Free knitting pattern · easy · DK weight

Ribbed Fingerless Mitts

Classic DK-weight fingerless mitts knit in the round from the cuff up, featuring a simple thumb gusset and stretchy 1×1 ribbed cuffs. Perfect for beginners comfortable with basic knitting in the round.

Texting-friendly handwarmers

Finished / weight

Approximately 7 in circumference × 8 in long (unstretched), fits an average adult hand

Gauge

22 sts × 30 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in stockinette with US 6 (4.0 mm)

Yarn

DK weight, approximately 140 yards, wool or wool-blend recommended

Needles / hooks

US 6 (4.0 mm) DPNs or long circular needle for magic loop

Notions

4 stitch markers (2 for gusset, 1 for BOR, 1 spare), scrap yarn or small stitch holder, tapestry needle

Abbreviations

BOR = beginning of roundCO = cast onk = knitk2tog = knit two stitches together (right-leaning decrease)kfb = knit into the front and back of the stitch (increase)M1L = make one left: lift the bar between stitches from front to back and knit through the back loopM1R = make one right: lift the bar between stitches from back to front and knit through the front loopp = purlpm = place markerrem = remainingrnd = roundRS = right sidesm = slip markerssk = slip, slip, knit: slip two stitches knitwise one at a time, then knit them together through the back loops (left-leaning decrease)st = stitchsts = stitchesBO = bind off

Cuff

COCO 40 sts using long-tail cast on. Distribute sts evenly across DPNs or set up for magic loop. Join to work in the rnd, being careful not to twist sts. pm for BOR.40 sts

Rnds 1–20*K1, p1; rep from * to end of rnd.(20 rows)

Hand (Pre-Gusset)

Rnds 21–24K all 40 sts.(4 rows)

Thumb Gusset

Rnd 25 (Gusset Setup)K19, pm, M1L, k2, M1R, pm, k to end of rnd. (2 gusset sts added; gusset holds 4 sts between markers)42 sts

Rnds 26–27K to first gusset marker, sm, k4, sm, k to end of rnd.(2 rows)

Rnd 28 (Gusset Increase)K to first gusset marker, sm, M1L, k4, M1R, sm, k to end of rnd. (2 sts added; gusset holds 6 sts)44 sts

Rnds 29–30K to first gusset marker, sm, k6, sm, k to end of rnd.(2 rows)

Rnd 31 (Gusset Increase)K to first gusset marker, sm, M1L, k6, M1R, sm, k to end of rnd. (2 sts added; gusset holds 8 sts)46 sts

Rnds 32–33K to first gusset marker, sm, k8, sm, k to end of rnd.(2 rows)

Rnd 34 (Gusset Increase)K to first gusset marker, sm, M1L, k8, M1R, sm, k to end of rnd. (2 sts added; gusset holds 10 sts)48 sts

Rnds 35–36K to first gusset marker, sm, k10, sm, k to end of rnd.(2 rows)

Rnd 37 (Gusset Increase)K to first gusset marker, sm, M1L, k10, M1R, sm, k to end of rnd. (2 sts added; gusset holds 12 sts)50 sts

Rnds 38–39K to first gusset marker, sm, k12, sm, k to end of rnd.(2 rows)

Rnd 40 (Thumb Separation)K to first gusset marker, remove marker, place next 12 gusset sts on scrap yarn or stitch holder for thumb, remove second marker, CO 2 sts over the gap using backward loop CO, k to end of rnd.42 sts

Upper Hand

Rnds 41–48K all 42 sts.(8 rows)

Rnd 49 (Decrease to 40 sts)K19, ssk, k19, k2tog. (2 sts decreased)40 sts

Finger Opening Rib

Rnds 50–54*K1, p1; rep from * to end of rnd.(5 rows)

Rnd 55 (Bind Off)BO all 40 sts loosely in 1×1 rib pattern: *k1, p1, pass first st over second st; rep from * to end. Cut yarn and pull tail through last st to secure.0 sts

Thumb

Thumb SetupReturn 12 held thumb sts to needles. With RS facing, rejoin yarn, pick up and k 3 sts across the 2 CO sts at the gap (picking up 1 extra st to avoid a hole), pm for BOR. (15 sts total)15 sts

Rnd T1K2tog (to close gap), k to end of rnd. (1 st decreased)14 sts

Rnd T2 – Rnd T5K all 14 sts.(4 rows)

Rnd T6 – Rnd T8*K1, p1; rep from * to end of rnd.(3 rows)

Rnd T9 (Thumb Bind Off)BO all 14 sts loosely in 1×1 rib pattern. Cut yarn and pull tail through last st to secure.0 sts

Finishing

Weave in all ends securely using a tapestry needle, working ends into the WS of the fabric. Use the yarn tail at the thumb join to close any remaining gap. Block mitts by soaking in cool water, gently squeezing out excess moisture, and laying flat to dry to finished measurements. Make a second mitt identical to the first, working all rounds to the same count for a matching pair.

Notes

To adjust width: CO in multiples of 2 for 1×1 rib compatibility. Each additional 4 sts adds approximately 3/4 in of circumference. To lengthen the cuff, work additional rib rounds before Rnd 21; to lengthen the hand, add plain knit rounds before the finger opening rib. Always work both mitts simultaneously or track your row count carefully so they match. The 2-st backward loop CO over the thumb gap tends to be loose — tighten by picking up one extra stitch and decreasing at the start of Rnd T1 as written. For a tighter ribbed bind off, use a larger needle (US 8) for the BO round only.

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AI-drafted, human-run · this version drafted Aug 16, 2026. Always swatch and verify stitch counts before casting on.