The original pattern called for 1 skein of 4/8s wool (Aran weight). I used Paton's Canadiana.

Use size H hook for medium and large mittens, size F hook for child's mittens.

Shortened instructions: Rows 3 and 5 have *...*-->. This means to repeat instructions between the *'s to the end of the round.
MITTENS:Begin at the top of the mitten
Ch 4, Join with sl st to form a ring.

• Row 1:Work 8 sc in ring. Do not join rows but mark the first sc in each row.
• Row 2:Work 2 sc in each st around (16 sc)
• Row 3:Work *sc in first sc, 2 sc in next sc*-->(24 sts.)
• Row 4:SC in each sc around
• Row 5:CHILD ONLY: OMIT THIS ROW
• Row 5:MEDIUM ONLY:*sc in first 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc*--> (28 sts)
• Row 5:LARGE ONLY:*sc in first 2 sc, sc in next sc*--> (32 sts)
• :ALL SIZES sc in each sc around until mitten fits to the top of thumb's join at the palm. Then crochet one more row to give ease and roomy fit.

THUMB OPENING

• Next row: chain 6, skip first 5 sc, sc in each remaining sc around.
• Next row: sc in first 6 ch, sc in each sc around.
• Repeat row 4 for at least 10 rows.

CUFF

• Reverse crochet in each sc around. Then dc in each sc around.
• Alternate fp/bp dc (front post, back post dc) in each dc until cuff measures at least 3"

(If jacket has inside storm cuffs, make the mitten cuffs shorter)

THUMB CONSTRUCTION

• Row 1: Sc in the 5 skipped sc, sc in the next sp, sc in opposite side of ch 6, sc in the next sp-(13 sc)
• Row 2-8:Sc in each sc around. If shaping is desired, determine which mitten will be right and which will be left. Decrease 1 sc at outside of thumb in row 4 and 1 sc in row 5. If a taller thumb is needed, crochet more rows as needed to reach to the top of the thumb. Fasten off, leaving about a 10" end. Thread this on a tapestry needle and weave through every other sc of the last row. Pull tight. Stitch across securely. Weave in and out to hide the end. Weave in all other loose ends.

CHILD'S MITTEN
Use size F hook, omit row 5 and work only 5 rows after thumb opening.

If these mittens are done in wool and felted, add 2/3 more stitches and make a LITTLE bit longer.

Thumb Modification

This modification adds some ease around the thumb amd shapes the wrist and palm a bit. It is a fussy bit of work and even I am not completely convinced the extra fit and comfort is really worth the time and effort.

• Follow pattern to one row before the thumb opening.
  sc,hdc,dc,dc,(hdc,sc,sc,sc,hdc),dc,dc,hdc,sc, then finish row in sc. (...)=these stitches will be the part of the thumb opening under the chain in the next row.
• THUMB OPENING ROW
  SC,SC,hdc on first dc of prev row,2 dc on second dc,(chain 6),2 dc on first dc, hdc,sc,sc, finish row in sc. (this adds 3 sc to the row)
  next 4 rows- sc all around.
  
• Decrease 1 sc in each of next 3 rows as follows:
  • Right mitten decrease is on left side of thumb hole.(decrease will include the decrease in the previous row and the next sc after)
  • Left mitten decrease is on right side of thumb hole.(decrease will include the sc before the decrease in the previous row and the decrease)
  
  
• one row sc all around
• Finish mitten according to pattern

THUMB Join yarn at right side of opening.

• 6 sc in back side of chain, 2 sc in side, 5 sc in skipped stitches,1 sc, 1 hdc in second side.
• 7 hdc, 8 sc around
• 6 hdc, 9 sc around
• Continue according to pattern (5 more rows)
• Finish accordng to pattern

The idea is to hdc around the outside of the base of the thumb and sc around the inside to shape the thumb slightly. Return to Top of Page