Infant Mittens | Purl Soho

Teeny tiny infant hands, chubby and clenched in a fist, gently jerking about, they are nearly heartbreaking. Seeing those pudgy little fingers wrapped around one of mine, I am constantly amazed and delighted by the difference in scale. And then inevitably, I have the same thought… Little ones make me want to knit little things!

Infant Mittens | Purl Soho

Everything looks cuter in miniature, doesn’t it!?! Plus, with the holiday season just around the corner, knitting little things is more appealing than ever. These Infant Mittens are this season’s go-to project for new moms.

Infant Mittens | Purl Soho

I knit these little gems out of Jade Sapphire’s 2 ply Cashmere, which is unparalleled in softness and loft, plus I doubled it for extra warmth and decadence. The sumptuous cashmere is playfully paired with vibrant hand-dyed Koigu Premium Merino Needlepoint Yarn.

Infant Mittens | Purl Soho

To knit up some of these super simple, super sweet, itty bitty mittens for your favorite itty bitty person, you can find the full pattern, just below. -Laura

Infant Mittens | Purl Soho

Designed by Purl Soho designer, Laura Ferguson.

Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, and #PurlSohoInfantMittens. We can’t wait to see what you make!

Materials

Infant Mittens | Purl Soho
  • Main Color (MC): 1 skein of Jade Sapphire’s 2 Ply Cashmere, 100% Mongolian Cashmere. I used the color Ivory. (One skein of Jade Sapphire 2 Ply is enough for 4 pairs of Infant Mittens.)
  • Contrast Colors (CC1 and CC2): 2 skeins of Koigu’s KPM Needlepoint Yarn, 100% Merino Wool. For the Pink version I used 1155 (CC1) and 1209 (CC2); for the Yellow version, 2100 (CC1) and 2335 (CC2); and for the Teal version, 1500 (CC1) and 3011 (CC2).
  • A set of US 2 (3 mm) double pointed needles
  • A set of US 3 (3.25 mm) double pointed needles

Gauge

28 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette stitch, using MC doubled on larger needles

Size

To fit most 3 to 9 month olds

  • Finished Length from Cuff to Tip: 4 inches long
  • Finished Palm Circumference: 4¾ inches circumference
  • Finished I-Cord Length: 22 to 24-inches long

Notes

For the Main Color, you will use the 2 Ply Cashmere doubled. The best way to do this is to pull one strand from the inside of the ball and one strand from the outside. If you don’t have a swift and ball winder to wind a center-pull ball, never fear, you can do it by hand! Click here for a great video that shows you how! Otherwise, wind your skein into two as-even-as possible balls!

Pattern

Begin with the Cuff

With the first Contrast Color (CC1) and smaller needles, cast on 32 stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.

Place marker and join for working in the round, being careful to not twist the stitches.

Cut yarn. Change to MC (doubled!).

Knit one round.

Next Round: *K1 through the back loop (tbl), p1, repeat from * to end.

Repeat previous round 11 more times.

Knit the Body of the Mitten

Change to larger needles and knit evenly for 15 rounds.

Next Round: With CC1, knit one round. Cut CC1 yarn.

Next Round: With MC, knit one round.

Next Round: With CC2, knit one round. Cut CC2 yarn.

Next Round: With MC, knit 3 rounds.

Shape the Mitten Top

Decrease Round: K5, ssk, k1, k2tog, k11, ssk, k1, k2tog, knit to end. (28 stitches)

Decrease Round: K4, ssk, k1, k2tog, k9, ssk, k1, k2tog, knit to end. (24 stitches)

Decrease Round: K3, ssk, k1, k2tog, k7, ssk, k1, k2tog, knit to end. (20 stitches)

Decrease Round: K2, ssk, k1, k2tog, k5, ssk, k1, k2tog, knit to end. (16 stitches)

Decrease Round: K1, ssk, k1, k2tog, k3, ssk, k1, k2tog, knit to end. (12 stitches)

Decrease Round: Ssk, k1, k2tog, k1, ssk, k1, k2tog, knit last stitch. (8 stitches)

Thread working yarn through remaining stitches.

Infant Mittens | Purl Soho

Do it Again

Make a second mitten.

Connect the Mittens

Infant Mittens | Purl Soho

With the larger needles and MC, pick up three stitches from the inside of the cuff. Work an I-cord for 22 to 26 inches, depending on how lanky your little one’s limbs are.

Infant Mittens | Purl Soho

Bind off. Cut yarn leaving a 6-inch tail and thread it through the remaining stitch. Use the tail to sew the I-cord to the inside of the second mitten.

Weave in your ends and you’re finished!

Infant Mittens | Purl Soho