3 Hour Crochet Mittens [Free Pattern + Detailed Tutorial] 🧶 (2024)

This simple chunky crochet mittens pattern looks knit and can be worked up in about three hours! Get the free pattern below or purchase the ad-free, printable PDFhere.

This free chunky crochet mittens pattern is part of a collaboration with my friends at Lion Brand Yarn. This post contains affiliate links.

The Mitten Stitch

If this is your first time trying the crochet knit stitch, definitely check out the waistcoat stitch video tutorial for some helpful tips before crocheting your mittens.

I tried several times to master this technique before finally figuring out a few mandatory tricks to make it successful, and I cover each of those mistakes (and corrections!) in the video tutorial.

Related: The Morning Mittens free crochet pattern ⇨

Deliver it! click to purchase a kit with all the yarn you'll need ⇨

Okay, I hope you enjoy making and wearing these chunky crochet mittens as much as I did. My only complaint is that I can't crochet when I'm wearing them, but then again, I also can't crochet if my fingers fall off from frostbite, so I think it's an acceptable mitten compromise.

Pin it! click to pin this pattern for later ⇨

Explanation:
Whether you’re headed to the backcountry or just back to the coffee shop, these chunky mittens will keep your hands toasty warm like the mitts your grandma used to make. While they look like knit stockinette, they’re actually crochet! The simple pattern works up in about three hours, making these mittens a go-to handmade gift this holiday season.

Supplies + Materials

Purchase a kit with all the yarn + a digital copy of the patternhere.
• Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick (Weight: 6/super bulky - 106 yds, 6 oz)
-Oatmeal (#640-123) – 2 skeins (approx. 225 g)]
•Size L (8.0 mm) crochet hook
• Size P/Q (15.0 mm) crochet hook
• Stitch markers or safety pins
• Tapestry needle
• Leather scraps, hole punch and embroidery thread (optional)

Sizes

One size - fits most women's hands

Gauge

Ribbing: 5 hdc x almost 3 rows = 2”

Main Mitten: 4 sc x 4 rows = 2”

Abbreviations and Glossary (US Terms)

ch – chain
sc – single crochet
hdc – half double crochet
hdcblo - half double crochet through the back loop only
st(s) – stitch(es)
sl st – slip stitch
post – the vertical strands of yarn in a sc stitch (See photo below.)
RS – right side
WS – wrong side

For a very similar “knit” looking crochet mitten using two strands of worsted weight yarn held together, see the Morning Mittens pattern.

Step 1: Crochet the Mitten Cuff

Notes:
• The right and left cuffs are worked identically.

• Row 2 and beyond are worked into the back loop of the hdc stitch only (hdcblo).

• Ch 2 at beginning of each round does not count as a st.

Make 2.

Using smaller hook:

Foundation: Ch 15.

Row 1 (RS): Hdc in third ch, hdc in each hdc; turn. (13)

Rows 2 - 12: Ch 2, hdcblo in each hdc; turn. (13)

Fasten off, leaving 15” tail to seam cuff.

Step 2: Seaming Cuff

With RS facing out, pin cuff into a loop by placing the initial chain row underneath Row 12. Using cuff tail and a tapestry needle, work a basting stitch to join edges. Take care to create enough overlap that foundation chain doesn’t stretch and create large gaps. (See photo B.)

Turn cuff inside out to proceed with mitten hand.

3. Crocheting Mitten Hand

Notes:
• Follow notes throughout on how to work right and left hands. Where not noted, right and left hands are worked identically.

• Hands are crocheted in the round with each row beginning with a ch 1 and ending with a sl st to the first sc of round. Neither the ch 1 or sl st count as sts.

• Row 2 and beyond are worked into the middle of each sc stitch rather than the top loops. See Photo C for hook placement. Besides inserting your hook in a slightly different location, you will still be working regular sc stitches. View a video tutorial on this stitch with lots of helpful tips here.

• Take care to keep stitches loose so that it’s easier to insert hook as described in photos below As you work each sc, it’s helpful to raise your hook a bit after picking up your second loop so as to ensure the two posts remain loose enough for next round. It’s normal that your stitches require a small bit of effort to push hook through, but if it’s proving very difficult, it means stitches must be worked even looser by pulling hook higher.

• Left-handed crocheters: Work pattern as written except where indicated. Instructions for right handed mitten will actually create a mitten that fits your left hand and visa versa.

• To create fingerless mitts instead of mittens, fasten off after Round 10.

RIGHT & LEFT MITTENS: attaching yarn

With WS of cuff seam facing you, attach yarn anywhere along either edge of cuff.

RIGHT & LEFT MITTENS: increasing for thumb

Using larger hook:

Round 1: Ch 1, work 12 sc evenly around (essentially 1 sc per hdc row), sl st to first sc to join. (12)

Round 2: Ch 1, sc in next 5, 2 sc in each of next 2 sc, sc in next 5 sc, sl st to join. (14)

Round 3: Ch 1, sc in next 6, 2 sc in each of next 2 sc, sc in next 6 sc, sl st to join. (16)

Round 4: Ch 1, sc in next 7, 2 sc in each of next 2 sc, sc in next 7 sc, sl st to join. (18)

RIGHT mitten: creating thumb hole & hand

Round 5: Ch 1, sc in each of next 7 sc, sk 5 sc, loosely ch 2, sc in each of next 6 sc, sl st to join. (15)

Round 6: Ch 1, sc in each sc and ch, sl st to join. (15)

Weave in any ends now as it will become difficult to do so later.

Rounds 7-15: Ch 1, sc in each sc, sl st to join. (15)

See Photo E for how to decrease (sc2tog) while working between posts of each sc stitch.

Round 16: Ch 1, sc in each of next 6 sc, sc2tog, sc in each of next 5, sc2tog, sl st to join. (13)

Round 17: Ch 1, sc in each of next 5 sc, sc2tog, sc in each of next 4, sc2tog, sl st to join. (11)

Proceed to instructions for closing top.

LEFT mitten: creating thumb hole & hand

Round 5: Ch 1, sc in each of next 6 sc, sk 5 sc, loosely ch 2, sc in each of next 7 sc, sl st to join. (15)

Round 6: Ch 1, sc in each sc and ch, sl st to join. (15)

Weave in any ends now as it will become difficult to do so later.

Rounds 7-15: Ch 1, sc in each sc, sl st to join. (15)

See Photo D for how to decrease (sc2tog) while working between posts of each sc stitch.

Round 16: Ch 1, sc in each of next 5 sc, sc2tog, sc in each of next 6, sc2tog, sl st to join. (13)

Round 17: Ch 1, sc in each of next 4 sc, sc2tog, sc in each of next 5, sc2tog, sl st to join. (11)

Proceed to instructions for closing top.

RIGHT & LEFT mittens: closing top

Fasten off, leaving 15” tail to close top.

Mitten top is closed using a technique commonly used in amigurumi stuffed animal patterns where tapestry needle is worked through only front loops of each single crochet stitch.

Thread tail from mitten top onto tapestry needle. Insert needle from inside of mitten, under front loop of first sc, out toward you. Repeat each each sc around taking care to always work from inside mitten to out. (See photo below.) Do not tighten down as you go.

Once you return back to first sc stitch, gently cinch circle together until it closes. Use tapestry needle to weave in remaining tail. Here’s a helpful tutorial with more details on this technique.

4. Creating Thumb

Notes:
• See photo below for visual explanation of thumb.

• As in the mitten hand, all sc stitches are worked between posts of sc from previous round.

RIGHT & LEFT mittens: creating thumb

Right-handed crocheters: Attach yarn at right “corner” of thumb where Rounds 4 and 5 meet. Work clockwise.

Left-handed crocheters: Attach yarn at left “corner” of thumb where Rounds 4 and 5 meet. Work counterclockwise.

Round 1: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next sc, sc2tog, sl st to “corner” between Rounds 4 and 5, sc in each of next 3 (the last of which is tricky to spot, check photo for clarification), sl st to opposite “corner” between Rounds 4 and 5, sl st to join. (6)

Rounds 2-6: Ch 1, sc in each sc (do not work into sl sts), sl st to join. (6)

Fasten off leaving 12” tail.

RIGHT & LEFT mittens: closing thumb

Work as described for mitten top.

Step 5: Adding Leather Accents

To add optional leather accents, use a rotary cutter or scissors to create two 1” x 3.5” strips of leather. (Try a thrifted leather jacket, purse or wallet!)

Punch four holes in each corner of leather strips using either ⅛-1/16th inch hole punch, leather punch or nail and hammer.

Fasten leather to mitten cuffs using embroidery thread.

Tuck away your crochet hook (just for a bit), put on your mittens and head outside for a snowball fight.

Making Mittens + Gloves - Common Questions

1. The Everywhere Beanie - free crochet pattern also using the Waistcoat stitch

2. Morning Mittens - very similar to the 3 Hour Crochet Mittens, just made with worsted weight yarn instead

3. Habitat Cardigan - free crochet sweater pattern + video tutorial that's perfect for beginners

4. 1 Hour Hat - very simple crochet beanie pattern + video tutorial (child-adult sizes)