Thick and Thin Mittens
These thick and thin mittens are knit flat (no dpns needed) using simple stockinette and garter stitches.
Whenever I go yarn shopping, I find myself drawn to the texture of thick and thin yarn. While this yarn is undeniably beautiful, it can be challenging to work with. The number one rule for using thick and thin yarn is to stick with simple stitches because the unique character of the yarn tends to overshadow intricate knitting stitches.
So that’s exactly what I did with the thick and thin mittens pattern. I created this pattern using the two most basic knitting stitches in existence: garter stitch and stockinette stitch.
What you’ll need:
- 2 skeins of Cabelou Hivernal from Bergère de France
- 1 skein should be enough for size small, but it’s always good to have a spare.
- Yarn or thread in a matching color, for seaming
- 4mm straight knitting needles
- 5mm straight knitting needles
- Stitch markers
- A stitch holder (or a scrap piece of yarn)
- Darning needle for seaming / weaving in ends
Abbreviations:
- CO: Cast on (we used the twisted long-tail cast on)
- k: knit
- p: purl
- m1r: make 1 stitch (right-leaning)
- m1l: make 1 stitch (left-leaning)
- m1: make 1 stitch (right or left-leaning, however you prefer)
- ssk: slip 1 stitch as if to knit, slip 1 stitch as if to knit, then knit those two stitches together from the righthand needle
- k2tog: knit two stitches together
- pm: place stitch marker
Gauge:
- 16 stitches = 10cm in stockinette stitch on 5mm knitting needles.
- We HIGHLY recommend knitting a swatch for this project. Due to the nature of thick and thin yarn, the gauge can be unpredictable. Be prepared to adjust your needle size accordingly.
Sizes:
- This pattern is available in women’s sizes: Small [Medium, Large]
- Sizes by hand width (measure across knuckles):
- Small: 5.5-6.5cm
- Medium: 6.5-7.5cm
- Large: 7.5-8.5cm
Notes:
- There is no difference between the right and left gloves. Just follow the pattern below twice.
What you’ll need:
- 2 skeins of Cabelou Hivernal from Bergère de France
- 1 skein should be enough for size small, but it’s always good to have a spare.
- Yarn or thread in a matching color, for seaming
- US size 6 straight knitting needles
- US size 8 straight knitting needles
- Stitch markers
- A stitch holder (or a scrap piece of yarn)
- Darning needle for seaming / weaving in ends
Abbreviations:
- CO: Cast on (we used the twisted long-tail cast on)
- k: knit
- p: purl
- m1r: make 1 stitch (right-leaning)
- m1l: make 1 stitch (left-leaning)
- m1: make 1 stitch (right or left-leaning, however you prefer)
- ssk: slip 1 stitch as if to knit, slip 1 stitch as if to knit, then knit those two stitches together from the righthand needle
- k2tog: knit two stitches together
- pm: place stitch marker
Gauge:
- 16 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette stitch on US size 8 needles.
- We HIGHLY recommend knitting a swatch for this project. Due to the nature of thick and thin yarn, the gauge can be unpredictable. Be prepared to adjust your needle size accordingly.
Size:
- This pattern is available in women’s sizes: Small [Medium, Large]
- Sizes by hand width (measure across knuckles):
- Small: 2¼ – 2½ inches
- Medium: 2½ – 3 inches
- Large: 3 – 3½ inches
Notes:
- There is no difference between the right and left gloves. Just follow the pattern below twice.
Instructions for Knitting Flat
Casting on + wrist cuff:
With smaller needles cast on 20 [26, 30] stitches loosely.
Knit in garter stitch for 12 [14, 16] rows, then switch to larger needles.
Setup row (RS): Knit entire row, increasing 10 stitches throughout (30 [36, 40] stitches).
Work in stockinette for 3 [5, 7] rows, then continue to the next section.
Knitting the body:
Row 1: Knit 15 [18, 20] stitches, pm, m1, pm, knit to end
Row 2 and all even rows: Purl
Row 3: Knit to marker, m1l, k1, m1r, knit to end
Row 5: Knit to marker, m1l, k3, m1r, knit to end
Row 7: Knit to marker, m1l, k5, m1r, knit to end
Row 9: Knit to marker, m1l, k7, m1r, knit to end
Row 11: Knit to marker, m1l, k9, m1r, knit to end
Size Small stop here, skip to row 17
Row 13: Knit to marker, m1l, k11, m1r, knit to end
Size Medium stop here, skip to row 17
Row 15: Knit to marker, m1l, k13, m1r, knit to end
Row 17: Knit to first marker, remove marker, slip all thumb stitches onto a stitch holder or scrap yarn, slip this second marker (keeping it on the needles), then knit to end.
You’ve just created the lower hand and thumb loop. You should now have 30 [36, 40] stitches on your needles with a marker dividing them in half.
Continue knitting in stockinette stitch for 14 [18, 22] rows, or until 1.5cm (approx ½-¾ inch) from desired length.
Closing the fingers:
Row 1 (rs): k1, k2tog, knit to 2 stitches before marker, ssk, k2tog, knit to last 3 stitches, ssk, k1 (26 [32, 36] stitches)
Row 2 (ws): Purl
For size Small: Repeat rows 1-2 twice more (18 stitches remaining)
For size Medium: Repeat rows 1-2 three more times (20 stitches remaining)
For size Large: Repeat rows 1-2 four more times (20 stitches remaining)
Bind off all stitches
Knitting the thumb:
Transfer the thumb stitches back onto the needles.
Setup row (rs): Cast on 1 stitch, knit to end, cast on 1 stitch (13 [15, 17] stitches).
Continue in stockinette for 3 [5, 7] rows, or until thumb is just shy of desired length.
Row 1 (rs): k1, k2tog, k7, k2tog, knit to end (2 stitches decreased).
Row 2 (ws): p1, p2tog, p5, p2tog, purl to end (2 stitches decreased).
Cut a long tail and string it through the remaining stitches, pulling tight to close.
Finishing
Seam up the side of the glove and the thumb.
Weave in all loose ends and block, then knit another glove to complete the pair.
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