How to knit mittens

Why pay for outdoor wear when you can make your own and save some money? These easy steps will show you how to knit a pair of mittens.

The mittens are designed to fit an average-sized hand.

You will need

• 50 g (2 oz) plied yarn (14 to 16 wraps per 2.5 cm/1 in)
• Small amounts of coloured yarn for fingers
• 4 needles, size 3.25 mm ,10 (English)
• 4 needles, size 3.5 mm, 9 (English)
• 2 buttons

1. With the main coloured yarn and the 3.25 millimetre needles, cast on 48 stitches. Divide evenly onto three of the needles and rib for eight centimetres (three inches). Change to the 3.5 millimetreneedles and knit two centimetres (3/4 inch) in stocking stitch.
2. Increase for thumb. Knit two stitches, put in a marker, increase one stitch, knit one, increase one, put in another marker. Complete round. Thereafter, increase at each marker every third round until there are 15 stitches between markers. Transfer the 15 stitches to a helping thread to be removed later when the thumb is knitted. Knit a further three centimetres (1 1/4 inches) on the remaining 48 stitches. Carefully transfer these 48 stitches onto a contrasting holding thread with the gap at the thumb end of the mitten.
3. Index finger. Knit the first six stitches from the holding thread, cast on two, knit the last six stitches from the holding thread. Divide these 14 stitches on three needles and change colour. Knit a small circle until the work reaches the first finger joint. Cast off.
4. Second finger. Using the main colour, pick up two stitches from the base of first finger, knit seven stitches off the holding thread. Cast on two, knit seven stitches off the other end of holding thread. Divide these 18 stitches on three needles, change colour and knit in a small circle to the length of the second finger joint. Cast off.
5. Ring finger. Using the main colour, pick up two stitches from the base of the second finger, knit six stitches off holding thread, Cast on two, knit six off the other end of the holding thread. Divide these 16 stitches on three needles. Change colour and knit in a small circle to the length of the third finger joint. Cast off.
6. Little finger. Using the main colour, pick up two stitches from the base of the third finger, knit 10 stitches off holding thread. Divide the 12 stitches on three needles, change colour and knit in a small circle to the length of finger joint. Cast off.
7. Thumb. Using main colour, pick up the 15 stitches on the thumb holding thread, pick up two stitches from the base of the thumb, twisting them to avoid a hole. Divide these 17 stitches on three needles and knit until the thumb measures about six centimetres (2.5 inches). Decrease each row by knitting two together for two rounds. Break off wool, thread through stitches, draw up and finish off.
8. Glove cap. Using the main colour and 3 x 3.25 millimetre needles, cast on 28 stitches and rib for two centimetres. Change to stocking stitch and 3.5 millimetre needles and pick up 28 stitches across the back of hand where the fingers begin. Divide these 56 stitches onto three needles and knit in the round until the cap covers the little finger. Decrease four stitches evenly spaced every following round until right stitches remain. Break off wool, leaving a 46 centimetre (19 inch) end. Thread end through the last eight stitches and crochet a small loop for the button.
9. Finishing. Fasten all threads, sew cap ribbing to each side of mitten and sew button firmly to back of mitten to hold the cap down when not in use.