The Frosted Fern Fingerless Mitts: A Free Knitting Pattern for Textured, Winter Garden-Inspired Hand Warmers

The Frosted Fern Fingerless Mitts: A Free Knitting Pattern for Textured, Winter Garden-Inspired Hand Warmers

Wrap your hands in the delicate beauty of a frosted winter garden with these uniquely textured fingerless mitts. The pattern combines a subtle leaf motif with a cozy, ribbed cuff for a modern, nature-inspired accessory. Perfect for keeping your hands warm while leaving your fingers free for typing, texting, or crafting, these mitts are a joy to knit and wear.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight wool or wool blend yarn (approx 150-200 yards). Shown in a soft sage green and a creamy white.
• Needles: US Size 6 (4.0mm) knitting needles (or size to obtain gauge) for the main body, US Size 4 (3.5mm) for the ribbing.
• Gauge: 22 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch on larger needles.
• Notions: Stitch markers, stitch holder or waste yarn, tapestry needle for weaving ends.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Sizes and Abbreviations

Sizes: Small/Medium (Medium/Large). Instructions for larger size in parentheses.

Abbreviations: CO = cast on, K = knit, P = purl, k2tog = knit two together, yo = yarn over, sl = slip, psso = pass slipped stitch over, st(s) = stitch(es), rep = repeat, M1L = make one left (increase), M1R = make one right (increase).

Cuff (make 2)

With smaller needles (US Size 4 / 3.5mm), CO 36 (40) sts.

Row 1: *K2, P2; rep from * across.

Repeat Row 1 until piece measures 2.5 (3) inches from cast-on edge.

Switch to larger needles (US Size 6 / 4.0mm).

Main Body (worked flat, then seamed)

Set-up Row (WS): Purl across.

Row 1 (RS): K4 (5), *yo, sl1, k1, psso, k1, k2tog, yo, k3; rep from * to last 4 (5) sts, K4 (5).

Row 2 and all even rows (WS): Purl across.

Row 3: K4 (5), *k1, yo, sl1, k2tog, psso, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso, yo, k1; rep from * to last 4 (5) sts, K4 (5).

Row 5: K4 (5), *k2, yo, sl1, k2tog, psso, yo, k3; rep from * to last 4 (5) sts, K4 (5).

Row 7: K4 (5), *k1, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k1; rep from * to last 4 (5) sts, K4 (5).

Row 9: K4 (5), *k2tog, yo, k3, yo, sl1, k1, psso; rep from * to last 4 (5) sts, K4 (5).

Row 10: Purl across.

Repeat Rows 1-10 until piece measures 4 (4.5) inches from cuff, ending with a WS row.

Thumb Gusset

Row 1 (RS): K4 (5), place marker, M1L, k1, M1R, place marker, knit to end.

Row 2 and all even rows (WS): Purl across, slipping markers.

Row 3: K4 (5), sl marker, M1L, knit to marker, M1R, sl marker, knit to end.

Repeat Rows 2-3 until there are 11 (13) sts between markers.

Next RS row: Knit to first marker, remove marker, place next 11 (13) sts on a stitch holder or waste yarn for thumb, remove second marker, cast on 1 st over gap, knit to end. (36 (40) sts total).

Upper Hand

Continue in established leaf pattern (Rows 1-10) for another 2 (2.5) inches, ending with a WS row.

Top Ribbing

Switch to smaller needles (US Size 4 / 3.5mm).

Row 1 (RS): *K2, P2; rep from * across.

Repeat Row 1 for 1 inch.

Bind off loosely in pattern.

Thumb

Transfer 11 (13) sts from holder to larger needles (US Size 6 / 4.0mm). Pick up and knit 3 (4) sts along the cast-on edge. (14 (17) sts).

Knit in the round (or flat and seam later) for 1.5 inches.

Switch to smaller needles (US Size 4 / 3.5mm).

Next round: *K2, P2; rep from * around for 0.5 inch.

Bind off loosely in pattern.

Finishing

Sew side seam of each mitt, leaving a 2-inch opening for the thumb if worked flat. Weave in all ends. Block gently to open up the leaf pattern.