, k2tog; rep from * to end. 27 sts

Round 30: *K1, k2tog; rep from * to end. 18 sts

Round 31: *K2tog; rep from * to end. 9 sts

Round 32: *K2tog; rep from * to last stitch. 5 sts

With five stitches still on your needle, cut your yarn leaving a long tail. Using the yarn needle, run the yarn through the four stitches and slip them off of your needle. Pull the tail tight to gather. Tie off your yarn to secure.

6. Finish Your Mittens

Weave in all ends and block the mittens.

Keep Your Hands Warm!

With your new mittens, your fingers will be cozy when they’re covered and free to check your phone or find your bus pass when you flip the tops back.

Did you enjoy this knitting pattern and tutorial? You might like to check out our other knitting patterns and tutorials for some more cozy winter warmers.