Master the Art of Knitting Mittens: A Guide to Using Circular Needles

Mittens are an essential winter accessory, keeping our hands cozy and warm during the cold and snow. While knit mittens are readily available at stores, there is something special about creating your own handmade pair. It not only adds a personal touch but also allows you to showcase your knitting skills. And what better way to knit than with circular needles? In this article, we will delve into the art of knitting mittens with circular needles and provide you with all the information and tips you need to create your own pair of snug and stylish mittens. So grab your needles, yarn, and let’s get started on this exciting knitting journey!

The Benefits of Using Circular Needles for Knitting Mittens

Circular needles are a popular choice for knitters looking to create mittens. These special knitting needles have a flexible cable that joins two tapered needle tips, creating a circular shape. While regular straight needles may suffice for basic mitten patterns, there are several distinct benefits to using circular needles when crafting your mittens.

First and foremost, circular needles allow you to knit in the round, meaning you won’t have to seam your mittens together later. This eliminates the need for awkward joins or unsightly seams in your finished product. Not only does this save time and effort, but it also creates a more seamless and professional-looking result.

Additionally, knitting with circular needles enables you to easily adjust the needle’s position while knitting. You won’t have to stop and flip your work back and forth like you would with straight needles. This makes it easier to maintain an even stitch tension without constantly having to reposition your hands or turn the project over.

Circular needles are also highly versatile when it comes to size and length options. When working on mittens, this is especially helpful as you can choose the appropriate needle size depending on the thickness of the yarn you are using. You can also find circular needles in various lengths, which is particularly advantageous for working on smaller projects like mittens. With shorter length options, you won’t have excess needle sticking out beyond your work that could get in the way or be cumbersome.

Another significant benefit of using circular needles for knitting mittens is their ability to hold onto a large number of stitches compared to straight needles. As mittens are generally smaller projects that require fewer stitches compared to other knitwear items like sweaters or scarves, this isn’t necessarily a major concern. However, it does come into play when working on techniques such as cabling or lacework where multiple stitches may need to be held on the needle at once.

Finally, circular needles are generally more comfortable to work with, especially when you have been using them for extended periods. Straight needles can cause hand fatigue and strain as they require a constant gripping motion. With circular needles, however, the weight of the project is distributed along the cable, allowing you to hold your hands in a more relaxed position. This can be especially beneficial if you suffer from conditions like arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Steps for Knitting Mittens with Circular Needles

Knitting mittens with circular needles is actually quite similar to knitting them with straight needles, except that there is no joining required. Below are the basic steps that you will follow when working on your own mitten project.

1. Choose your desired yarn and circular needle size: As mentioned earlier, one of the advantages of using circular needles for mittens is the ability to choose different sizes depending on the thickness and texture of your yarn. Be sure to select a needle size that corresponds to your chosen yarn’s recommended gauge.

2. Cast on stitches: To begin your mitten project, cast on enough stitches to create a circumference equal to the desired size of your mitten’s wrist opening.

3. Join in the round: With circular needles, there is no need to join in the round as you would with straight needles because they are already connected by the flexible cable. However, it’s essential to ensure that your stitches aren’t twisted before moving on to step 4.

4. Begin knitting in rounds: With your work properly connected on your circular needle, you can now start knitting in rounds as per your chosen mitten pattern instructions.

5. Work thumb gusset: Depending on your chosen pattern, you may need to create a thumb gusset by increasing stitches along one side of your work.

6. Split off thumb stitches: Once you’ve reached the desired length for the thumb gusset, you will need to put the thumb stitches on hold by using a spare circular needle or a stitch holder.

7. Continue working in rounds: With your thumb stitches out of the way, you will continue knitting in rounds until you reach the desired length for your completed mitten.

8. Create finger space: To make room for your fingers, divide your stitches in half and place them on two separate circular needles. You can either transfer them onto spare needles or use magic loop knitting techniques to keep both sets of stitches live.

9. Knit fingers: With your stitches set and divided into two sets, use your second circular needle or magic loop methods to knit each finger.

10. Finish off mitten: Once all fingers have been completed, it’s time to finish off your mittens by casting off and weaving in any loose ends.

Tips for Knitting Professional-Looking Mittens with Circular Needles

While knitting mittens with circular needles is relatively straightforward, there are still a few tips that you should keep in mind if you want to achieve a professional-looking result.

– Always check gauge: Just like with any other knitting project, it’s crucial to check that your stitch gauge matches the pattern

When the temperature starts to drop, there’s nothing cozier than snuggling up in a warm pair of mittens. And what’s even better? Knitting them yourself with circular needles. This technique has gained popularity over the years due to its ease and efficiency. Circular needles offer more flexibility and allow you to knit in the round, which means no pesky seams to sew up at the end. So if you’re a knitting enthusiast looking for a new project or a beginner looking to expand your skills, this step-by-step guide on how to knit mittens with circular needles is just for you.

Gather Your Materials

Before we dive into the actual knitting process, let’s make sure you have all the necessary materials. To knit mittens with circular needles, you will need two circular needles (usually 16 inches long), yarn in your desired color and weight, scissors, stitch markers, a tapestry needle, and a set of double-pointed needles (DPNs). DPNs are used for knitting smaller areas like cuffs and decreases that cannot be done on circular needles. You can also use DPNs instead of two circular needles if that’s what you prefer.

Choosing Yarn and Needles

When it comes to yarn weight, it ultimately depends on your personal preference and the type of mittens you want. Thicker yarn will result in bulkier mittens while thinner yarn will create more delicate and lightweight ones. Make sure to check the yarn label for recommended needle sizes too.

As for the needles, choose ones that are suitable for your chosen yarn weight. You want to make sure they are not too big or too small as it will affect your mitten’s size and tension.

Casting On

Start by casting on stitches using one of your two circular needles. The number of stitches will vary depending on the size of your needles and the yarn weight. For an average sized mitten, start with 32 stitches. Make sure the stitches are evenly distributed on your needle and join them to form a round.

Knitting the Wrist

Once you have your stitches cast on, it’s time to start knitting in the round. Continue knitting each round until you have reached the desired length for the wrist of your mitten. This will typically be between 1-2 inches, depending on how long you want the cuff to be.

Adding a Thumb Gusset

To create the thumb gusset, you need to increase stitches in a specific area. This will give your thumb room to move while wearing the mittens. To begin, knit half of your stitches (16 in this case) and then place a stitch marker. Knit one more stitch, place another stitch marker, and then knit the remaining stitches.

On every other round, increase one stitch before and after each marker by knitting into the front and back of each stitch (kfb). Continue increasing until you have 12-14 additional stitches between the markers.

Knitting the Palm

Once you have completed adding the thumb gusset, continue knitting every round without increasing until you reach just below where you want your fingers to end. You can try on your mitten at this point to see if it’s long enough for your liking.

Creating a Mitten Tip

To create a tapered end for your mitten tips, you need to decrease stitches gradually before closing off. Start by decreasing one stitch before and after each marker on every other row until there are only two stitches left between them. Then decrease on every row until only four stitches remain in total.

Closing Up Your Mitten

To close up your mittens, cut the yarn, leaving a long tail. Gently pull the tail through the remaining stitches with your tapestry needle and secure it. Weave in any loose ends and repeat the entire process to create a matching mitten.

Finishing Touches

To complete your mittens, add a thumb by picking up stitches with DPNs around the opening and knitting a few rounds. You can also add some ribbing or decorative patterns on the cuff and mitten tip for some extra flair.

Caring for Your Knitted Mittens

To ensure your mittens last for many winters to come, make sure to hand wash them in cold water using a gentle detergent. Avoid wringing or twisting them as this can alter their shape. Lay them flat to dry and reshape if needed before they are completely dry.

Now that you know how to knit mittens with circular needles, you can make them for yourself, as gifts, or even sell them at local craft markets. The possibilities are endless! Remember to have fun, be patient, and don’t be afraid to try new techniques and patterns. Happy knitting!

1. What type of yarn should I use when knitting mittens with circular needles?
A: We recommend using either worsted weight or bulky weight yarn for knitting mittens with circular needles. This will provide the right amount of thickness and warmth for your mittens.

2. Do I need to use a specific size of circular needles for knitting mittens?
A: Yes, you will need to use circular needles in the size recommended for your chosen yarn weight. This will ensure that your stitches are the correct size and your finished mittens fit properly.

3. Can I use double-pointed needles instead of circular needles to knit mittens?
A: Yes, you can use double-pointed needles to knit mittens, but using circular needles may be more comfortable and results in less seams to sew together.

4. How do I cast on stitches when using circular needles for knitting mittens?
A: To cast on stitches using circular needles, you can either use the long-tail cast on method or the knitted cast on method. Follow the instructions provided with your pattern or refer to a knitting guide for detailed instructions.

5. Can I knit thumbless or convertible mittens using circular needles?
A: Yes, you can choose to knit thumbless or convertible mittens using circular needles by following a pattern designed specifically for this type of mitten construction.

6. How do I finish off my knitted mitten once it’s complete?
A: To finish off your knitted mitten, simply close any remaining gaps at the top of the mitten and weave in any loose ends of yarn with a tapestry needle. You may also add embellishments such as buttons or embroidery if desired.

In conclusion, knitting mittens with circular needles is a wonderful skill to learn for any avid knitter. It offers numerous benefits such as the ability to knit in the round, create seamless pieces, and utilize various stitch patterns. By following the steps outlined in this guide, one can easily master the technique and create beautiful and functional mittens.

One of the key takeaways from this method is the use of circular needles, which eliminates the need for multiple double-pointed needles and allows for a more comfortable grip on larger projects. Additionally, mastering this technique opens up endless possibilities for creating other items such as hats or socks.

It is important to note that while some steps may seem daunting at first, practice and patience are key to success when learning a new skill like knitting mittens with circular needles. As with any craft, mistakes may happen along the way but they should be seen as opportunities to learn and improve.

Lastly, knitting in itself can be a therapeutic and meditative activity, providing a sense of accomplishment and relaxation. So not only do you end up with a pair of mittens that are uniquely yours but also an enjoyable experience.

With these insights in mind, I encourage readers to give knitting mittens with circular needles a try. It not only adds to your repertoire of

Author Profile

Jill Nammar

My name is Jill but everyone calls me Jilly. I design original cross stitch patterns inspired by vintage French and flowers. Roses are my muse.
I hope you have a cozy time stitching my patterns. Put the kettle on, relax and create a heartwarming piece of hand-embroidered art. Personalize your home and turn up the soulful charm with soulful stitchery.

My goal is to provide you with pretty patterns that promote peaceful stitching. My wish is for you to discover the gentle beauty of hand-embroidery.My patterns have been featured around the web and in Homespun Magazine and Boston Magazine. I find my bliss in cross stitch.

From 2024, I have embarked on a new venture—writing an informative blog on the “Embroidery and Cross-Stitch” niche. This blog is an extension of my passion, where I share detailed posts and respond to queries related to embroidery and cross-stitching.

The blog covers a wide range of topics from beginner tips, pattern creation, historical insights, and the therapeutic benefits of stitching. My goal is to build a community where enthusiasts can learn, share, and grow in their embroidery skills, ensuring everyone can find their own bliss in cross-stitch just as I did.

Thank you to all my customers and readers who have supported Sew French. Your kind emails, photos of completed patterns, and continual encouragement fuel my dedication to this beautiful craft. Join me in stitching a world of beauty and peace, one pattern at a time.