DIY Projects & Crafts Knitting How to Knit Fingerless Mittens These simple, cozy hand-warmers are perfect for fall and winter. By Blythe Copeland Blythe Copeland Blythe Copeland is a contributing writer with more than a decade of experience as a freelance lifestyle writer. Editorial Guidelines Updated on August 29, 2023 Trending Videos Close this video player Cozy fingerless mittens are an easy and practical knitting project—they leave your fingertips free for texting while the rest of your hand stays warm. These mittens are straightforward to make (the basic knit stitch is king here), and the patterns are readily adaptable; the finished size is a women's medium, but you can alter that to suit the wearer. These instructions are based on a gauge where six stitches and eight rows is equal to 1 inch stockinette stitch, and you can adjust the needle size as necessary to obtain the correct gauge. 14 of Our Most Creative Knitting Patterns and Projects—for Beginners and Experts Alike What You'll Need Equipment / Tools 4 standard double-pointed needles in size U.S. 5 (3 3/4 mm) Tapestry needle Materials 2 skeins (50 grams) sport-weight yarn in desired colors (about 150 yards) 8 inches scrap yarn in contrasting color Instructions Make the mitten: Cast: With double-pointed needles, cast on 39 stitches. Divide stitches among three double-pointed needles, and join in a round.Rounds 1 through 57: Knit.Round 58: Using scrap yarn as your working yarn, knit seven stitches off the beginning of your next needle. Then slip these stitches back onto the needle they came from. With your main yarn, knit across the scrap-yarn stitches as well as the rest of the stitches on that needle.Rounds 59 through 83: Knit with main yarn. Bind off loosely. Make the thumb: Carefully remove the scrap yarn. As you do so, a hole will form with a series of loops above and below it. Pass one empty double-pointed needle through the top seven loops and another through the bottom seven loops. With a third needle and a new piece of yarn, knit the seven stitches on the bottom row, pick up, and knit two loops at end of thumb opening. Knit the seven stitches on the top row, pick up, and knit two loops at opposite end of thumb opening. Divide the 18 stitches among three needles and knit 14 rows. Bind off loosely. Repeat: Repeat process to make the second mitten. Originally appeared: MARTHA STEWART