Super Simple Fingerless Mitts

Two years ago I decided to write a really easy fingerless mittens pattern...

The original mitts.

I made them to match my stripy snood.

and I made them...then promptly forgot to actually write the pattern up and share it!  So, I've worked out how I made them, made another pair and this time I've actually written the pattern up and here it is!

Photo courtesy of my twelve year old!  Otherwise you only get one hand in the photo!
 

Like this...

...and this!





It's very, very easy to make these larger (increase foundation chain and the amount of rows) or smaller (decrease foundation chain and the amount of rows). The pattern, as it is, makes mitts that are stretchy enough for my massive hands and also work for my twelve year old's hands.

The first mitts were made with Stylecraft Special dk (all 88 colours are available in the Planet Yarn online shop), using alternating rows of Teal and Emperor.  The most recent pair have been made with Purple Haze Stylecraft Caberet, a gorgeously soft, self striping yarn which also has a glittery thread running through it!  I blinking love this yarn, have a look in the Planet Yarn online shop at the other gorgeous colours available - soooooo pretty!

So here it is (finally)!  My super simple fingerless mittens pattern!

Skills needed: US double crochet (dc)/UK treble crochet (tr), crocheting in the round, chain (ch), slip stich (sl st).

Yarn and equipment needed:

 

• dk yarn (approx. 40 grams)
• 4mm crochet hook
• Yarn needle
• Stitch markers (optional but recommended)
• Scissors

Notes: crocheting in the round, especially with double crochet stitches, can be a little confusing…it’s really easy to miscount and add an extra stitch when you end a round. To make it easier put a stitch marker in that third chain (the one that counts as your first dc on each row) then you can do a quick count when you come back around to it and make sure you still have just 30 tr (30dc in US terms) per round. 

I’ve included two versions of the pattern, one in UK terms and one in US terms. 

The pattern in UK crochet terms:

ch 33

Row 1:  tr into fourth chain from hook (counts as second tr), tr along until the end of the chain (you should have 30 stitches, slip stitch into the third chain at the start (taking care not to twist the row)

Row 2: ch 3 (first tr) then tr around the circle you have just created with row1until you reach the ch 3 again.  Sl st into the third chain (30tr)

Rows 3 -9: repeat row 2

Making the thumb hole

Row 10: ch 3 (first tr) then tr into the next 14 stitches, ch5, miss the next five stitches then tr into the final 10 stitches until you meet the ch 3 again.  Sl st into the third chain (30 stitches, 25tr and 5ch)

Row 11: ch 3 (first tr) then tr into the next 30 stitches, when you get to the chains from row 10 just treble over these as you would have done in the previous rows. (30tr)

Rows 12-15: repeat row 2

Break yarn.

Carefully weave in all ends, making sure you take particular care joining the first row neatly, remember the original foundation chain wasn’t joined there is just the slip stitch at the end of the first row. 

Now make another one!

Ta dah! Proudly wear your fabulous fingerless mitts or give ‘em to someone you love!

The pattern in US crochet terms:

ch 33

Row 1:  dc into fourth chain from hook (counts as second dc), dc along until the end of the chain (you should have 30 stitches, slip stitch into the third chain at the start (taking care not to twist the row)

Row 2: ch 3 (first dc) then dc around the circle you have just created with row1until you reach the ch 3 again.  Sl st into the third chain (30dc)

Rows 3 -9: repeat row 2

Making the thumb hole

Row 10: ch 3 (first dc) then dc into the next 14 stitches, ch5, miss the next five stitches then dc into the final 10 stitches until you meet the ch 3 again.  Sl st into the third chain (30 stitches, 25dc and 5ch)

Row 11: ch 3 (first dc) then dc into the next 30 stitches, when you get to the chains from row 10 just treble over these as you would have done in the previous rows. (30dc)

Rows 12-15: repeat row 2

Break yarn.

Carefully weave in all ends, making sure you take particular care joining the first row neatly, remember the original foundation chain wasn’t joined there is just the slip stitch at the end of the first row. 

Now make another one!

Ta dah! Proudly wear your fabulous fingerless mitts or give ‘em to someone you love!

Crochet Poppy Pattern

It's Remembrance Day, or Armistice Day, here in the UK and in many countries around the world soon.  I've worn a poppy on this day, and the days leading up to it, for as long as I can remember.  I have very clear memories of the 'Poppy Tray' being brought around the classes when I was at Primary School and today exactly the same thing still happens.  I am thankful for the men and women who have and still do fight for the world to be a better place.  I wear my poppy with pride and thankfulness.

The two biggest UK charities are Poppy Scotland and The British Legion.  Here's their stories:

The British Legion's Story of the Poppy

Poppy Scotland's Poppy Story

The poem Flanders Fields by John McCrae is pretty much the accepted origin of wearing a poppy. 

I was asked to make some crochet poppies by my friends at work.  I'm just going to take them into work for whoever wants one and they can put their own donation in the charity box: there are plenty around, thanks to all the volunteers.

There are only two rounds to this pattern, making it super quick to work up.  I've gone for a three petal poppy.  It looks good just in red yarn with a black button in the centre, but I must admit I prefer it with a black middle.

Pattern:

Using dk yarn and a 4mm hook.

This pattern uses US crochet terms.

Round 1

Begin with magic circle, ch 2 (doesn't count as a dc) and 12 dc into the circle and slip stitch to the first dc. to complete the circle.  Pull gently on the yarn tail to close the magic circle (12)

If you did this round in black break yarn and slip stich your red yarn into any of the dc stitches.  If you're doing the whole poppy red, then just carry on!

Round 2

*hdc, dc and trc into first stitch, 5 trc into next stitch, then trc, dc and hdc into third stitch, sl st into fourth* repeat twice.

Done!

Sew your ends in and add button, if you like, put a safety pin at the back and you're good to go.

If you're feeling fancy you can double layer the poppy AND add a button:

 

I like 'em on their own though:

With a button for the all red version.

 

Excuse my ends not sewn in...I've not sewed the safety pins on the back yet!