These crochet baby mittens are the sweetest little things – soft, snug, and done in under an hour. They have a cozy fluffy cuff and a drawstring tie that actually keeps them on tiny hands, which makes them practical as well as adorable.
Worked in the round from the hand up toward the wrist, they’re a great project for beginners and an even better last-minute baby shower gift. Make a few pairs in different colors and you’ll have a gift that the whole family will love.
Why You’ll Love This Pattern
Beyond the obvious cuteness factor, mittens serve a real purpose for newborns – they stop tiny sharp nails from scratching delicate skin. The drawstring tie on this design is threaded through the cuff round so the mittens stay put even on the wiggliest baby.
The fluffy cuff is worked in a second yarn (a fuzzy or bouclé DK) and gives the mittens that cozy, luxurious finish that photographs beautifully.
What Yarn Works Best For Baby Mittens?
You need two yarns for this pattern:
- Yarn A (main yarn): A soft, washable DK or light worsted. 100% cotton DK or a cotton-acrylic blend works beautifully – it’s gentle on skin, holds its shape, and machine washes easily. Avoid anything scratchy.
- Yarn B (cuff yarn): A fluffy, bouclé, or faux fur DK. You only need a small scrap – about 10–15 yards per pair.
Our picks: Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton DK for Yarn A, and any soft white bouclé or baby loop yarn for Yarn B. The contrast between smooth and fluffy is what makes these mittens so charming.
Materials
- Yarn A: DK weight – approx 20 yds (preemie) / 30 yds (newborn, 0–3 mos) / 40 yds (3–6 mos)
- Yarn B: Fluffy / bouclé DK – approx 10–15 yds per pair
- Hook: 3.0 mm (preemie, newborn) / 3.5 mm (0–3 months) / 4.0 mm (3–6 months)
- Notions: Scissors, tapestry needle, stitch marker, safety pin (for threading the tie)
Gauge
16 hdc x 12 rounds = 4 inches (10 cm)
Gauge is especially important for mittens – too big and they fall off, too small and you can’t get them on. Work the first 3 rounds and check the diameter of your circle against the guide in the Sizing section below before continuing.
Sizing
| Size | Finished width | Finished length | Hook | Diameter after Rnd 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preemie | 2 in / 5 cm | 3 in / 8 cm | 3.0 mm | approx 1.6 in / 4 cm |
| Newborn | 2.2 in / 5.5 cm | 3.5 in / 9 cm | 3.0 mm | approx 1.75 in / 4.5 cm |
| 0–3 months | 2.4 in / 6 cm | 4 in / 10 cm | 3.5 mm | approx 1.9 in / 4.75 cm |
| 3–6 months | 2.6 in / 6.5 cm | 4.3 in / 11 cm | 4.0 mm | approx 2 in / 5 cm |
Instructions are written for Preemie, with changes for larger sizes in parentheses: Preemie (Newborn, 0–3 months, 3–6 months).
Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
ch |
chain |
hdc |
half double crochet |
dc |
double crochet |
sl st |
slip stitch |
MC |
magic circle (or ch 4, sl st to form a ring) |
sp(s) |
space(s) |
st(s) |
stitch(es) |
YO |
yarn over |
All abbreviations are US terms.
How To Crochet Baby Mittens — Step By Step
(Make 2)
Hand Section
Work with Yarn A.
Foundation ring: Ch 4, sl st to 1st ch to form a ring. (Or use a magic circle.)
Round 1: Ch 2 (does not count as a stitch, here and throughout). Work 7 (8, 8, 8) hdc into the centre of the ring. Sl st to 1st hdc to join. Do not turn. [7 (8, 8, 8) hdc]
Round 2: Ch 2. 2 hdc in same st as ch-2. 2 hdc in each remaining st around. Sl st to 1st hdc to join. Do not turn. [14 (16, 16, 16) hdc]
Round 3: Ch 2. 2 hdc in same st as ch-2. 1 hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st. Repeat from * to * around, ending 1 hdc in last st. Sl st to 1st hdc to join. Do not turn. [21 (24, 24, 24) hdc]
Check your diameter here against the Sizing table before continuing.
Round 4: Ch 2. 1 hdc in same st as ch-2. 1 hdc in each remaining st around. Sl st to 1st hdc to join. Do not turn. [21 (24, 24, 24) hdc]
Rounds 5–9 (Preemie) / Rounds 5–10 (Newborn, 0–3 mos, 3–6 mos): Repeat Round 4.
Fasten off Yarn A. Weave in ends.
Fluffy Cuff
Switch to Yarn B.
Attach Yarn B with a sl st to the last stitch worked.
Round 1 of Cuff: Ch 2 (counts as 1st dc here and throughout). 1 dc in each remaining st around. Sl st to the sp between the beginning ch-2 and the first dc to join. [21 (24, 24, 24) dc]
Note: From this round onward, work your double crochet stitches into the spaces between stitches rather than into the tops of stitches. The fluffy yarn makes it hard to see individual stitches – feel your way gently, and take care not to accidentally work two stitches into the same space, which will cause the cuff to ruffle outward.
Rounds 2–3 of Cuff: Ch 2 (counts as 1st dc). 1 dc in each remaining sp around. Sl st to sp between beg ch-2 and 1st dc to join. [21 (24, 24, 24) sts]
Fasten off Yarn B. Weave in ends.
Drawstring Tie
Using Yarn A, chain 63.
Fasten off. Weave each tail end in neatly along the back loops to hide it.
To thread the tie: Use a safety pin attached to one end of the chain to weave the tie in and out through the spaces between stitches in the last round of Yarn A (Round 9 for Preemie / Round 10 for other sizes) – one stitch in, one stitch out, all the way around. Pull both ends even and tie in a bow.
How To Finish Your Baby Mittens
- Weave in all ends very securely, especially where you joined Yarn B
- Block by dampening lightly, shaping by hand, and leaving flat to dry
- The tie should be firm enough to hold but gentle enough to undo easily – don’t pull it too tight
- Make several pairs in different colors! Preemie pairs work up in about 20 minutes once you know the pattern
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I work into the spaces on the cuff rounds? The fluffy yarn makes it nearly impossible to see the tops of stitches. Working into the spaces between stitches gives you consistent, even results without having to hunt for each stitch.
The cuff is ruffling – what went wrong? You’ve worked two stitches into the same space somewhere. Count your stitches at the end of each round – it should stay at 21 (24) throughout the cuff section.
Can I make these without the fluffy cuff? Yes – just continue with Yarn A for the cuff rounds. The mittens will look more classic and simple, which is lovely too.
My tie keeps coming undone. Any tips? Use a slightly thicker chain for the tie, or make a second chain and thread them through in opposite directions so they cross – it holds better.
Can I sell mittens made from this pattern? Yes – you’re welcome to sell finished items made from Bloom Bonnet patterns in small quantities. Please credit BloomBonnet.com.
How do I wash crochet baby mittens? Machine wash gentle / cold, reshape by hand while damp, and lay flat to dry. If you used a fluffy bouclé for the cuff, hand washing will keep it fluffier for longer.
