Let it Snow Mittens

Let It Snow Mittens

When I received the yak down yarn from Bijou Basin, the creamy color just begged to be made into warm mittens, with snow flakes floating down the back of the hand.

Of course, you can always come up with your own design by placing the “snow” stitches in squares, diamonds, or evenly spaced for a more solid pattern. I’ve even provided you with graphs so you can chart out your own design!

Plus, if you prefer a fingerless version (or only have one skein of the yak yarn) I’ve included modified instructions at the bottom of the pattern.

Sizes and Materials List …
Size:

Women’s Small [Medium, Large]

Hook(s):

US G/6 (4.0 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge.

Yarn:

Bijou Basin Ranch Bijou Spun Yarn [75% Pure Yak Down, 25% Super Fine Merino, 200 yds/2 oz skein]

Colors &
Approx. Yardage:

Cream
Mittens: Small – 210 yds, Medium – 220 yds, Large – 230 yds
Fingerless: Small – 175 yds, Medium – 185 yds, Large, 195 yds

Notions:

Yarn Needle
Stitch Markers

Gauge: 6 sc and 7 rows = 1″

Skill Level - Easy Download pattern in PDF format

Notes …
Working
  • Except for the cuff, the entire mitten is worked in rounds. Do not join unless directed to do so.
  • Use fewer “snow” stitches if you have a limited amount of yarn, or, if using a colorway that doesn’t look well with the “snow” stitches, eliminate them altogether.
Stitches Used

Single Crochet (sc)
Double Crochet (dc)
Front Post Double Crochet (fpdc)
Single Crochet 2 Together (sc2tog)

Special Stitches “Snow” Stitches
The snow stitches are made by working the sc into the space of the row below. No specific instructions are given for placing the snow stitches, just place them randomly on the back (right side) of each mitten or use the provided graphs to design your own pattern.
Abbreviations each (ea)
place marker (pm)
Right Side (RS)
Graphs
Instructions …
Fingertips
Round 1

Ch 9, sc in second ch from hook, sc in next 6 ch (mark as RS for right mitten), 3 sc in last ch, placing a marker in the second sc. Continuing around the ch, sc in back loop of each ch across with 2 sc in last back loop (mark as RS for left mitten), pm in last sc. (18 sc)

Note: Crochet over the yarn end as you sc in the back loops. This will strengthen the sts by allowing you to crochet over two strands instead of just the one back loop.

Rounds 2-8 (2-9, 2-10)

The top rounds of the mitten are made the same way, which adds four sts per round:

NOTE: Move markers up as you go.

2 sc in first sc, *sc in next st; rep from * until sc before marker, 2 sc in next sc; sc in marked st, 2 sc in next sc; *sc in next sc; rep from* to last sc before marker, 2 sc in next sc, sc in marked st. (22 sts)

On round 3, make a “snow” stitch just before the center on the right side. Continue until there are 46 (50, 54) sc, adding “snow” stitches randomly on the RS as you go.

Hand
Rounds 9-32 (10-35, 11-35) Sc in ea sc around, adding “snow” stitches randomly on RS, until piece reaches about 1/2″ before thumb, approximately 4.5″ [5″, 5″] from fingertip. (46 [50, 54] sts)
Thumb Opening
Round 33 (36, 36) With right (snow) side facing up, lay piece flat and mark the st on the left bottom (right mitten) or right bottom (left mitten). Sc in ea sc around to st just before marked st, ch 18 (20, 20), sk 3 sc, sc in next sc. Pm after thumb ch for right mitten, before thumb ch for left mitten. (64 [70, 74] sts)
Marking mittens for thumb and palm base
Palm Base
Rounds 34-38 (37-41, 37-41) Sc in each sc around until you reach the chs, sc in each ch, continue making scs in each sc around for four more rounds, remembering to add “snow” sts on the RS as you go.
Round 39 (42, 42) Decrease Round

Right Mitten:
Lay piece flat and mark the sts at ea side (see photo above). *Sc in each sc to 2 sc before marker, sc2tog, sc in marked st and in ea sc to 2 sc before marker, sc2tog.* (62 [68, 72])

Left Mitten:
Lay piece flat and mark the sts at ea side (see photo above). *Sc in each sc to marker, sc in marked st, sc2tog, sc in ea sc to marker, sc in marked st, sc2tog.* (62 [68, 72])

Rounds 40-41 (43-44, 43-44) Repeat from * to * of previous round, adding “snow” sts on the RS as you go. (58 [64, 68])
Rounds 42-43 (45-46, 45-46) Sc in ea sc to 2 sc before marker on thumb side, sc2tog. (56 [62, 66])
Wrist
Rounds 44-53 (47-56, 47-56) Sc in each sc around for 10 rounds. Join with sl st at end of last round. (56 [62, 66])

Note: The opening will be a little loose but since the yarn doesn’t stretch much, you won’t be able to get it over your hand if the cuff is too tight. If using a stretchier yarn, you can decrease using four sc2tog spaced evenly around on the last one or two rounds.

Cuff
Round 54 (57, 57) Ch 1, sc in same sc, pm in sc (move up as you go), *dc in next sc, sc in next sc,* repeat from * to * around, ending with a dc, join with sl st in first sc (skipping ch 1).
Round 55 (58, 58) Ch 1, sc in same sc and in ea st around, join with sl st in first sc.
Round 56 (59, 59) Ch 1, sc in same sc, *fpdc in dc of previous round, sc in next sc,* repeat from * to * around, ending with a dc, join with sl st in first sc (skipping ch 1).
Rounds 57 (60, 60) Repeat round 55
Round 58 (61,61)

Ch 1, sc in same sc, *fpdc in fpdc of previous round, sc in next sc,* repeat from * to * around, ending with a dc, join with sl st in first sc (skipping ch 1).

(Optional) If you want the cuff to be longer, repeat rounds 57 and 58 again. Fasten off.

Note: If using the Bijou Spun Yak/Merino yarn, do not pull too tightly when fastening off or the yarn will snap because of the short fibers

Thumb
Round 1 Join yarn on palm side of thumb, *sc in ea sc around, working sc2tog where thumb joins the palm on front and back* (this decreases ea round by 2 sts).

Note: When I made the joining round, I crocheted into the spaces of the row below so that it made a small ridge. If you don’t want the ridge, crochet into the top of the round, which would be the back loop of the thumb hole chain made earlier. Work the tail of the joining yarn into the stitches to strengthen them.

Rounds 2-4 Repeat from * to * of round 1.
Rounds 5-14 Sc in each sc around. Measure thumb to make sure it is 2″ in length from where it joined the palm. Add or remove rounds as needed to obtain length.
End Rounds Sc in next sc, *sc2tog, sc,* repeat from * to * around until 2 or 3 sts remain. Fasten off.
Finishing …

Weave in ends. Use tail on thumb to close the small hole at the tip of the thumb. Wash and block as needed.

Let It Snow Mittens

Fingerless Version
Hand
Round 1 Ch 47 (51, 55), sc in second ch from hook and in ea ch across, join with sl st to first sc.

Note: Use a sc foundation row for a nicer beginning to the glove.

Round 2 Sc in each sc around. Fold piece in half and pm in st at ea side. Mark top as RS for right mitten, mark bottom as RS for left mitten.
Round 3 Sc in ea sc around, making at least one “snow” st on RS.
Rounds 4-15 (4-19, 4-19) Sc in ea sc around, making “snow” sts on RS as you go.
Thumb Opening, Palm Base, Wrist
Follow instructions for full mitten.
Thumb
Follow rounds 1-9 (or rounds 1-7 if you have a short thumb like me) of full mitten thumb instructions. Fasten off.
Finishing …

Weave in ends. Wash and block as needed.

Fingerless version
“Snow” stitches on every other row, spaced as evenly as possible

Variation
Version without any “snow” stitches, longer wrist with additional decreases
under thumb, and shorter cuff ending with sc. Yarn is a sock weight so required
additional rows in order to get the length and shaping correct.
Pattern and photos © Darlisa P Riggs, CatBird Studios