Learn All About the Ultimate Mitten Thumb (Extra Credit)

This thumb technique, introduced to me by Brittany Simmonds, makes the world’s most comfortable mitten thumb. Although I go over it in the videos above, I made this extra video specifically to teach about what makes this thumb special.

Bulky Mitten Pattern

Download the Bulky Mittens Pattern

Bulky-Weight Mittens for Magic Loop

Materials

Yarn: 100 g (100 yards) of bulky-weight yarn.

If working two mittens at one time, you’ll need two separate balls of yarn.

Gauge: 3 sts/in. in St st.

Needles: To knit two-at-a-time on Magic Loop: 1 47-inch-long circular needle US size #9 (5.5 mm) or whatever size you require to get gauge.

For knitting one at a time: The above needle will work. You can also use a 40-inch long circular needle in the same size, or two circular needles or 4-5 double-pointed needles.

Notions: Scrap yarn, 4 removable stitch markers, tapestry needle.

Sizes: S(M,L) – Women’s Small (Women’s Large, Men’s Large)

Finished Measurements: Fits a hand 7 ½(8,8 ½) inches around the hand at the widest point; 6 ¾(7 ¼,7¾) inches long from base of hand to tip of middle finger

Abbreviations/Terms

• BOR: Beginning of Round
• CO: Cast On
• K2tog: Knit 2 Together
• K: Knit
• M1L: Make 1 Left
• P: Purl
• PM: Place Marker
• S2KP: Slip 2, Knit, Pass
• SSK: Slip, Slip, Knit
• SM: Slip Marker
• Work Even: Work in same stitch pattern

Notes

These mittens are worked in the round from cuff to fingers.

Cuff

CO 14(16,18) using the Long-Tail Cast-On or any preferred cast-on.

Divide sts evenly for working in the round on Magic Loop.

Rnd 1: *(K1tbl, p1), rep from * around [14(16,18) sts].

Tip: Knit carefully. For sizes S and L, if you have divided your sts evenly, the second half of each round will start with a purl stitch.

Next 7(7,9) Rnds: Repeat Rnd 1 [14(16,18) sts].

Increase for Hand

Rnd 1: K.

Rnd 2: K4, M1L, [k3(4,4), M1L] 3 times, k last 1(0,2) sts [18(20,22) sts].

Thumb Gusset

Rnd 1: K1, M1L, PM, k to end, PM, M1L [20(22,24) sts, 3 sts between markers].

Rnd 2: K.

Rnd 3: K to marker, M1L, SM, k to next marker, SM, M1L, k to end [22(24,26) sts, 5 sts between markers].

Next 8 Rnds: Repeat Rnds 2-3 four times [30(32,34) sts, 13 sts between markers].

Remove Sts for Thumb

Next Rnd: K5, slip these 5 sts onto waste yarn. K to last 4 sts, slip rem 4 sts onto right-hand needle without knitting them. Pass these 4 sts directly onto other end of waste yarn [21(23,25) sts remain on needles].

Tie ends of waste yarn together. Do not pull the thumb sts so tight that you can’t get your thumb through to try on the mitten.

Hand

Next 11(13,15) Rnds: K [21(23,25) sts].

Tip: Place a marker in a stitch on the first round to make it easy to count how many rounds you’ve done since the first one.

Decrease for Top of Hand

Next Rnd: K to last 3 sts on first needle, k2tog, k1. Second needle: K1, SSK, k to last 3 sts on needle, k2tog, k to end [18(20,22) sts].

Next 4 Rnds: K [18(20,22) sts].

Next Rnd: (K1, SSK, k to last 3 sts on needle, K2tog, k1), rep on second needle [14(16,18) sts].

Next Rnd: K [14(16,18) sts].

Size Small Only

Next Rnd: (K1, S2KP, k2tog, k1), rep on second needle (8 sts).

Size Medium Only

Next Rnd: (K1, SSK twice, K2tog, K1), rep on second needle (10 sts).

Size Large Only

Next Rnd: (K1, S2KP, k1, k3tog, k1), rep on second needle (10 sts).

All Sizes

Next Rnd: K [8,(10,10) sts].

Next Rnd: (K1, S2KP, k0(1,1)), rep on second needle [4(6,6) sts].

Finishing – Hand

Cut yarn, leaving a 12-inch tail. Thread yarn onto tapestry needle and thread twice through remaining stitches, removing the needles at the end. Pull yarn tight.

Thumb

Place 9 sts onto circular needle and divide evenly for knitting in the round on Magic Loop. Joining yarn, pick up and knit 2 sts along inside of thumb (11 sts).

Next Rnd: K7, SSK, K2tog (9 sts: redistribute on needles if needed). PM for BOR.

Next 6(7,8) Rnds: K (9 sts).

Next Rnd: K3, SSK, K2tog, k to end (7 sts).

Finishing – Thumb

Cut yarn, leaving a 12-inch tail. Thread yarn onto tapestry needle and thread twice through remaining stitches, removing the needles at the end. Pull yarn tight.

Link Your Project to This Pattern on Ravelry

Worsted Mitten Pattern

Download the Worsted Mitten Pattern

Worsted-Weight Mittens for Magic Loop

Materials

Yarn: 65 g (140 yards) of worsted-weight yarn. Shown: Rowan Lima in 891 La Paz

If working two mittens at one time, you’ll need two separate balls of yarn.

Gauge: 5 sts/in in St st.

Needles: To knit two-at-a-time on Magic Loop: 1 47-inch-long circular needle US size #7 or whatever size you require to get gauge.

For knitting one at a time: The above needle will work. You can also use a 40-inch long circular needle in the same size, or two circular needles or 4-5 double-pointed needles.

Notions: Scrap yarn, 4 removable stitch markers, tapestry needle.

Sizes: S(M,L) – Women’s Small (Women’s Large, Men’s Large)

Finished Measurements: Fits a hand 7 ½(8,8 ½) inches around the hand at the widest point; 6 ¾(7 ¼,7¾) inches long from base of hand to tip of middle finger

Abbreviations/Terms

• BOR: Beginning of Round
• CO: Cast On
• K2tog: Knit 2 Together
• K: Knit
• M1L: Make 1 Left
• P: Purl
• PM: Place Marker
• S2KP: Slip 2, Knit, Pass
• SSK: Slip, Slip, Knit
• SM: Slip Marker
• Work Even: Work in same stitch pattern
  

Notes

This pattern makes one left and one right mitten. The thumb on each mitten is offset by 3 stitches towards the palm in order to make a perfect fit. Be aware of this, especially if you are going to add a Fair-Isle design to the back or palm of the mitten.

Cuff

CO 26(28,30) sts using the Long-Tail Cast-On or any preferred cast-on. Try the Italian Cast-On for an invisible edge.

Divide sts evenly for working in the round on Magic Loop.

Rnds 1-14: *(K1, p1), rep from * around [26(28,30) sts].

Increase for Hand

Rnd 1: K [26(28,30) sts].

Rnd 2: (K4, M1L) 3 times, k6, (M1L, k4) twice, M1L, k last 0(2,4) sts. [32 (34, 36) sts].

Next 7 Rnds: K [32 (34, 36) sts].

Thumb Gusset

Note: Directions apply to both mittens unless specified.

Rnd 1: Mitten 1 (Right Mitten): K3, PM, M1L, k1, M1L, PM, k to end. Mitten 2 (Left Mitten): K until 4 sts remain, PM, M1L, k1, M1L, PM, k 3 rem sts [34 (36,38) sts, 3 sts between markers].

Rnd 2: K [34 (36,38) sts].

Rnd 3: K to marker, SM, M1L, k to next marker, M1L, SM, k to end [36(38,40) sts, 5 sts between markers].

Next 8 Rnds: Repeat Rnds 2-3 four times [44(46,48) sts, 13 sts between markers].

Next 9 Rnds: K [44(46,48) sts].

Remove Sts for Thumb

Next Rnd: Mitten 1 (Right Mitten): K to marker, remove marker, slip next 10 sts onto waste yarn, k to end. Remove second marker when you come to it. Mitten 2 (Left Mitten): K to marker, remove marker, k3, slip next 10 sts onto waste yarn, remove marker, k to end [34(36,38) sts].

Tie ends of waste yarn together. Do not pull the waste yarn so tight around the thumb stitches that you can’t get your thumb through if you need to try on the mitten.

Hand

Work even for 20(24,28) rnds or until work covers the tip of your pinkie finger.

Tip: Place a marker in a stitch on the first round to make it easy to count how many rounds you’ve done since the first one.

Decrease for Top of Hand

Rnd 1: (K1, SSK, k to last 3 sts on needle, k2tog, k1) twice [30(32,34) sts].

Next 3 Rnds: K [30(32,34) sts].

Next Rnd: Repeat Rnd 1 [26(28,30) sts].

Next 2 Rnds: K [26(28,30) sts].

Sizes S, L Only

Next Rnd: (K1, SSK, k2, SSK, k to last 3 sts on needle, K2tog, k1) twice (20(24) sts).

Size M only

Next Rnd: (K1, SSK, k3, S2KP, k2, K2tog, k1), twice (20 sts).

All Sizes

Next Rnd: K [20(20,24) sts].

Next Rnd: Repeat Rnd 1 [16(16,20)] sts].

Next Rnd: K [16(16,20)] sts].

Next Rnd: Repeat Rnd 1 [12(12,16) sts].

Finishing – Hand

Cut yarn, leaving a 12-inch tail. Thread yarn onto tapestry needle and thread twice through remaining stitches, removing the needles at the end. Pull yarn tight.

Thumb

Place 10 thumb sts onto circular needle and divide for knitting in the round on Magic Loop. Join yarn and p/u and k 8 sts along inside of thumb [18(18,18) sts].

PM for BOR.

Rnd 1: K0(1,0), [k2tog, k1(2,7)] 6(4,2) times, k0(1,0) [12(14,16) sts].

Next 13(15,17) Rnds: K (or work until thumb sts just cover tip of thumb) [12(14,16) sts].

Next Round: K2tog around [6(7,8) sts].

Finishing – Thumb

Cut yarn, leaving a 12-inch tail. Thread yarn onto tapestry needle and thread twice through remaining stitches, removing the needles at the end. Pull yarn tight.

Link Your Project to This Pattern on Ravelry