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Cumulus Mittens
Knit in our dreamy, quick-knitting Pouf yarn, our Cumulus Mittens are irresistibly soft, like dipping your hands into a puffy cloud and drawing them back out wrapped in warm, downy fleece. You just need a ball or two of Pouf to knit this pattern in any size, for everyone from toddlers to grown-ups!
You knit the Cumulus Mittens in the round starting at the ribbed cuffs—extra thick and warm thanks to Pouf’s airy spin—then knit the rest of the mittens in stockinette stitch. You’ll make easy increases to create the thumb gusset, then place the thumb stitches on hold to finish knitting the palm. You shape the mitten tip with two spokes of decreases, but using such a lofty yarn means you don’t need to taper the thumb. Just cinch the top closed when it’s long enough!
Every ball of Pouf is a jumbo nimbus of fluffy fun—incredibly light, wonderfully soft, and a pure delight to knit. This chunky-bulky to super bulky-weight yarn is literally spun around air, made with an innovative technique that whips a mix of 50% alpaca and 50% fine highland wool into a floaty strand with a hollow core. That cushion of air at the center and a lush, foggy halo on the surface combine to make Pouf uniquely insulating… Perfect for toasty warm mittens!
Pouf‘s palette of 30 gorgeous colors will put your head in the clouds, including the luminous sunset colors we chose for our Cumulus Mittens: Pink Bisque, Peony Pink, and Cork Tree. You’ll just need one bountiful 100-gram ball for all but the largest mitten size!
A one-ball project in a beautiful yarn, and all easy knitting? You won’t have to look hard for the silver lining here. Pick your favorite color of Pouf and cast on for a beautiful pair of Cumulus Mittens!
Yarn lovers, if you adore the yarn used in this project, you’ll love exploring all of our other yarn collections! Discover over 55 thoughtfully designed yarns in nearly every natural fiber and in every spectacular color you can imagine. Only available here at Purl Soho’s online yarn store, where every skein is created with care and your creativity in mind!
Pattern designed and written by Purl Soho designer, Gianna Mueller. See even more of Gianna’s work on her Instagram!
Story written by Andrea Lotz for Purl Soho.
Want to print this pattern? On desktop, find the “print” icon in the right margin, and on mobile, scroll to the end of the pattern for it. Use the on-screen instructions to remove anything you don’t want to print!
Materials
- 1 (1, 1, 2) balls of Purl Soho’s Pouf, 50% alpaca and 50% Andean highland wool. Each ball of this chunky-bulky to super bulky-weight yarn is 108 yards/ 100 grams; approximately 70 (85, 100, 120) total yards required. We used the colors Peony Pink, Pink Bisque, and Cork Tree.
- A set of US 10 (6 mm) double pointed needles OR US 10, 32-inch circular knitting needles for Magic Loop
- Stitch markers, including one unique
- Stitch holders or scrap yarn
GAUGE
13 stitches and 21 rounds = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
SIZES
Toddler/Kid (Adult Small, Adult Medium, Adult Large)
- Finished Circumference at Palm: 6¾ (7½, 8, 9¼) inches
- Finished Length from Cuff to Tip: 10 (11½, 11¾, 13¼) inches, with instructions to modify
SAMPLES: The Peony Pink mittens are the Toddler/Kid size, and the Pink Bisque and Cork Tree mittens are the Adult Small size.
NOTES
DOUBLE POINTED NEEDLES OR MAGIC LOOP
This pattern includes instructions for working on either double pointed needles or on long circular needles, using the Magic Loop method. We have tutorials for both techniques, so just pick the approach you prefer!
For more help, visit our How To Knit With Double Pointed Needles Tutorial and our Magic Loop Tutorial.
PATTERN
CUFF
Cast on 22 (24, 26, 30) stitches, dividing the stitches among 4 double pointed needles or arranging them on circular needles for Magic Loop (see Notes). We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Place unique marker and join for working in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches.
Round 1: *K1, p1, repeat from * to end of round.
Repeat Round 1 until piece measures 2 (2½, 2½, 3) inches from cast-on edge.
WRIST
Work in stockinette stitch, knitting every round, until piece measures approximately 3¾ (4, 4, 4¼) inches from cast-on edge.
GUSSET
Set-Up Round: K11 (12, 13, 15), place marker (pm), yarn over (yo), pm, knit to end of round. [23 (25, 27, 31) stitches]
Round 1: Knit to next marker, slip marker (sm), knit 1 through the back loop (k1 tbl), sm, knit to end of round.
Round 2: Knit to end of round, slipping markers as you come to them.
Round 3: Knit to next marker, sm, yo, knit to next marker, yo, sm, knit to end of round. [2 stitches increased]
Round 4: Knit to next marker, sm, k1 tbl, knit to one stitch before next marker, k1 tbl, sm, knit to end of round.
Round 5: Knit to end of round, slipping markers as you come to them.
Repeat Rounds 3–5 one (2, 2, 3) more time(s). [27 (31, 33, 39) stitches]
Next Round: Knit to next marker, remove marker, slip next 5 (7, 7, 9) stitches onto stitch holder or scrap yarn without working, remove marker, and joining two sides of Gusset together, knit to end of round. [5 (7, 7, 9) stitches on hold for Thumb; 22 (24, 26, 30) stitches on needles for Palm]
PALM
Continue in stockinette stitch in the round until piece measures approximately 3 (3½, 3¾, 4) inches from end of Gusset, or until piece measures 1¼ (1½, 1½, 2) inch(es) less than desired total length.
TOP OF MITTEN
Set-Up Round: K11 (12, 13, 15), pm, knit to end of round.
Round 1: [Slip slip knit (ssk), knit to two stitches before next marker, knit 2 together (k2tog), sm] 2 times. [4 stitches decreased]
Round 2: Knit to end of round.
Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 one (1, 1, 2) more time(s). [14 (16, 18, 18) stitches remain]
Repeat Round 1 two (3, 3, 3) more times. [6 (4, 6, 6) stitches remain]
Cut yarn, leaving an 8-inch tail. Thread tail onto a tapestry needle and draw through remaining stitches. Pull taut and bring needle to inside of Mitten to weave in tail.
THUMB
Place 5 (7, 7, 9) Thumb stitches onto 2 double pointed needles or long circulars.
Joining yarn…
Set-Up Round: K5 (7, 7, 9), then pick up and knit 1 (1, 1, 2) stitch(es) from Palm at base of Thumb. [6 (8, 8, 11) total stitches]
Place unique marker and join for working in the round,
Continue in stockinette stitch until Thumb measures 2 (2½, 2¾, 3) inches, or to desired Thumb length.
Cut yarn, leaving an 8-inch tail. Thread tail onto a tapestry needle and draw through remaining stitches. Pull taut and bring needle to inside of Thumb to weave in tail.
FINISHING
Weave in ends.
Make a second Mitten, and block both as desired.
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho. We can’t wait to see what you make!
LEARN ABOUT POUF + ALL OUR BEAUTIFUL YARNS
Pouf makes this knitting pattern feather-light and soft as a kitten! This very special yarn is made by spinning a fluffy 50/50 mix of alpaca and wool into a hollow strand that traps a cushion of air inside, making it toasty warm and incredibly lofty. You’ll also love how it knits up into a gorgeous, textured fabric, thanks to its slightly thick-and-thin spin. Cast on with this big, beautiful ball of fun… 100 grams gives you a lot of yarn for a super bulky-weight yarn, so you’ll go far with a few!
More Free Knitting Patterns
- Be sure to explore our growing collection of Pouf knitting patterns!
More Super Bulky-Weight Yarns
- Shop our entire collection of super bulky-weight yarns
- If you want to use a different yarn, be sure to take the time to get the correct gauge. Need help? Check our All About Gauge Tutorial, our Yarn Substitution article, and our Complete Guide To Yarn for lots of helpful information.
More Yarns With Similar Fibers
- Shop alpaca yarn
- Shop wool yarn
Looking for more inspiration? Explore all of our knitting patterns (including tons of free knitting patterns) and knitting tutorials, buy one of our many knitting kits and yarn bundles, and shop for beautiful yarn. We have over 35 gorgeous natural fiber yarns in 100’s of magnificent colors, designed to bring integrity, beauty, and joy to your next knitting project and only available at Purl Soho!
I’d like access to all your knitting patterns.
Hi there!
Thank you for reaching out! We offer a wide selection of both free and paid knitting patterns on our website.
Many of our patterns are available at no cost in the Create section of our site, and others are available for purchase as downloadable PDFs. You’re welcome to browse and download any free patterns anytime, and purchase individual paid patterns as you like.
If you’re looking for something specific, we’d be happy to help point you in the right direction!
Warmly,
Megan
Hello Purl Soho! Could these mittens be made with your Gentle Giant? Thanks!
Hi Stefanie!
Thank you so much for your question! Gentle Giant is a bit thicker than Pouf, so it wouldn’t be a great substitute for this mitten pattern. The gauge difference would make the mittens come out much too large and bulky. If you’re looking for an alternative, Super Soft Merino could work with some careful gauge swatching. Just keep in mind that since it’s a single-ply yarn, it may be more prone to pilling over time.
Please feel free to reach out if you’d like help choosing another option or dialing in your gauge. We’re always happy to help!
Warmly,
Megan
Thanks, Megan!
Not to beat a dead horse, but what if I made the smallest toddler/kid size mittens, might they turn out like a big warm fuzzy adult large?
I bought a bunch of your gentle giant on sale before you phased out many colors and always looking for a good project to use it up!
In fact, I was thinking of using some gentle giant for a cardigan sweater but thought that the single-ply might cause it to wear poorly with pilling. What do you think of knitting it with a strand of your paintbrush mohair or tussock? could even try that for these mittens 🙂
Thank you!
Hi Stefanie!
Great questions! Knitting the smallest mitten size in Gentle Giant could possibly work out to something closer to an adult size, since it’s such a bulky yarn. The only thing to keep in mind is that the fabric will be much thicker and less flexible, so the fit may feel a bit more structured than the original pattern intended. But it could be perfect for a cozy, oversized mitten!
For a cardigan, you’re right that a single-ply like Gentle Giant can be more prone to pilling, especially in high-friction areas. Holding it together with a strand of Paintbrush or Tussock is a great idea! That extra strand can add strength, reduce pilling, and give the fabric a beautiful halo and depth.
It’s definitely worth swatching to see how you like the fabric and gauge. Have fun experimenting!
Warmly,
Megan
Hello! What a fabulous pattern and yarn! I am wondering if this pattern could be easily adapted to leave the top and the thumb open for more of a hand warmer?
Hi Christy!
Thank you so much for writing in! We’re so glad you like the pattern and yarn!
Yes, you can absolutely adapt this into a hand warmer. You can simply work the mitten as written and then stop early for both the hand and the thumb, binding off before the fingertips and thumb tip. For the hand, you can knit to just below the fingers (or wherever you’d like the opening), then bind off loosely. For the thumb, work only a few rounds (or skip it entirely, depending on the look you want) and bind off there as well. You may also want to use a stretchy bind off so the openings stay comfortable. It’s a very straightforward modification, and a great way to customize the pattern!
Happy knitting!
Megan
Could I use flexi flip needles instead of magic loop? I find them easier to work with, but haven’t used size 10 ones yet. Thanks!
Hi Debby!
Thank you for your question! Yes, you can absolutely use Flexi Flips for this project. Whatever method feels most comfortable for you is perfect. As long as you’re able to work a small circumference in the round, Flexi Flips will work just as well as Magic Loop or DPNs.
Happy knitting!
Megan
Does the yarn Pouf stretch and lose shape in a completed pattern? Alpaca is nice to work with but if used alone is disappointing.
Hi Florence!
Thank you for your question! Pouf is a 50/50 blend of alpaca and wool, and that wool content really helps the yarn hold its shape and spring back. It also has a very light, airy construction, so it doesn’t tend to feel heavy or pull itself out of shape the way some denser alpaca yarns can. So while it has the softness of alpaca, it’s much more stable and resilient thanks to the wool blend. I hope this helps!
Warmly,
Megan
Hi I’ve started this but have come to the decreases and am a bit confused as to where the markers should be since they were removed when I transferred the thumb stitches to the stitch holder as per your instructions. Can you please provide any guidance?
Hi Liza!
Thanks for writing in! After you transfer the thumb stitches to a holder, you’ll place a new marker for the Top of Mitten section. For the Set-Up Round, knit 11 (12, 13, 15) stitches and place a marker. This divides the palm in half. The decreases then happen on either side of the markers, twice per round. Let us know if anything feels unclear!
Warmly,
Megan
Hi,
I’m having trouble w/ the below portion of the mitten pattern:
Round 1: [Slip slip knit (ssk), knit to two stitches before next marker, knit 2 together (k2tog), sm] 2 times. [4 stitches decreased]
Round 2: Knit to end of round.
When I done w/ the 1st k2tog, sm, do I SSK after the marker is slipped? Where does round 2 come in?
Hi Kathy,
Thank you for your questions! Yes, you’ve got the right idea. After you finish the first repeat and slip the marker, you immediately begin the second repeat, which starts with ssk. So you will ssk right after slipping the marker. In other words, you are working that whole bracketed instruction two times around the mitten, with each repeat decreasing 2 stitches (for a total of 4 stitches decreased in the round).
Round 2 is simply worked after completing the entire decrease round—just knit all stitches around with no decreases. I hope this helps clarify things!
Warmly,
Megan
Great yarn. A little tricky to knit with at the start as it felts together but my mittens turned out nice. Thank you.
Hi Theresa!
Thank you so much for writing in! We’re so glad to hear your mittens turned out beautifully. Some yarns can take a little getting used to, but it sounds like you handled it wonderfully!
Happy knitting!
Megan