Cozy Striped Fingerless Mittens: Free Knitting Pattern by Ratcha

If you’re looking for a quick, satisfying project that blends practical warmth with playful style, these Cozy Striped Fingerless Mittens are just the ticket! Perfect for crisp autumn mornings, chilly evenings, or typing away at your desk, fingerless mitts keep your wrists and hands toasty while leaving your fingers completely free.

Worked seamlessly in the round from the cuff up using double-pointed needles (DPNs), this project is a wonderful next step for advanced beginners ready to practice working in the round, shaping a simple thumb gusset with neat increases, and playing with stripes. Knit in soft, squishy DK-weight wool, they fly off the needles in just a weekend—making them an ideal stash-buster or thoughtful handmade gift.

Grab your favorite colors, cast on, and let’s make a pair together!

Skill level: Advanced beginner
Construction: Worked in the round using double-pointed needles (DPNs)
Size: Adult, approximately one size (adjustable)

Materials 

• DK-weight wool yarn
• 5.5 mm double-pointed needles (main section)
• 4.5 mm double-pointed needles (ribbing)
• Stitch markers (optional)
• Waste yarn or stitch holder
• Tapestry needle

Abbreviations

• CO = Cast on
• K = Knit
• P = Purl
• M1L = Make one left
• M1R = Make one right
• St(s) = Stitch(es)
• DPN = Double-pointed needle
• BOR = Beginning of round

Pattern

1.Wrist Cuff

Using 4.5 mm needles:

CO 32 sts.

Divide evenly over 4 DPNs, 8 sts per needle. Join in the round, being careful not to twist.

Work K2, P2 ribbing until desired length.

Suggested length: 2–2½ inches.

Change to 5.5 mm needles.

2. Hand and Thumb Gusset

Continue knitting in stockinette stitch (knit every round).

Arrange the thumb gusset at the end of Needle 1 and beginning of Needle 2.

Increase round:

• Knit to the last stitch of Needle 1. M1L before the last stitch.
• Knit the last stitch.
• M1R after the first stitch of Needle 2.
• Knit to the end of the round.

You have increased 2 sts.

Next round: Knit all stitches without increasing.

Repeat these two rounds until you have made 8 increase rounds.

You should now have:

• 8 original stitches on Needle 1
• 8 increased stitches on Needle 1
• 8 increased stitches on Needle 2
• 8 original stitches on Needle 2

Total: 48 sts (32 original + 16 increased).

3. Separate the Thumb

On the next round:

1. Knit the original 8 sts on Needle 1.
2. Slip the next 8 increased sts onto waste yarn.
3. Slip the next 8 increased sts from Needle 2 onto the same waste yarn.
4. Knit the remaining 8 original sts on Needle 2.
5. Continue knitting the remaining stitches around.

You now have 32 sts remaining for the hand.

At the gap between the held thumb stitches, CO 2 sts using the backward-loop method.

Total hand stitches: 34 sts.

4. Hand Section

Continue knitting in the round using 5.5 mm needles for approximately 1 inch, or until the desired length is reached.

Change to 4.5 mm needles.

Work K1, P1 ribbing for approximately ¾ inch.

Bind off loosely using a stretchy bind-off.

5. Thumb

Transfer the 16 held thumb stitches onto 4.5 mm DPNs.

Pick up 2 additional stitches across the gap where the thumb meets the hand.

Total: 18 sts.

Join in the round.

Work K1, P1 ribbing for 4 rounds, or until the desired thumb cuff length is reached.

Bind off loosely.

Weave in all ends.

Lightly steam or wet-block the mittens according to the yarn manufacturer’s instructions.

Shape gently and allow to dry completely.

Enjoy your cozy handmade fingerless mittens!