Crafting cozy mittens for our toddlers with knitting needles is a delightful, creative, and practical endeavor. As the winter season approaches, providing our little ones with handmade, cozy mittens adds a personal touch to their winter wardrobe. The first mittens are always a special challenge. To help you craft this, we are here with another blog specifically curated for beginners, focusing on crafting adorable mittens. We aim to guide you in creating delightful and snug mittens, ensuring our toddlers stay warm and stylish throughout the chilly months.
Let's gather the required materials:
Yarn: Worsted weight yarn (choose a soft and durable yarn suitable for toddlers)
Knitting needles: Size 6 (4.0 mm) double pointed knitting needles (DPNs) or circular knitting needles.
Note that working with double pointed knitting needles is challenging, especially for the first time. As you have to work with four needles simultaneously. So, the simplest thing you can do is choose circular knitting needles, which are beginner-friendly. You can knit flat or circular with these knitting needles.
Stitch markers or scrap yarn
Tapestry needle
Scissors
Gauge: A gauge of 20 stitches and 24 rows corresponds to a 4-inch measurement.
Size: Toddler (ages 1-3 years)
Abbreviations:
K: knit
P: purl
K2tog: knit two stitches together (decrease)
PM: place marker
SM: slip marker
Instructions:
Cuff:
Cast on 24 stitches onto your circular knitting needles.
Round 1: K1, P1 repeat to the end of the round.
Repeat Round 1 for 2 inches (or desired cuff length).
Hand:
Round 1: Knit all stitches.
Repeat Round 1 until the mitten measures approximately 4 inches from the cast-on edge.
Thumb Gusset:
Round 1: K1, PM, M1R, K2, M1L, PM, knit to the end of the round.
Round 2: Knit all stitches.
Repeat Rounds 1-2 until you have 10 stitches between the markers (including the stitches at the markers).
Next Round: K1, remove marker, place the 10 thumb stitches on scrap yarn or a stitch holder, CO 2 stitches, knit to the end of the round.
Hand (continued):
Continue knitting in the round until the mitten measures approximately 5 inches from the cast-on edge.
Decrease Rounds:
Round 1: Knit 2, then knit 2 together, and continue repeating this pattern until you reach the end of the round
Round 2: Knit all stitches.
Repeat Rounds 1-2 until 12 stitches remain.
Finishing:
Cut the yarn, leaving a tail. Thread the tail through the tapestry needle, slip the needle through the remaining stitches, and pull tight to close the top of the mitten.
Thumb:
Transfer the 10 thumb stitches back onto your needles. Pick up and knit 2 stitches in the gap left by the cast-on stitches. Knit in the round until the thumb measures about 1.5 inches.
Thumb Decrease Rounds:
Round 1: K1, K2tog repeat to the end of the round.
Round 2: Knit all stitches.
Repeat Rounds 1-2 until 6 stitches remain. Cut the yarn, thread through the tapestry needle, and pull tight to close the top of the thumb.
Finishing Touches:
Weave in all loose ends using the tapestry needle.
Repeat the entire process to knit the second mitten.
Experimenting with various knitting needle sizes is a fantastic way to achieve different effects in your projects, especially when paired with different yarn weights. Opt for smaller needles with a thicker yarn for a tighter and denser fabric. Conversely, larger needles with a lighter yarn can produce an airy and loose texture. Don't hesitate to explore the possibilities – playing with needle sizes allows you to customize the drape and feel of your knitted items. It's all about finding the perfect combination that matches your desired aesthetics and enhances your creations' overall functionality.
So, this is how you make toddler gloves; it's that easy. It's considered a great project to advance your skills. Enjoy the process of creating handmade warmth for your little one. We trust that this blog has offered valuable insights. If you're interested in mastering the art of knitting fingerless gloves for adults, be sure to explore our other detailed blog on the subject.