The thumb is the part of a mitten that scares most new knitters, but it is easier than it looks. Most mittens use a thumb gusset: you add a few stitches every couple of rounds to make a small triangle, slip those stitches onto scrap yarn, finish the hand, then come back and knit the thumb. Once you have done it once, you will never forget it.
Here are 15 free knit mitten patterns we checked one by one. Many have a classic thumb gusset, a few have special shaping like an arched or biased gusset, and some are colorwork showpieces. You will find yarn weight, needle size and a link for each.
Knit Mittens Thumb Gusset Free Patterns
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What You’ll Need
- Double-pointed needles in two sizes (cuff and hand)
- 32-inch circular needle for magic loop
- Worsted wool or wool-blend yarn
- Removable stitch markers
- Scrap yarn or stitch holders for the thumb stitches
- Tapestry needle for grafting and weaving in ends
- Soft tape measure
1. The World’s Simplest Mittens
Photo: Tin Can Knits / Ravelry
This is the pattern to learn on. It is written for four yarn weights (fingering, DK, worsted and chunky), so you can use almost any yarn in your stash. The thumb gusset uses paired M1L and M1R increases, and Tin Can Knits also has a free step-by-step photo tutorial on their blog. Once you know it, use it as a base for your own designs.
- Designer: Tin Can Knits / Ravelry
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Fingering, DK, worsted or chunky
- Needle size: Depends on yarn, from US 0 (2 mm) to US 8 (5 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
2. Arched Gusset Mittens
Photo: Laura Ferguson for Purl Soho / Ravelry
The arched gusset curves the thumb shaping so the mitten follows the shape of your hand more closely. They are worked seamless and bottom-up, and the pattern includes photo tutorials for each tricky step. Sizes run from kid to adult extra-large, so one pattern covers the whole family.
- Designer: Laura Ferguson for Purl Soho / Ravelry
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted / light worsted
- Needle size: US 5 (3.75 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
3. Comfy Gusset Mittens
Photo: Karen Hoyle / Ravelry
A plain, classic mitten with a wide and comfortable thumb gusset. The designer says it is easy to knit and wonderful to wear, and that is exactly what you want from an everyday pair. Make a few in worsted wool and keep them in every coat pocket.
- Designer: Karen Hoyle / Ravelry
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted
- Needle size: US 6 (4 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
4. Sydänmaa Mittens
Photo: Hanna Leväniemi / Ravelry
Sydänmaa mittens have rich cables on the back of the hand and a biased thumb gusset that leans with the cable lines. They are very popular, with hundreds of finished pairs on Ravelry. Choose these when you are comfortable with cables and want a pair that looks like it came from a Nordic shop.
- Designer: Hanna Leväniemi / Ravelry
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted
- Needle size: US 4 (3.5 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
5. Thrummed Mittens with Gusset Thumb
Photo: Alex Cheney / Ravelry
Thrums are little tufts of unspun wool knit into the fabric. They make a fluffy lining inside, so these are some of the warmest mittens you can make. This version is knit in the round with a proper gusset thumb, which fits better than many old thrummed patterns. Perfect for snow days and long dog walks.
- Designer: Alex Cheney / Ravelry
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted
- Needle size: US 4 (3.5 mm) and US 7 (4.5 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
6. Easy Chunky Mittens
Photo: Alnaar Harnish / Leelee Knits
These stretchy mittens have a K2P2 rib cuff, a stockinette hand and a classic thumb gusset. The designer wrote them for people making mittens for the first time, and she links tutorials for magic loop and Kitchener stitch, which closes the top. Two contrast colors make the cuff pop.
- Designer: Alnaar Harnish / Leelee Knits
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Chunky
- Needle size: US 7 (4.5 mm) circular, 24 inches or longer
- Price: Free (ad-free PDF optional)
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
7. Simple Worsted Weight Mittens
Photo: Knit in the Womb (Amanda Morse)
A straightforward mitten in four sizes: toddler, child, teen/ladies and men. You get a K1 P1 rib cuff, a stockinette hand, a thumb gusset held on waste yarn, and a grafted tip. Because the full pattern is written right on the blog, it is a handy one to keep open on your phone while you knit.
- Designer: Knit in the Womb (Amanda Morse)
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted
- Needle size: US 6 (4 mm) double-pointed needles
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
8. Seed Stitch Mittens
Photo: Destiny / Knifty Knittings
Seed stitch gives these mittens a pebbly texture that looks great in thick yarn. They are knit in the round with magic loop, and the thumb gusset is set aside on scrap yarn and finished last. Super thick yarn on big needles means you can finish a pair in an evening. There is also a free video tutorial.
- Designer: Destiny / Knifty Knittings
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: see pattern (Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick)
- Needle size: US 11 (8 mm), 32-inch circular
- Price: Free (ad-free PDF optional)
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
9. Minky Mittens
Photo: Gretchen Tracy / Balls to the Walls Knits
Minky Mittens use a two-color slip-stitch pattern, so you get a colorwork look while only using one color per round. They come in six sizes from toddler to adult large, with a ribbed cuff and a thumb gusset. A great bridge between plain mittens and true stranded colorwork.
- Designer: Gretchen Tracy / Balls to the Walls Knits
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted
- Needle size: US 5 and US 7 double-pointed needles
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
10. Movie Night Mittens
Photo: Betty Clay / Ravelry
Made for knitting during a movie or at a ball game, these quick stranded mittens use one skein of multicolor yarn plus small bits of three solids. The self-striping yarn changes the look as you go, so you get lots of color with simple charts.
- Designer: Betty Clay / Ravelry
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted
- Needle size: US 3 (3.25 mm) and US 5 (3.75 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
11. Funktastic Mittens
Photo: Mindy Abodeely / Ravelry
Funktastic is a one-size pattern for teens and adults, with an optional fingerless version. The thumb uses M1L and M1R increases with the stitches held on scrap yarn. One pack of mini skeins makes two pairs, so this is a smart pick for gift knitting.
- Designer: Mindy Abodeely / Ravelry
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Sport
- Needle size: US 3 (3.25 mm) and US 5 (3.75 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
12. Mad Men Mittens
Photo: Staci Perry / Ravelry
These stranded colorwork mittens copy a pair seen on the TV show Mad Men. The designer added a few extra rows to the thumb for an easier knit and better fit. They have a retro, mid-century look that makes a great gift for anyone who loves vintage style.
- Designer: Staci Perry / Ravelry
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted
- Needle size: US 3 (3.25 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
13. Mystery + Manners
Photo: SpillyJane / Ravelry (published by Knitty)
Fancy colorwork mittens with a peacock and peacock-feather design. They are knit in fingering weight on small needles, so they take time, but the result is stunning. This is the pair to make when you are ready for a real colorwork project.
- Designer: SpillyJane / Ravelry (published by Knitty)
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Fingering
- Needle size: US 1 (2.25 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
14. Temptation Mittens
Photo: Fleece Love Happiness (blog)
Temptation Mittens use three dark shades and two light shades in fingering weight yarn for a rich colorwork pattern. The palms use a simple seeded pattern that alternates light and dark, which also helps keep the floats short. A free PDF is on the blog.
- Designer: Fleece Love Happiness (blog)
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Fingering
- Needle size: see pattern
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
15. Padded Mittens
Photo: Frankie Brown / Ravelry
These warm mittens use a slip-stitch pattern that makes a thick, padded fabric. One set of instructions covers three sizes: you just change the yarn and needles. Use thin 4-ply for small, DK for medium and aran for large. Knit them on magic loop or double-pointed needles.
- Designer: Frankie Brown / Ravelry
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: 4-ply, DK or aran (by size)
- Needle size: 2.5 mm to 5 mm (by size)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
Which One Should You Make?
- First mittens ever? Start with #1 The World’s Simplest Mittens and follow the photo tutorial.
- Want them done tonight? #8 Seed Stitch Mittens or #6 Easy Chunky Mittens on big needles.
- Mittens for the whole family? #2 Arched Gusset (kid to adult XL) or #7 Simple Worsted (toddler to men).
- Coldest winters? #5 Thrummed Mittens or #15 Padded Mittens.
- Ready for colorwork? Try #9 Minky first, then #10 Movie Night, and save #13 Mystery + Manners for a big project.
FAQ
What is a thumb gusset in knitting?
A thumb gusset is a small triangle of extra stitches added at the base of the thumb. You increase two stitches every few rounds, place them on scrap yarn, cast on a stitch or two over the gap, and keep knitting the hand. Later you pick the thumb stitches back up and knit the thumb in the round.
How do I avoid holes at the base of the thumb?
When you pick up the thumb stitches, pick up one or two extra stitches in the gap at each side. On the next round, knit them together with their neighbors. Pulling the yarn snug on the first round also helps. Any small hole left can be closed when you weave in the ends.
What yarn is best for knit mittens?
Wool is the best choice because it stays warm even when damp from snow. Worsted weight is the easiest to work with and knits up quickly. Superwash wool is handy for kids’ mittens that need machine washing. Avoid 100% cotton, which stretches and is not very warm.
Grab some worsted wool and a set of double-pointed needles, and your hands will thank you all winter.
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