Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Project Notebook: Kid’s Fingerless Mitts

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Knit up a quick pair of fingerless mitts for kidsDuring a recent really cold snap, my daughter was complaining about how cold her hands get when she washes her hands. She’s five, so just turning on the warm water is out of the question.

I suggested I could knit her some mitts that she could wear in the house when her hands are cold (like I do most of the time in winter) and she was agreeable. I asked her what color she wanted and she found some gray yarn sitting out, left over from a recently finished project I hope to tell you more about soon, and said she wanted me to use that.

I whipped up a prototype that same evening and it seemed to fit, so I made the second after bedtime and they were ready to go the next day.

She first said she didn’t want to wear them to school because she couldn’t fit her hands in her pockets when she wore them, but she’s since realized she can wear them over her gloves for even more warmth, and I knit another version in red and orange which she likes a lot better. (Here’s the project on Ravelry, too.)

This is a really great, simple pattern for mitts for a little one that includes instructions on how to resize to fit different hands. I can attest that they’re really quick and easy since I knit four of them in a span of a few evenings. They’re also pretty darn cute and I’m thinking hard about a grownup version.

What’s on or off your needles recently? I’d love to hear about it!

Have you read?

Free Knitted Crown Pattern for Kids and Adults: A Sweet Handmade Dress-Up Idea

There’s something wonderfully charming about a knitted crown. It’s playful, useful for the dress-up basket, and just the sort of small project that gives a leftover ball of yarn a proper purpose. Much better than letting it roll around the cupboard for another three years.

This free knitted crown pattern for kids and adults combines a simple garter-stitch band with shaped triangular points. The mustard-gold colour gives it that storybook crown look, although pink, purple or woodland green would be equally lovely.

A Manageable Next Step for Beginner Knitters

The construction is the appealing part of this design. Everything is knitted flat, so you won’t need double-pointed needles or experience joining stitches in the round.

You knit the band first, then work each crown point separately over a group of 12 stitches. Paired decreases gradually narrow each triangle, giving you a small, repeatable section to concentrate on.

I’d describe this as a confident beginner knitting project. You’ll need to know how to knit, work two types of decreases, hold unused stitches and sew a simple seam. There are several yarn tails to weave in, so a little patience with finishing will help.

Three Sizes With Room to Personalise

The pattern includes three sizes, with seven, eight or nine crown points. Choose by the wearer’s head measurement rather than age, and check your gauge carefully. Yarn stretch will make a noticeable difference to the fit.

For birthdays, an embroidered initial would be a sweet finishing touch. Contrasting yarn diamonds could suggest little jewels without adding hard embellishments.

What to Know Before Casting On

This is a soft knitted crown, so expect gentle points rather than a rigid costume accessory. A springy wool or wool-blend yarn should give the shaping more support than a very drapey yarn.

The stitch calculations have been checked, but the design has not yet been sample-knitted. The accompanying image is an illustrative mockup, so the finished texture and proportions may vary with your yarn and tension.

For a small handmade birthday accessory or a cheerful addition to the dress-up box, this is an appealing idea. And if an adult needs a matching crown for supervising the royal household, the larger size has that covered too.