Warm hands in one evening. These easy crochet mittens are worked top-down in half double crochet, with a simple thumb opening and a stretchy ribbed cuff. Because you start at the fingertips, you can try them on as you go – perfect for beginners making their first wearable gift.
In this tutorial
What You Need
- Worsted weight (#4) soft acrylic or wool-blend yarn, about 150 yd / 137 m for an adult pair
- 5 mm (H-8) crochet hook
- Stitch markers, tapestry needle and scissors
Abbreviations (US terms): MR = magic ring, ch = chain, sl st = slip stitch, hdc = half double crochet, inc = 2 hdc in the same stitch, hdc2tog = half double crochet 2 together, fphdc / bphdc = front / back post half double crochet.
Gauge and Sizes
Gauge: 13 hdc and 10 rounds = 4 in / 10 cm. Mittens should be snug, so check your gauge after the first few rounds by measuring across the flattened tube.
| Size | Hand around | Stitches | Thumb opening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child (4–8 years) | 6–6.5 in | 21 | 4 sts |
| Women | 7.5–8 in | 28 | 5 sts |
| Men | 9–10 in | 35 | 6 sts |
Free Crochet Mittens Pattern (Women’s Size)
Work in joined rounds: ch 1 at the start of each round (does not count as a stitch) and sl st to the first hdc at the end. Make 2 identical mittens – they fit either hand.
Round 1: MR, ch 1, 7 hdc in the ring. Join. (7)
Round 2: Inc in each st around. Join. (14)
Round 3: (Hdc in next st, inc) ×7. Join. (21)
Round 4: (Hdc in next 2 sts, inc) ×7. Join. (28)
Rounds 5–12: Hdc in each st around. Join. (28) The mitten should reach from your fingertips to the base of your thumb – add or remove rounds here if needed.
Round 13 (thumb opening): Hdc in the next 23 sts, ch 5, skip the last 5 sts. Join. (23 hdc + 5 ch)
Round 14: Hdc in each of the 23 sts and 5 hdc in the ch-5 space. Join. (28)
Rounds 15–19: Hdc in each st around. Join. (28)
Cuff, Rounds 20–25: Ch 1, *fphdc around the next st, bphdc around the next st* around. Join. (28) Fasten off.
Crochet the Thumb
Round 1: Join yarn at one corner of the thumb opening. Ch 1, hdc in each of the 5 skipped sts, 1 hdc in the corner, 5 hdc along the other side, 1 hdc in the last corner. Join. (12)
Rounds 2–6: Hdc in each st around. Join. (12)
Round 7: Hdc2tog around. Join. (6) Fasten off, weave the tail through the last 6 stitches and pull closed.
Weave in all ends on the inside. Pull any small gaps at the thumb corners closed with your yarn tail.
Free printable version
Prefer paper? Download this free tutorial as a printable PDF to keep next to your yarn.
Keep crocheting
Your next free pattern: Easy Crochet Beanie Pattern for Beginners (Free, 3 Sizes). Free easy crochet beanie pattern for beginners in 3 sizes: a stretchy ribbed hat worked flat in half double crochet, then seamed. No working in the…
Free pattern · step by step · US terms
Child and Men’s Sizes
- Child: stop increasing after Round 3 (21 sts). Work plain rounds until the mitten reaches the thumb base (about 9 rounds in total), make a 4-stitch thumb opening, then work 3 more plain rounds and a 5-round cuff. The thumb has 10 sts: work 4 plain rounds, then hdc2tog around.
- Men: add Round 5: (hdc in next 3 sts, inc) ×7 (35). Work plain rounds to the thumb base (about 14 rounds in total), make a 6-stitch opening, then 6 plain rounds and a 7-round cuff. The thumb has 14 sts: work 7 plain rounds, then hdc2tog around.
Make a matching set with our easy crochet infinity scarf and easy crochet beanie.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are crochet mittens warm?
Yes – half double crochet makes a dense fabric. For extra warmth, use a wool-blend yarn or go down half a hook size.
Do I need to make a left and a right mitten?
No. This pattern has the thumb on the side, so both mittens are identical and fit either hand.
Why is there a hole at the thumb corner?
That is common. Work an extra hdc into each corner on the first thumb round, or close the gap with the yarn tail.
Can beginners make mittens?
Yes. If you can work in the round and make increases, you can make these. The front and back post stitches in the cuff are the only new step.
Happy hooking! 🧶 Want more winter makes? Try our crochet Santa hat and the lemon peel stitch.
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