Intro – all feature basic techniques with no thumb gussets. Fingerless mitts are a great project for beginner knitters. And these eight fingerless mitt knitting patterns are perfect for brand-new knitters. All of them are really simple, using just basic techniques, and no thumb gussets (those little areas of extra fabric for your thumb – which can be a bit tricky for new knitters to figure out).
Here are the eight simple fingerless mitt patterns for beginner knitters:
- Black Cat Basics from Alanna Penk
- Beginner Wristers by Lion Brand Yarns
- Reversible Knitting Mitts from Churchmouse Yarns
- Semplici Mitts by Arancia Cannella
- Colorblock Hand Warmers from Purl Soho
- Emmett from Berroco
- Easy Peasy Fingerless Mitts by Agrarian Artisan
- Easy Fingerless Mitts from Very Pink
Any of these eight knitting patterns will help you gain confidence in your knitting skills and you’ll have a great set of fingerless mitts for your effort! Let’s take a closer look at each of these patterns and why they are perfect for brand-new knitters (I’ve included yarn suggestions for each pattern too).
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Black Cat Basics
Black Cat Basics is a simple pattern that’s knit flat (using knit and purl stitches). There are no increases or decreases involved – just a basic ribbed cuff and a Garter stitch body. After finishing the mitts they are seamed along on the edge, leaving a hole for the thumb. The pattern comes in nine different sizes and uses worsted weight (CYC Medium 4). If you haven’t tackled knitting in the round yet, working a pair of mitts flat and then seaming them up is a great option.
Get the pattern: Black Cat Basics
Get the yarn: Rowan Pure Wool Superwash Worsted
Beginner Wristers
The Beginner Wristers from Lion Brand Yarns is a super-simple project. Using a super-bulky yarn these Garter stitch mitts are worked flat until the piece is large enough to fit around your hand. Then, after binding off, you seam one edge closed, making a tube, and leaving a small opening for your thumb. They are a super-simple first mitt project.
Get the pattern: Beginner Wristers
Get the yarn: Lion Brand Heartland Thick & Quick
Reversible Knitting Mitts
Reversible Knitting Mitts from Churchmouse Yarns is a great introductory pattern if you’re practicing your knitting in the round skills on circular needles or double-pointed needles. The free pattern, which comes in three sizes, is a reversible k2p1 rib fabric with a buttonhole thumb. The ribbed pattern makes them completely reversible and easily customizable in length – make them as long as you want! Worked with chunky yarn, these will knit up quickly. And, if you use the sample yarn, Rowan Brushed Fleece, you’ll have a luxurious pair of fingerless mitts.
Get the pattern: Reversible Knitting Mitts
Get the yarn: Rowan Brushed Fleece
Semplici Mitts
The Semplici mitts are another pair of mitts that are worked flat and seamed after binding off. These mitts feature a Reverse Stockinette stitch cuff at each end with a section of Stockinette stitch in between. The sample mitts are worked in three different colors giving the finished mitts a color-block effect (which is also a great way to practice adding in a new color if that’s a skill you need to learn). If you prefer the look of smooth Stockinette fabric instead of the Garter stitch featured in some of the other mitts that are worked flat, these are the mitts for you.
Get the pattern: Semplici Mitts
Get the yarn: Cascade 220
Colorblock Hand Warmers
These Colorblock Hand Warmers are worked a bit differently from the other patterns in this list. They are worked in the round, starting with a simple ribbed cuff before working in Stockinette stitch for the length (in beautiful colors). When it’s time to work the thumbhole, you switch to working back and forth in rows. When the thumb hole is complete, you’ll resume knitting in the round and finish the mitts. After you bind off, a bit of extra finishing is added to the thumbhole – stitches are picked up and a bit of the ribbed pattern is worked to create a nicely finished edge. While this step might be confusing, just take it slow and follow the pictures. Learning to pick up stitches and add a finished edge is an important skill for every knitter.
Get the pattern: Colorblock Hand Warmers
Get the yarn: Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light
Easy Peasy Fingerless Mitts
The Easy Peasy Fingerless Mitts are another pair of mitts that are worked flat, back-and-forth in rows before the finished fabric is seamed. Each end of the mitts features a ribbed cuff, while the body is worked in Stockinette stitch. If you want to practice the basics, this is a good way to do that.
Get the pattern: Easy Peasy Fingerless Mitts
Get the yarn: Debbie Bliss Rialto DK
Emmett
The Emmett mitts from Berroco uses a chunky thick-and-thin yarn and a simple k1p1 rib pattern. The mitts are worked flat, casting on at one edge, working the k1p1 pattern, marking the thumb area, and finishing the mitts by binding off. The fabric is then seamed along the edge, leaving the marked area for the thumb. If you like a bit of texture, this rib pattern, combined with the chunky yarn, makes a great, comfy pair of mitts.
Get the pattern: Emmett Mitts
Get the yarn: Paintbox Yarns Wool Mix Super Chunky
Easy Fingerless Mitts
The Easy Fingerless Mitts from Very Pink are another great option for knitting a pair of mitts in the round. This set features a basic ribbed cuff and Stockinette body. The thumb hole is created using a buttonhole technique and the mitts are completed with a bit more ribbing. For knitters who want a bit more guidance, this pattern also comes with a video tutorial to walk you through each step.
Get the pattern: Easy Fingerless Mitts
Get the yarn: Malabrigo Rios
More Tips for Knitting Fingerless Mitts
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can knit fingerless mitts without a pattern (all you need to know is how to cast on, knit, bind off, and work a basic seam). Measure your hand and arm for the length you’d like your finished mitts to be and measure around your knuckles for the width of the mitts. Cast on enough stitches to meet the length requirement (leaving a long tail) and work in Garter stitch (knitting every row) until the fabric is just short of the finished width you’ll need to fit around your hand (Garter stitch is very stretchy so you want the fabric to have a little bit of negative ease for a snug fit). Bind off, leaving another long tail. Use the two tails to seam the bind-off edge together, leaving a hole for your thumb. Repeat the process for the second mitt.
How do you knit fingerless mittens on straight needles?
Like many of the suggested patterns above, you can knit the fingerless mitts flat on straight needles and then, using a tapestry needle and yarn, seam one edge closed, leaving a hole for your thumb.
What are the point of fingerless gloves?
Fingerless gloves are a great option for cool and chilly days when you want a bit of extra warmth but want your hands free to do necessary tasks.
Do fingerless gloves keep your hands warm?
Fingerless gloves are a great option for keeping your hands warm, especially if they are knit in a natural animal fiber which is warm and insulating against the cold.
More Beginner Knitter Projects
- Dishcloth Patterns for Beginners
- 10 Easy Absolute Beginner Knitting Projects
- Easy Scarf Knitting Pattern for Beginners