Almost everything is cuter in miniature size, so when I needed some last minute winter-themed decoration, I decided that mini mittens were the way to go! After a little trial and error to get the sizing right, I arrived at a quick and easy pattern to make tiny mittens out of my stash of leftover yarn ends. Who knew that my hoarding could be so helpful?

• 5g / 9m of Caron Simply Soft – an aran weight (4) yarn (colour: Soft Green)
• Size E (3.50mm) hook

Pattern by tick-tock hobbies
(abbreviations: SC = single crochet, INC = two single crochet in one stitch, FPDC = front post double crochet, BPDC = back post double crochet)

Main Mitten

1. Start with eight SC in a magic circle. (8 stitches)
2. *SC in one stitch. INC in the next stitch.* Complete * to * a total of four times. (12 stitches)
3. *SC in each of the next two stitches. INC in the next stitch.* Complete * to * a total of four times. (16 stitches)
4. SC in each stitch around the circle. (16 stitches)
5. Repeat step 4 six more times for a total of ten rows.
6. *FPDC in one stitch. BPDC in the next stitch.* Complete * to * a total of eight times. After completing the last repeat, chain-stitch seven stitches and slip stitch into the top of the first FPDC. Cut the yarn and pull through to fasten. (16 stitches)

Thumb

1. Start with six SC in a magic circle. (6 stitches)
2. SC in each stitch around the circle. (6 stitches)
3. Repeat step 2 one more time for a total of three rows. Cut the yarn and leave a long tail for fastening to the main mitten. (6 stitches)

Now that my blog is seven years old, I figure that the least I can do is to start giving more accurate representations of yardage instead of my typical guesstimates of how much of a skein I used. I’m hoping that this commitment will make my blog more accurate, and as a result, reader friendly. I also tested this pattern with other worsted weight yarns, such as Estelle Yarns Alpaca Merino Worsted, Lion Brand Heartland, and Lion Brand Pound of Love, with 5g remaining an appropriate weight for all yarns.

I ended up using my mittens as part of my door decorations for a workplace event. Our overarching theme was Winter Wonderland, and I decided to lean into my love of reading by choosing ‘The Mitten’ by Jan Brett as my inspiration. I have always adored the artwork in Jan Brett’s books, especially the little side panels that allow readers to see what is coming next! I was thrilled to see that Jan Brett makes her artwork available on her website to make masks out of, and repurposed them for my door.

I had originally planned to make the actual mitten out of yarn as well, but my attempts did not turn out well. In fact, my first few attempts looked so blobby that others guessed it was a basket or a sweater. I decided to use paper instead for a cleaner look, but a part of me is sad about the missed opportunity. The only thing that made up for that was the fact that I did include yarn in the mitten garland. From left to right, the colourways used were Soft Green (Simply Soft), Soft Blue (Simply Soft), Blue Jeans (Alpaca Merino), Brick (Alpaca Merino), Sequoia (Heartland), Grand Canyon (Heartland), Straw (Pound of Love). I found it to be a great stashbusting project to make this mitten garland, and even considered making more mittens to get to twenty-four for an advent calendar! Do you use garlands or countdown calendars as part of your winter decorating?

Until next time, happy crafting!