Quick Crochet - Fingerless Mittens for Men and Women

Have you got that box of yarn that grows and grows from all the projects that end with too much excess yarn to throw out but not enough for any other project you have a pattern for? My box of yarn also increases from friends who see me crocheting and figure they can give me all their excess yarn. I am always sorting through the yarn box to see what goes with what, and what can be done. After our most recent cold snap, I decided to try to produce a pattern for fingerless mittens. Fingerless mittens are very popular now as they provide warmth yet leave the fingers free. My daughters and their friends love them as they can still use their phones and other devices while keeping warm.

This is a quick crochet pattern. A set of mittens can be made in a little less than 2 hours. I made my first sets of a solid color, but these could really be jazzed up with stripes of many different colors or using textured yarns. A statement could be made by wearing a "mis-matched" set of different colors or making an all black pair to please the person who likes the gothic styles.

This pattern has directions for ladies and (mens) sizes. It could easily be altered for children just by decreasing the number of stitches and rounds. The main idea is just to have fun and get creative with all that excess yarn.

Using category 4 worsted weight yarn and a size I/9 5.50mm hook - 3 oz yarn for ladies mittens and 4oz yarn for mens mittens.
Ladies mittens laying flat measure 4" wide by 8" long.
Mens mittens laying flat measure 5" wide by 10" long.

MAKE TWO

To Begin:
Chain 25 (27) LOOSLEY as this part will go over the hand and up the forearm. Join with a slip stitch in the first chain to make a circle.
Round 1:
Chain 1. Single crochet in the same stitch as the joining slip stitch and in each chain (or stitch) around. Join with a slip stitch to the first single crochet. There will be 25 (27) single crochet at the end of this round.

Rounds 2-20 Ladies or 2-23 Mens:
Repeat round 1. The tube should now be 6" long for ladies or 7" long for mens.

Round 21 (24):
Chain 1. Single crochet in the same stitch as the joining slip stitch. Slip stitch in the next 4(5) stitches. Single crochet in the rest of each stitch around. Join with a slip stitch to the first single crochet.

Round 22 (25):
Chain 1. Single crochet in the same stitch as the joining slip stitch. Chain 4 (5) and single crochet in the rest of the stitches around. Join with a slip stitch to the first single crochet.

Round 23 (26):
Chain 1. Single crochet in the same stitch as the joining slip stitch. Single crochet in each of the 4 (5) chains and in the rest of the stitches. Join with a slip stitch to the first single crochet. This completes the thumb hole.

Rounds 24-27 (27-32) Covering for the base of the fingers:

Chain 1. Single crochet in the same stitch as the joining slip stitch and in each stitch around ( 25 (27) stitches). Join with a slip stitch to the first single crochet. After all rounds are completed cut yarn, fasten off and weave in the loose ends.

I hope you enjoy my pattern. This is a perfect beginner project as it uses the very basic stitches. Illustrations of how to make these stitches are usually found in almost any book about crochet. These make perfect gifts and can be personalized by using favorite colors. A little imagination also could be used to stitch on beads or use a yarn needle to embroider someone's name on the cuff area. Most of all it's a great project to use up some extra yarn, and help loved ones to stay warm this winter.