Free Crochet Pattern: Mrs. Murdock’s Mittens
My sister-in-law (who incidentally lives in Michigan, the nation’s high-five) asked me for a no-frills pattern on crochet mittens using worsted weight yarn. Finding one was harder than I thought, so I came up with this one. It is quite simple, worked in single crochet only. I included a crochet pattern for an optional star appliqué, but feel free to experiment with other embellishments, such as crocheted flowers or beading. Or not. Sometimes less is more.
We know that it can be hard to find crochet mitten patterns that are on the uncomplicated side—you have to worry about reversing the pattern, finding the right size for your recipient and many other components that make getting started a chore. With this simple crochet mitten pattern, you’ll be able to craft the perfect pair of cozy, crochet mittens for everyone on your list. Use our handy sizing guide to find a men’s women’s, big kids’ and toddler mittens crochet pattern that’s absolutely perfect for your recipient.
If you’re like many of us, you probably still have a pair of mittens that were crocheted by a family member. Pass on the tradition of warmth and coziness with this crochet mitten pattern that stands the test of time! We highly recommend simpler crochet mitten patterns (like Mrs. Murdock’s single crochet pattern) for beginner and intermediate crocheters who want to expand their skills, but this great pattern is also ideal as a standby for those who have years of crocheting experience.
Materials List
- Size G – 6/4.00mm hook
- Yarn –
- Women’s Size – Approximately 200 yards of worsted weight yarn in color of your choice. In the image I showed a sample using Ella Rae Superwash Classic in 75% Acrylic, 25% wool but Cascade 220 Superwash would be a great option.
- Older Kid’s Size – Approximately 150 yards of worsted weight yarn. In the sample I used Lion Brand “Vanna’s Choice” in “Magenta”, 100% acrylic.
- Preschool Size – Approximately 100 yards of worsted weight yarn. In the sample I used Lion Brand “Vanna’s Choice” in “Fern”, 100% acrylic.
- Less than 10 yards of worsted weight yarn for a pair of stars (optional)
- Yarn needle
Finished Size
These crochet mittens are patterned for preschool sized hands with older kids and women’s sizes shown in parenthesis.
Preschool: These crochet mittens measure approximately 6.5″ in length, including ribbed cuff. They measure about 6″ around the hand (circumference was measured just above where thumb splits off).
Older Kids: These crochet mittens measure approximately 8″ from ribbing edge, to fingertip. They measure about 7.25″ around the hand (circumference was measured just above where thumb splits off).
Women’s Size: These crochet mittens fit most women’s hands. They measure approximately 10″ from ribbing edge, to fingertip. They measure about 9″ around the hand (circumference was measured just above where thumb splits off).
Star measures 2 1/4″ from tip to tip.
Gauge
17 sts and 18 rows worked in sc = 4″ x 4″
Notes
Abbreviations and terms used in this pattern:
Ch = chain
Dc = double crochet (used in star pattern only)
Hdc = half double crochet (used in star pattern only)
sc = single crochet
sc2tog = single crochet 2 stitches together. This is a decrease stitch. (Insert hook into next stitch, yarn over, pull loop through to the front of work, insert hook into next stitch, yarn over, pull loop through to the front, yarn over and pull through all three loops on the hook.)
Sl st = slip stitch
st(s) = stitch (stitches)
Tbl = through back loop. When you sc tbl (single crochet through back loop) you will insert your hook under only the back loop of the next stitch, not under both loops like a normal single crochet stitch.
The back bump: This is also known as the back, backside, or butt of a chain stitch. This is the part of the chain stitch that is opposite of the two loops (the ones that form the “v”) that you would normally insert your hook under. In other words, if you turn the chain upside down, so that you are looking at the bottom of it, you will see a line of dashes. It is under each dash, that you would insert your hook if you were instructed to crochet into the back bump of each chain stitch.
Magic Ring: The star pattern of these crochet mittens starts out with a magic ring. If you are not familiar with this technique, I highly recommend typing “magic ring crochet” into your preferred search engine, to learn how to do it. Interweave also has these great instructions. However, if you prefer not to use the magic ring method, you can chain 2 stitches, and then work into the second chain from the hook as directed. For example, if the pattern reads: “make a magic ring, sc 5 times into ring…” you could instead: “ch 2, sc 5 times into the second ch from the hook”.
Crochet Mittens: The Pattern
Directions: Directions are the same for right and left mittens; make 2. The ribbing band (at the wrist) is worked back and forth in rows and then slip stitched to form a tube. The body of the mitten is then worked in a spiral from the ribbing up to the fingertips.
Make the ribbing:
Row 1. Using size G hook and main color yarn, Ch 7 (9, 11) sts. Make 1 sc st into the back bump of the 2nd ch from hook, make 1 sc st into the remaining 5 (7, 9) sts. 6 (8, 10) sts.
Row 2. Turn, ch 1 (this is a turning chain, do not count as a stitch), 1 sc tbl into each st across. 6 (8, 10) sets
Rows 3 through rows 21 (27, 31): Repeat row 2, 19 (25, 29) more times. 6 (8, 10) sts in each row, 21 (27, 31) rows worked, not including the foundation chain).
Hold the ribbing so that your crochet hook is at the right side of your work (as though you are about to work another row). Take the beginning edge of your ribbing (the foundation chain edge) and bring it in front of the last row that you worked. In other words, fold the ribbing in half and line up the short edges. Your crochet hook will be to the right, and in the row behind the beginning yarn tail. Slip stitch these rows together by inserting your hook into the back loop of the foundation chain and then through the back loop of the stitch directly behind it (from the last row worked), yo and pull loop through to front of work and through loop on hook. Repeat across row. 6 (8, 10) sl sts worked. Do not fasten off! Turn ribbing tube so that the sl st row is to the inside. (The sl st row is on the wrong side of the cuff.) You will now stitch into the edges of the previous rows.
Make the body of each mitten:
Round 1. Make 23 (28, 33) sc sts, equally spaced, around top edge of ribbing. (23, 28, 33 sts).
Round 2. 1 sc into each of the next 10 (12, 15) sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next 2 sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next 9 (12, 14) sts. 25 (30, 35) sts.
Round 3. 1 sc into each st around. 25 (30, 35) sts.
Round 4. 1 sc into each of the next 11 (13, 16) sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next 2 sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next 10 (13, 15) sts. 27 (32, 37) sts.
Round 5. 1 sc into each st around. 27 (32, 37) sts.
Round 6. 1 sc into each of the next 12 (14, 17) sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next 2 sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next 11 (14, 16) sts. 29 (34, 39) sts.
Round 7. 1 sc into each st around. 29 (34, 39) sts.
Round 8. 1 sc into each of the next 13 (15, 18) sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next 2 sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next 12 (15, 17) sts. 31 (36, 41) sts.
Round 9. 1 sc into each st around. 31 (36, 41) sts.
Round 10. 1 sc into each of the next 14 (16, 19) sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next 2 sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next 13 (16, 18) sts. 33 (38, 43) sts.
For Preschool size only: skip to round 16 after completing this round.
Round 11. 1 sc into each st around. (Older kids-38, Women-43) sts.
Round 12. 1 sc into each of the next (17, 20) sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next 2 sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next (17, 19) sts. (Older kids-40, Women-45 sts).
Round 13. 1 sc into each st around. (Older kids-40, Women-45 sts).
For older kids size only: skip to round 16 after completing this round.
Round 14. 1 sc into each of the next 21 sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next 2 sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next 20 sts (Women-47 sts).
Round 15. 1 sc into each st around (Women-47 sts).
Round 16. 1 sc into each of the next 12 (14, 17) sts, skip the next 10 (12, 14) sts (for thumb), 1 sc into each of the next 11 (14, 16) sts. 23 (28, 33) sts around hand, not including thumb.
Round 17. 1 sc into each st around. 23 (28, 33) sts.
Repeat round 17 until the measurement from the thumbhole, up, is 2 (2 3/4″, 3 1/2″). [Approximately 9 (12, 15) more rounds]
For Preschool Size only: Next round: [1 sc into each of the next 6 sts, sctog] 2 times, 1 sc into each of the next 5 sts, sc2tog (20 sts). Next round: [1 sc into each of the next 3 sts, sc2tog] 4 times (16 sts). Next round: 1 sc into each st around (16 sts). Next round: sc2tog 8 times (8 sts).Fasten off with a 10″ tail. Using yarn needle, thread yarn tail through the front loop of the remaining 8 sts and pull tight. Weave in ends.
For Older Kid Size only: Next round: [1 sc into each of the next 5 sts, sc2tog] 4 times (24 sts). Next round: 1 sc into each st around (24 sts). Next round: sc2tog 12 times (12 sts). Next round: 1 sc into each st around (12 sts). Next round: [1 sc into the next st, sc2tog] 4 times (8 sts).Fasten off with a 10″ tail. Using yarn needle, thread yarn tail through the front loop of the remaining 8 sts and pull tight. Weave in ends.
For Women’s Size only: Next round: [1 sc into each of the next 9 sts, sc2tog] 3 times (30 sts). Next round: 1 sc in each st around (30 sts). Next round: [1 sc into each of the next 3 sts, sc2tog] 6 times (24 sts). Next round: 1 sc into each st around (24 sts). Next round: sc2tog 12 times (12 sts). Next round: 1 sc into each st (12 sts). Next round: [1 sc into the next st, sc2tog] 4 times (8 sts). Fasten off with a 10″ tail. Using yarn needle, thread yarn tail through the front loop of the remaining 8 sts and pull tight. Weave in ends.
Crochet Mittens Thumb:
Join yarn to any thumb stitch and make 10 (12, 14) sc stitches around. 1 sc into each st around until thumb measures 1 1/2″ (2″, 2 1/2″) from crotch (about 5, 7, 9 more rows).
Next row: sc2tog 5 (6, 7) times (5, 6, 7 sts left). Fasten off with a 10″ tail. Using yarn needle, thread yarn tail through the front loop of the remaining 5 (6, 7) sts and pull tight. Weave in ends.
Optional Star Appliqué:
Round 1. Make a magic ring, 5 sc into ring, pull on beginning yarn tail to tighten ring. (5 sts)
Round 2. 2 sc into each stitch around. (10 sts)
Round 3. [Chain 4, 1 sc into the back bump of the second chain from the hook, 1 hdc into the back bump of the next chain, 1 dc into the back bump of the next chain, skip the next stitch from round 2, 1 slip st into next st] 5 times. Fasten off with long yarn tail. Use this yarn tail to stitch the star onto the mitten.
Hey! You just made a mitten that rocks. Give yourself a high-five and then make one more!
For even more free patterns on crochet mittens and gloves, check out this free eBook on crochet mittens.
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