Classic Mittens | Purl Soho

Whitney made some. Molly too. And so I had no choice but to join in and make some of my very own wintertime mittens!

Classic Mittens | Purl Soho

Being the last of three kids in my family, I might have a teeny, tiny bit of youngest-child syndrome. Some might even call it a fear of missing out (#FOMO). So after drooling over Whitney’s elegant Gem Gloves and having a mom and daughter sew-along for Molly’s Simple Felted Wool Mittens, I picked up some of Anzula’s wonderfully bouncy, incredibly warm merino-cashmere Cricket and cast on.

Classic Mittens | Purl Soho

With a hearty slip-stitch at the hemmed cuff and a perfectly rounded top, these Classic Mittens hark back to childhood days of bundling up at my mom’s insistence, so anxious to slip out the door and chase after my big brothers.

Classic Mittens | Purl Soho

Just as I used to run after my brothers, my creative eye is now on Whitney and Molly who have me inspired once more. Feel like tagging along? Get started! -Laura

UPDATE: NOW IN WIGEON… AND WITH A HAT, TOO!

FEBRUARY 2024

Classic Mittens | Purl Soho

Snowman-building, winter walks through the woods, or commuting… Wigeon’s 100% fine Falkland merino is soft enough that you’ll want to wear these mittens everywhere, and the addition of a hat pattern makes this set hardy enough for whatever winter brings! Click here to get this the new PDF pattern for free, then pick your favorite color of Wigeon to cast on for this timeless knit!

Designed by Purl Soho designer, Laura Ferguson.

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

Materials

Classic Mittens | Purl Soho

  • 1 (2, 2, 2) skein of Anzula’s Cricket, 80% superwash merino, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon. Each skein is 250 yards/ 100 grams; approximately 250–500 yards required. I used the color Teal.
  • A set of US 3 (3.25 mm) double pointed needles
  • A set of US 2 (3 mm) double pointed needles
  • Crochet hook and scrap yarn (for Provisional Cast On)

Gauge

28 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

Sizes

X-Small (Small, Medium, Large)

  • Circumference around Palm: 6 (6¾, 7¾, 8½) inches
  • Length: custom measurements, adjustments given in pattern

Notes

s2kp (slip slip knit pass): slip two stitches together as if to knit, knit one, pass two slipped stitches over knit stitch and off needle. [2 stitch decrease]

Slip all slipped stitches purlwise.

Pattern

Begin at Cuff

Classic Mittens | Purl Soho

With smaller needles, use the Provisional Cast On method to cast on 48 (54, 60, 66) stitches.

Join for working in the round being careful not to twist stitches.

Round 1: Knit.

Round 2: *K2, slip 1, repeat from * to end of round.

Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 until piece measures 6 inches from cast on edge.

Hem the Cuff

Classic Mittens | Purl Soho

Fold up the cast on edge to the inside of the knit tube and align the cast on edge with the working stitches.

Use the larger double pointed needles to pick up the cast on stitches.

Classic Mittens | Purl Soho

Holding the outside working needle and inside cast on needle parallel to each other, knit 1 stitch from the front needle together with 1 stitch from the back needle.

Classic Mittens | Purl Soho

Repeat to end of round.

Continue working with the larger needles.

Work Body of Mitten

Decrease Round: *K6 (7, 8, 9), k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. 42 (48, 54, 60) stitches

Knit evenly for 2¾ (3, 3, 3¼) inches.

Make the Thumb Hole

Classic Mittens | Purl Soho

For the Right Thumb Hole

Next Round: K2 and cut yarn. With scrap yarn, k6 (7, 8, 9). Join yarn and knit to end of round.

For the Left Thumb Hole

Next Round: K35 (40, 45, 50) and cut yarn. With scrap yarn, k6 (7, 8, 9). Join yarn and k1.

Continue Body of Mitten

Knit evenly for 3 (3½, 3¾, 4) inches from Thumb Hole Stitches or ½ (1, 1¼, 1½) inches less than desired finished length.

Shape Mitten Top

Classic Mittens | Purl Soho

Decrease Round 1: *K1, k2tog, k4 (5, 6, 7), ssk, k4 (5, 6, 7), k2tog, k4 (5, 6, 7), ssk, repeat from * to end [34 (40, 46, 52) stitches]

Next Round: Knit.

Decrease Round 2: *K1, k2tog, k3 (4, 5, 6), ssk, k2 (3, 4, 5), k2tog, k3 (4, 5, 6), ssk, repeat from * to end. [26 (32, 38, 44) stitches]

Next Round: Knit.

For X-Small Size Only

Decrease Round 3: *K1, k2tog, k1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1, ssk, repeat from * to end. [18 stitches]

Decrease Round 4: *K1, k2tog, k4, ssk, repeat from * to end. [14 stitches]

Cut yarn and thread it through the remaining stitches.

For Small Size Only

Decrease Round 3: *K1, k2tog, k3 (4, 5), ssk, k1 (2, 3), k2tog, k3 (4, 5),  ssk, repeat from * to end. [24 (30, 36) stitches]

Next Round: Knit.

Decrease Round 4: *K1, k2tog, k2, slip slip knit pass (s2kp, see pattern notes), k2, ssk, repeat from * to end. [16 stitches]

Decrease Round 5: *K1, k2tog, k3, ssk, repeat from * to end. [12 stitches]

Cut yarn and thread it through the remaining stitches.

For Medium Size Only

Decrease Round 3: *K1, k2tog, k3 (4, 5), ssk, k1 (2, 3), k2tog, k3 (4, 5),  ssk, repeat from * to end. [24 (30, 36) stitches]

Next Round: Knit.

Decrease Round 4: *K1, k2tog, k3, ssk, k2tog, k3, ssk, repeat from * to end. [22 stitches]

Next Round: Knit.

Decrease Round 5: *K1, k2tog, k1, ssk, k2tog, k1, ssk, repeat from * to end. [14 stitches]

Cut yarn and thread it through the remaining stitches.

For Large Size Only

Decrease Round 3: *K1, k2tog, k3 (4, 5), ssk, k1 (2, 3), k2tog, k3 (4, 5),  ssk, repeat from * to end. [24 (30, 36) stitches]

Next Round: Knit.

Decrease Round 4: *K1, k2tog, k4, ssk, k1, k2tog, k4, ssk, repeat from * to end. [28 stitches]

Next Round: Knit.

Decrease Round 5: *K1, k2tog, k3, s2kp, k3, ssk, repeat from * to end. [20 stitches]

Next Round: Knit.

Decrease Round 6: *K1, k2tog, k5, ssk, repeat from * to end. [16 stitches]

Decrease Round 7: *K1, k2tog, k3, ssk, repeat from * to end. [12 stitches]

Cut yarn and thread it through the remaining stitches.

Pick up for the Thumb

Classic Mittens | Purl Soho

Slip the 6 (7, 8, 9) stitches below the Thumb Hole scrap yarn onto a double pointed needle.

Slip the  6 (7, 8, 9) stitches above the scrap yarn onto another double pointed needle.

Classic Mittens | Purl Soho

Remove the scrap yarn.

Next Round: Joining yarn, knit lower 6 (7, 8, 9) stitches, pick up 1 stitch, knit upper 6 (7, 8, 9) stitches, pick up 1 stitch, place marker and join for working in round. 14 (16, 18, 20) stitches

Classic Mittens | Purl Soho

Knit evenly for 2 (2, 2¼, 2½) inches or ¼ inch less than desired length.

Decrease Round: *K1, k2tog, k2 (3, 4, 5), ssk, repeat from * to end of round. 10 (12, 14, 16) stitches

For XSmall and Small Sizes Only

Cut yarn and thread through remaining stitches.

For Medium (Large) Sizes Only

Decrease Round: *K1, k2tog, k2 (3), ssk, repeat from * to end of round. 10 (12) stitches

Cut yarn and thread it through the remaining stitches.

Finish

Weave in the ends, gently block your mittens and you’re done!