Ribbed Fingerless Mitts

Classic fingerless mitts knit bottom-up in the round with a 1×1 ribbed cuff, simple stockinette hand, and a thumb gusset for a comfortable fit. Suitable for beginner-to-easy knitters.

Texting-friendly handwarmers

Finished / weight

Approx. 7 in circumference × 8.5 in long (unstretched), to fit 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 total (70 yards per mitt); 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 per mitt, for gusset), 2 locking stitch markers or waste yarn (for thumb sts), tapestry needle

Abbreviations

k = knitp = purlrnd = roundrnds = roundssts = stitchespm = place markersm = slip markerM1L = make 1 left: insert left needle from front to back under the bar between sts and knit through the back loopM1R = make 1 right: insert left needle from back to front under the bar between sts and knit through the front loopCO = cast onBO = bind offsl = slip stitch purlwiseRS = right siderep = repeat

Cast On and Cuff

COUsing long-tail or your preferred method, CO 38 sts. Distribute evenly on DPNs or set up for magic loop. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist sts. Pm to mark beginning of rnd.38 sts

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

Hand — Set Up Thumb Gusset

Rnd 21K19, pm (gusset marker 1), M1L, k1, M1R, pm (gusset marker 2), k18. (3 sts between gusset markers)40 sts

Rnd 22K to first gusset marker, sm, k to second gusset marker, sm, k to end of rnd.

Rnd 23K to first gusset marker, sm, M1L, k to second gusset marker, M1R, sm, k to end of rnd. (5 sts between gusset markers)42 sts

Rnd 24K to first gusset marker, sm, k to second gusset marker, sm, k to end of rnd.

Rnd 25K to first gusset marker, sm, M1L, k to second gusset marker, M1R, sm, k to end of rnd. (7 sts between gusset markers)44 sts

Rnd 26K to first gusset marker, sm, k to second gusset marker, sm, k to end of rnd.

Rnd 27K to first gusset marker, sm, M1L, k to second gusset marker, M1R, sm, k to end of rnd. (9 sts between gusset markers)46 sts

Rnd 28K to first gusset marker, sm, k to second gusset marker, sm, k to end of rnd.

Rnd 29K to first gusset marker, sm, M1L, k to second gusset marker, M1R, sm, k to end of rnd. (11 sts between gusset markers)48 sts

Rnd 30K to first gusset marker, sm, k to second gusset marker, sm, k to end of rnd.

Rnd 31K to first gusset marker, remove gusset marker, sl the next 11 gusset sts onto waste yarn or a locking stitch marker and hold for thumb, remove second gusset marker, CO 1 st using backward loop over right needle to close the gap, k to end of rnd.39 sts

Upper Hand

Rnds 32–41K all 39 sts.(10 rows)

Finger Edge Ribbing

Rnds 42–46*K1, p1; rep from * to last st, k1.(5 rows)

Rnd 47 (BO)BO all 39 sts loosely in pattern (k the k sts, p the p sts as you BO).0 sts

Thumb

Thumb SetupReturn 11 held thumb sts to DPNs or needle for magic loop. Rejoin yarn. Pick up and k 1 st from the CO st at the base of the thumb gap. Join to work in the round. Pm to mark beginning of thumb rnd. (12 sts)12 sts

Thumb Rnd 1 – Thumb Rnd 4K all 12 sts.(4 rows)

Thumb Rnd 5 – Thumb Rnd 6*K1, p1; rep from * to end of rnd.(2 rows)

Thumb Rnd 7 (BO)BO all 12 sts loosely in pattern.0 sts

Finishing

Weave in all ends securely with a tapestry needle, paying special attention to the gap at the base of the thumb — use the yarn tail to close any small hole if needed. Block mitts gently by soaking in cool water, pressing out excess moisture in a towel, and laying flat to dry to finished measurements. Make both mitts identically, noting the round count at each section to ensure they match.

Notes

Both mitts are worked identically — there is no left or right hand distinction in this pattern. Place markers on either side of the gusset stitches from Rnd 21 onward to keep increases tidy and easy to count. If you prefer a longer or shorter cuff, adjust the number of cuff ribbing rnds in multiples of 2 to maintain the 1×1 rib pattern; note that additional cuff length will require extra yardage. If your stitch count after the thumb gap (Rnd 31) comes out as an even number, work the finger edge rib as *k1, p1; rep from * to end for a clean 1×1 rib. To avoid ladders when using DPNs, shift the needle break point by one stitch every few rounds. Knit both mitts before weaving in ends so you can compare length and make any adjustments easily.

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AI-drafted, human-run · this version drafted Oct 11, 2026. Always swatch and verify stitch counts before casting on.