Simple Felted Wool Mittens
Winter weather brings up a lot of big questions: scarf or cowl? hot chocolate or coffee? And perhaps the most controversial of all: mittens or gloves? I am a mitten person. They keep your hands warmer than gloves; they are a cute classic shape; and on a personal note, they help with my New Year’s resolution to not text while walking! They are also exceptionally easy to sew for yourself, which is a big plus in my book.
Made with ultra soft and warm Mary Flanagan Felted Wool, my new Simple Felted Wool Mittens could not be easier to sew. They are based on my Felt Mittens with Knitted Cuffs, which have a clean and surprising construction that I’ve always wanted to explore again. This time around I dispensed with the knitting, making this version practically effortless: 6 pieces to cut and 6 seams to sew, that’s it!
I used the beautiful undyed Mary Flanagan as a base and added a splash of color at the palm. This unexpected little burst serves to highlight the mitten’s unique assembly and classic shape that I love so much. -Molly
Update: New Fabrics
JANUARY 2015
I couldn’t resist making a few more pairs in the soft and creamy, warm and cozy, absolutely beautiful Lanacardate Lana Cotta Canberra wool. For the materials list and additional photos, click here!
Materials
For two women’s mittens, size small, you’ll need…
- Main Color: 2 pieces of Mary Flanagan’s Felted Wool. I used Undyed White.
- Contrast Color: 1 piece of Mary Flanagan’s Felted Wool in a contrasting color. I used Turquoise, Blue Spark, Astro Blue, and Old Crow.
- A 110-yrd spool of Gutermann’s Cotton Thread to match the Main Color. I used color 1040.
- A Simple Felted Wool Mittens Template, available for free download here, printed, taped together, and cut out as directed.
Note: If you’d like to make these a bit bigger add a 1/4 inch around each template piece before you cut it out.
Size
Length from bottom hem to fingertips: 10 1/4 inches
Circumference around palm: 7 inches
Pattern
Cut
Cut out all of the pieces as directed on the Template. You will have…
- 2 Back pieces in the Main Color
- 2 Wrist pieces in the Main Color
- 2 Palm pieces in the Contrast Color
Mark the pieces as directed on the Template.
Sew
Pin the thumb edge of one of the Palm pieces to the thumb edge of one of the Wrist pieces. Pin around the curve of the the thumb, stopping at the marking.
Pin the remaining Palm piece and Wrist piece together with the thumb facing the opposite direction, as shown above.
Sew along the pinned edge with a 1/4-inch seam allowance, stopping at the marked point.
Trim the seam allowance at the tip of the thumb to 1/8-inch and cut a few notches in it, as shown above.
Repeat this for the second mitten.
The sewn-together Palm and Wrist pieces will now be referred to as the Fronts.
Pin the Fronts to the Back pieces, right sides together. Fold and pin the Front piece’s seam allowance down towards the Wrist piece on the outside edge.
Pin open the seam allowance at the inside thumb edge of the Front piece.
Sew the Front and Back pieces together with a 1/4-inch seam allowance along the entire arched side, leaving the bottom open.
You will sew the folded seam allowances open at the thumb edge, as shown above.
If you’d like to make sure the thumb edge is sewn correctly go ahead and turn the mitten right side out and look at the point where the three pieces meet. It should form a neat Y shape, as shown above. If it doesn’t look like that, go ahead and rip out that section of the seam and try again.
Once you’re sure the thumb edge is sewn properly, turn the mitten inside out again.
Pin and fold the bottom edge 1/4 inch toward the wrong side, with the side seam allowances open.
Top stitch the bottom hem down.
Cut several notches into the top curve of the mitten, as shown above.
Turn the mittens right side out and you’re all done!
Update 2024: You can explore our current collection of beautiful fabrics and supplies on our page of Sewing Tools + Notions!
Simply gorgeous!
I love their elegant looks while seeming to be very practical and robust!
Do you think these can alternatively be made with broadcloth instead of felted wool?
Sorry, I forgot one more question:
I have very small hands (I usually shop gloves and mittens in the kids section)
So, does your “add 1/4 inch” for bigger sizes work in the other direction too?
Hi Viviane-
They will probably work with broad cloth. My only concern would be that they wouldn't have enough elasticity to get over your wrist comfortably. (This felted wool has a lot of elasticity.) But it would be worth a try. You might want to cut them on the bias?
The only other thing is that you should zig zag stitch all of the raw seams inside of the mitten.
If you have very small hands I would just print the templates at 90 or 95% instead of making them thinner.
Please let us know if you have any more questions!
Molly
Cute!
I used a similar pattern to make mittens. I made two pairs out of coordinating fleece and used one as outeside of mitten and other as inside lining. I made the lining longer at wrist to fold over for a cuff. I get many complements on them.
Hello. I love this mittens. They look pretty! I was wondering how thick is this wool felt? If I make with white felt then I can see my fingers…Thank you in advance. x
Hi Rin-
This actually isn't wool felt. It's felted wool which means that it's a woven wool fabric that has been washed and shrunk until it's felted. So it doesn't have a thickness (eg: 1mm) like the regular felt. We recommend the felted wool because it is very soft and fluffy and flexible.
Thank you!
Molly
I would like the pattern for the mittens. Thank you
Hi Janet-
The pattern is available for free above. If you would like to print it I would suggest using printfriendly.com.
Thanks for getting in touch!
Molly
Thank you so much for sharing this. It was so quick and easy, I sewed up 4 pairs in about an hour! I am grabbing some of that wool to make some for me.
I love your mitten pattern, they are so comfy! I made one pair today, and will make more tomorrow, a bit wider in the palm for me, and I’ll try them smaller for the kids. Love the comment about one longer pair for lining, that sounds good, too. Thank you very much for sharing this!
Thank you Molly!! What a lovely companion for your Quilted keyhole Scarf!!
Julie
I love your beautiful mittens, and would love to make some, but am unable to get the templates to download. Would it be possible for you to email them to me?
Hi Carmen-
Yes! I just sent it to you. Please let us know if you have any more questions!
Molly
I printed these off at 75% and they’re the perfect size for my kids! I am making them out of fleece with a patterned palm, so cute!
Hi, I love the look of these mittens. They look fairly easy to make. I cannot download the templates either, it will not open for me. I was wondering if you could e-mail me the templates. Thank you in advance. cindy
Hi Cindy-
I just sent it to you. Please let us know if you need any more help!
Best-
Molly
Hi! I was unable to download template.. any way you could email it to me? Thanks in advance 🙂
Hello Casie!
We’re so sorry the link wasn’t working for you! It should be back up and available here: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/felted_mittens_NEW.pdf
Let us know if this works! Thanks so much! -Alyson
How should these be cleaned?
Hi Amanda-
These should be hand washed.
Thanks for getting in touch!
Molly
Hi! I love mittens (thanks for the pattern, too!) and plan on making some as gifts. Do you think I could put a little embroidery on the back of the hand? If so, do you have any tips? And could I line the mittens with a stretchy fabric? Or maybe just another layer of wool? Your input is very much appreciated. Thank you for your lovely site!
Hi Erin-
Some embroidery could be lovely! I would trace the template, then embroider on the wool and then cut out the piece and sew it together as directed. I would not line the mittens as they could get a bit bulky but you could wash the wool on a hot cycle and dry it in the dryer to felt the wool more before you cut and sew them if you’d like them to be denser.
Please let us know if you have any more questions!
Molly
This is so cute!
Thanks for the free pattern.
I think when I make these I will line them with lightweight wool or flannel. They would be extra warm then!
I’ve been dreaming about these mittens for a year now, but have never found a local store that sells “felted wool”. Would this material (merino wool felt) be a suitable substitute?
thank you!
Hi Mei-
Wool felt is a bit stiff for this project. But we sell all the materials needed to make this project, including the felted wool and we ship all over the world! All of the materials are linked under the “materials” section of this project and you can also find the wool here: https://www.purlsoho.com/felted-wool-pieces.html
Thank you for getting in touch!
Molly
Can these be made with fleece? I was thinking fleece mittens for my kids.
Hi Jessica,
Thanks for writing in! These can absolutely be made using alternate fabrics. I think that fleece would work very well here!
Happy sewing!
Cassy
I just sewed up a pair with fleece today and they are so soft and warm!
I would love to make these for the Mission. Do you have a suggestion on how to size up the pattern for a man’s hand? Or down for a child’s?
Hi Emily,
Thanks for writing in! At present we only have this pattern available in the one size. I am afraid that there is no simple way to adjust them for different sized hands. You may be able to trace the hand of the intended recipient and either blow up or reduce the pattern that we have using a copy machine until it gets to the correct size.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Do you happen to have a pattern or a way to alter this pattern for children or for adult men? I have made several pairs of these and they are fantastic!
Hello Emily!
Thank you for your question! Unfortunately, we only have this pattern available in one size. You can experiment with blowing up or reducing the pattern that we have to get the size you’d like. An earlier commenter said she printed our pattern off at 75% which gave her the perfect sized mitten for her children. So, perhaps that could be a good starting point for the child’s size. Please let us know if you have any more questions!
Best wishes,
Kumeko
Thank you for posting this great pattern which was easy to access and to print! So kind!
What are the dimensions of a “piece” of felted wool? Just on the offchance I ever see any in a fabric store. Also, would the Mini Felted Wool Bundles you sell be large enough pieces to make these mittens? How many pairs do you think you could make from one mini bundle? Thanks, these look just lovely and I would love to make some!
Hi Emily,
The Felted Wool pieces are 13″x 15″. If you wanted to use the Mini Textured Felted Wool bundles that we carry you would need extra since they are 7″x 8″.
I hope this helps!
Carly
I cannot find the pattern (or the template). Has it been removed? I’ve looked everywhere and would really love to try these mittens!
I’m hoping you can help me. Thank you in advance!
Hi Carly,
Thanks for writing in! The template is linked above in the Materials section but it can seem a bit hidden! I am copying the link for you here: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/felted_mittens_NEW.pdf
I hope that this helps and happy sewing!
Cassy
I have not been able to print off the pattern and directions could you email them to me Please?
Thank youin advance.
Hi Betty,
Thanks for writing in! I am happy to provide directions on how to print the pattern! I am also including the direct link to the template so that you may print it: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/felted_mittens_NEW.pdf
If you’re on a desktop version of the site, you will find a “print” icon in the right column just below the date and tags. If you’re on a mobile version of the site, you will find a “print” icon below the pattern and above the comments.
Follow the easy on-screen instructions to delete whichever parts of the pattern you don’t want to print or save. For example, you may decide to shorten the pattern by omitting certain images or the list of materials. To remove images, click the drop down next to the image icon and change from 100% to 0%.
Please do let us know if you are still having difficulty printing and we will do our best to help!
Cassy
I am not understanding how the M2 mitten back is attached to the M1, i don’t see the instructions for that
Hi Theresa,
Thanks for writing in! I’m not sure which step you are referring to since we don’t refer to any of the pieces by those names, but I think you might be asking when the mitten front is attached to the mitten back. In the sewing instructions, beginning underneath the fourth picture, which shows the mitten front and back pinned together, you will find instructions that state, “Pin the Fronts to the Back pieces, right sides together. Fold and pin the Front piece’s seam allowance down towards the Wrist piece on the outside edge. Pin open the seam allowance at the inside thumb edge of the Front piece. Sew the Front and Back pieces together with a 1/4-inch seam allowance along the entire arched side, leaving the bottom open.” If that’s not the step you are referring to please let us know, but I hope that clears things up!
Best,
Julianna
In the pattern when you print it out there is a Mitten Back labeled M2 and a Mitten Back which says cut 2 pieces and it is labeled M1. On the bottom of M1 it says attach M2 but there is only one piece of M1.???? That is what I think Julianna is trying to say. There is no instructions for this step.
Hi Barbara,
Thanks for clarifying and sorry I missed that the first time! The first page of the template should include two pieces marked M1 and M2, and each piece has arrows indicating where the two pieces should be taped together after cutting them out.
I hope that clears everything up!
Julianna
Thank you so much for this pattern!
Hi,
is pdf pattern not available anymore?
Can’t find it here, but I printed it last year.
Best, Aleksandra
Hi Aleksandra,
Thanks for reaching out! The link to the template is located in the Materials section of the pattern, but you can also access it by clicking here: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/felted_mittens_NEW.pdf.
Happy sewing!
Julianna
I am planning to make these with knit and tough tek on the outside and sherpa lined. If i am to line with sherpa should i make them still at 1/4″ bigger? Or outside pieces 1/4 bigger and sherpa as is on the templee?
Any suggestions with these materials?
Thanks
Hi Krista,
Thanks for writing in! I, myself, have not worked with ToughTek so cannot speak to working with it from a place of experience. I think that if you will be lining these gloves, that it may per prudent to make a mock up using scrap fabric just to think on the fit. Sherpa itself is quite thick so I think that the outer fabric may need to be closer to 1/2 larger to accommodate the thickness. That said, I think that there may be a bit of trial and error to make them work as well as possible. A mock up could help to get an idea of fit but do think about accommodating the thickness of the fabric that you are working with!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Hello, these are so cute, cannot get the pattern to open, could it be emailed to me? Thank you so much.
Hi Marguerite,
Thanks for reaching out! Many of our readers have had this same issue. We have found that the secret is to first download the pattern and then open it. Rather than simply clicking the link and opening the PDF in a browser window, you should click on the pattern link using the “right click” or “control click” option on your mouse or keyboard. This will give you the option to “Download the linked file.” Once the file is downloaded, it should open like a charm! If you are still unable to open the template, please contact us at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to send it to you!
Best,
Julianna
I made these mittens for my mom a few Christmas’ ago. They are her favorite and I absolutely love them, so much that I need to make a pair for myself! I love the style and they are SO warm, despite not being bulky.
Hi Emily,
Thanks for reaching out and for your kind words! I am so glad to hear that your mom enjoys her mittens and that you will be making a pair for yourself!
All the best,
Gianna
I have just made a pair of these using an accidentally felted very expensive hat and an old jumper. Thanks for the directions and pattern, I am very happy with how they have turned out.
You really have a beautiful site. Is this pattern still available to download?
Hi Rachele,
Thanks for reaching out. We’re offering this pattern for free on this page! You can download the template for the pieces by clicking on “available for free download here” in the MATERIALS section. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
I’m mot sure what this step means:
“Fold and pin the Front piece’s seam allowance down towards the Wrist piece on the outside edge.”
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
Hi EMM,
Thanks for reaching out! This instruction refers to the seam allowance that’s sticking out in the middle of the mitten, between the palm and wrist piece of the front. You’ll want to orient this downwards, towards the wrist, so that it stays in that position when you seam the back to the front!
All the best,
Lili
Hello
I wonder if I could use Shearling too make these? Or would this be too bulky .
Thank you
Sue
Hi Sue,
I think you could definitely make these in shearling–that would be so cozy! I would recommend choosing a larger size though, so that your hands can still fit inside, since the inside will be a bit constricted due to the wool.
All the best,
Lili
Thank you so much 💓