The Winter 2024 issue of PieceWork is filled with many diminutive delights, and Susan Strawn’s article about vintage miniature mittens inspired me to pick up my needles immediately. I had to figure out how to knit a pair of those delightful tiny mittens. I started out using four double-pointed needles—three to hold the stitches, and the fourth to knit with. I switched after the ribbing to three double-pointed needles—two to hold the stitches, and one to knit with for the rest of the mitten and the thumb. I really like Scandinavian knitted snowflake designs, so I incorporated a snowflake into the back of the hand portion. To add visual interest, I added stripes to the palm area.
My miniature mittens were enjoyable to make—and I fear that knitting such tiny treasures might be addictive. I can see them as ornaments, a brooch, handwarmers for a beloved doll or stuffed toy, a decoration for a card or present, or just a conversation piece. Creating them is so much fun that you might find it hard to stop at just one or two.
View of the back of a pair of mittens.
Forest Snowflake Mini Mittens
Materials
- DMC Eco Vita (100% organic wool), 17½ yd (16 m) skein: 1 skein each of main color (MC) #708 green and contrasting color (CC) #001 white
- Smooth waste yarn or thread in a contrasting color and a similar weight
- Needles, set of 5-inch (12.7 cm) double-pointed (dpns) in size 1 (2.25 mm)
- Stitch marker
- Tapestry needle
Gauge: 22 sts and 12½ rows = 1" (2.5 cm)—please note that exact gauge is not important for this pattern.
Finished size: 2" (5 cm) long and 1" (2.5 cm) wide.
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Instructions
Using MC, cast on 22 sts. Divide sts evenly among needles, pm, and join to work in the rnd, being careful not to twist sts.
Rnds 1–4: Work in k1, p1 ribbing for 4 rnds.
Rnd 5: Knit 1 rnd.
Join CC.
Rnds 6–10: Continue working, following the chart.
Rnd 11 (thumb set-up rnd): Work the first 6 sts of the rnd following the chart, knit 4 thumb sts using waste yarn, slip waste yarn sts back to right-hand needle, then with mitten yarns, work to end of rnd.
Rnds 12–24: Continue working, following the chart.
Break yarn, leaving a tail. Thread tail onto tapestry needle and run through the remaining live sts. Pull gently to close the hole at the top of the mitten.
Thumb: Carefully remove the waste yarn, exposing 8 sts at the top and bottom of the thumb hole. Place 4 sts from the top and 4 sts from the bottom on 2 needles. Using MC, knit 7 rnds.
Next rnd (dec rnd): K2tog 4 times—4 sts.
Break yarn, leaving a tail. Thread tail onto tapestry needle and run it through the 4 live sts.
Finishing: Weave in ends, using thread end to sew hole at base of thumb.
The palm and back side of Pat Olski’s Forest Snowflake Mini Mittens each have a different pattern.
Pat Olski is the editor of PieceWork magazine.