Tutorial for knitting fingerless mittens 🧶 (complete guide and Knit-sis tips)

Looking for a quick, useful, and stylish knitting project? Fingerless mittens are just what you need ✨.
They keep you warm while leaving your hands free to tap away on your phone, hold a hot cup of coffee, or flip through a good book. And best of all, they're easy to knit, even if you're a beginner .

At Knit-sis, we love these quick projects: we remember one winter when our grandmother showed us how to improvise mittens “in two evenings,” and we haven’t stopped knitting them since. 🎁

Why knit fingerless mittens?

✅ Quick to make : perfect for a knitting weekend.

✅ Little wool needed : a leftover ball is sometimes enough.

✅ Easy to customize : textured stitches, stripes, jacquard… everything is possible.

✅ Ideal handmade gift : useful, trendy, and full of heart.

👉 Bonus: This is a great way to test out a new stitch or pattern without committing to a full sweater.

Materials needed for your mittens 🧶

▪️ Wool : choose a soft fiber (merino, alpaca, cotton/wool blend for mid-season).

▪️ Needles : straight (if you prefer to sew later) or circular/set of 5 needles for knitting in the round.

▪️ A wool needle for finishing touches.

▪️ Optional : a crochet hook to pick up a few stitches or add a border.

👉 For a soft and quick result, use 5 or 6 mm needles.

Step-by-step tutorial: knitting fingerless mittens

1. Cast on stitches

Cast on between 32 and 40 stitches depending on hand size and thickness of wool.

2. Knit the cuff

Knit in ribbing (1x1 or 2x2) for 4 to 6 cm for a nice elastic edge.

3. Hand knitting

Switch to stockinette stitch, rice stitch, or any other fancy stitch. Knit about 10 to 12 cm.

4. Plan the thumb

Two options:

▪️ Easy (beginner) : leave a simple opening by splitting your knitting at the thumb, then resume by sewing.

▪️ Cleaner : Increase a few stitches at thumb level, knit a small gusset, then leave these stitches on hold.

👉 If this step seems technical to you, don't worry: even a simple opening is perfect for your first mittens.

5. The finishes

Loosely cast off your stitches, sew if necessary, and weave in the ends. Add a contrasting border for an even more original effect 🎨.

Ideas to personalize your mittens ✨

▪️ With stripes → Get inspired by our Strippie Sweater .

▪️ With a fun intarsia pattern → Check it out Splashie Sweater .

▪️ With a twisted retro touch → Like in our Twist & Shout vest .

👉 Each stitch or pattern can be adapted to the mittens. They then become a mini canvas to express your creativity.

FAQ – your most frequently asked questions ❓

How long does it take to knit mittens?

Between 2 and 3 evenings, depending on your pace and the wool chosen.

Is this a beginner-friendly project?

Yes! If you know how to knit ribbing and stockinette stitch, you can knit mittens.

How much wool should I plan for?

Generally, a 50g ball (approximately 100m) is enough for a pair.

Conclusion: your first mittens are waiting for you 🧵

Knitting fingerless mittens is:

▪️ Accessible even for beginners,

▪️ Quick and fun to make,

▪️ And perfect for testing original stitches.

👉 Start with a leftover ball of yarn, and you'll soon have a unique pair ready to face winter.

And if you're looking for a slightly more ambitious but still rewarding knitting project, explore our complete collection of modern patterns.

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