Learn how to crochet a simple pair of mittens with bulky weight yarn and my free crochet pattern for Daddy’s Simply Easy Mittens. These easy mittens can be made in only a couple of hours and they are perfect for any adult with medium to large sized hands.
This is my go-to beginner crochet mittens pattern and my husband still loves and wears the pair I crocheted for him. These crocheted mitts are great to give as gifts and perfect for donating to local charities and homeless shelters.
Daddy’s Simply Easy Mittens Pattern
To make these mittens, you need to know how to crochet only simple stitches.
The cuff of the mittens is made using single crochet stitches (sc) and the main mitten and thumb are worked in half double crochet stitches (hdc).
I find that half double crochet stitches (hdc) create a fabric that is less open than double crochet stitches (dc) so they are better for warmth. I prefer using the half double crochet stitch over just regular single crochet stitches for the main mitten because the finished fabric is less stiff and easier to wear.
These mittens have very little texture, so you don’t need to worry about stitches that stick out getting caught on things. The finished mittens are toasty warm and comfortable to wear.
Get the ad-free PDF for these mittens on Ravelry.
Join my Free Crochet Pattern Facebook Group here.
You don’t need to know how to knit to make a great pair of mittens!
Make these easy-to-crochet mittens with your favorite
bulky weight yarn and my free crochet mitten pattern!
Daddy’s Simply Easy Mittens
Supplies
- Yarn: King Cole Subtle Drifter Chunky (check your local yarn shop here). Find it online here. (affiliate link) 3.52 oz (100 g) and 164 yds (150 m). 69% Premium Acrylic, 25% Cotton and 6% Wool. Chunky Weight Yarn [5]. Machine wash warm (permanent press cycle), tumble dry cool (low heat).
- Colors: 2 skeins Midnight (Shade: 4669; Dye: 629749)
- Crochet Hook: 5 mm (H) Clover Amour (affiliate link)
- Finished Project: Mittens: 4.2 oz (120 g) and 197 yds (180 m)
- Scissors, Tapestry Needle (yarn needle), Stitch Marker (optional)
Yarn Substitutes:
King Cole Drifter Chunky can be substituted for King Cole Subtle Drifter Chunky.
The video tutorial was filmed using King Cole Big Value Tonal Chunky and it works equally well. (check your local yarn shop here). Find it online here. (Affiliate Link). Finished Project: Mittens: 3.87 oz (110 g) and 184 yds (167 m).
Difficulty Level
Easy
Finished Size
On a flat surface.
- Palm width approximately 5.5 inches across.
- Upper hand width approximately 4.75 inches across.
- Cuff width approximately 3 inches and length (before seaming) approximately 7 inches.
- Mitten length including cuff approximately 11.5 inches.
Gauge
Approximately 13 half double crochet per 4 inches and 11 rows in half double crochet per 4 inches.
You can substitute any yarn and hook for this stitch pattern – just remember when you substitute if your gauge is different, the finished size, and amount of yarn used for your project will also be different.
Abbreviations
- bl – back loop
- ch – chain
- hdc – half double crochet
- hdc2tog – half double crochet 2 together
- g- grams
- m – meters
- oz – ounces
- R – row
- Rnd – round
- RS – right side
- rem – remaining
- rep – repeat
- sk – skip
- sl st – slip stitch
- st/sts – stitch/stitches
- yds – yards
- * to **– Repeat the instructions between the asterisks the number of times indicated. This repeat will contain multiple instructions.
- [] – at the end of the row – the total number of stitches
- () – important notes AND sets of stitches to be worked within one stitch, or space
Helpful Tutorials
- Free Crochet Stitch Dictionary
- How to join a new ball of yarn
- Simple closing method for mittens
- Daddy’s Simply Easy Mittens Video
Notes:
- This chunky crochet mittens pattern begins by working the cuff. The cuff is worked in rows.
- Leave a 6-inch tail of yarn each time you start crocheting, or joining yarn to the project for weaving in purposes.
- The remainder of the mitten is worked in rounds, beginning at the edge of the cuff and continuing toward the fingertips. We leave a hole for the thumb and the thumb portion of the mitten is added after the main mitten portion is complete.
- Do not slip stitch to join or chain additional stitches unless it is written in the instructions below.
- Add this project to your Ravelry Library here
- The original Daddy’s Simple Easy Mittens were crocheted with 2 balls BERNAT Softee Chunky Twists Yarn and a 5.5 mm (I) crochet hook. 117 m/128 yds; 80 g/2.8 oz. This yarn has been discontinued. The written instructions are the same, only the type of yarn and hook size has been changed.
- Watch the full video tutorial for Daddy’s Simply Easy Mittens on YouTube here.
Daddy’s Simply Easy Mittens Pattern
This project is crocheted from the cuff to the top of the mitten in one piece.
Using your 5 mm (H) crochet hook (or size required for gauge):
Mitten Cuff
The mitten cuff measures approximately 7 inches in length and 3 inches in width.
R1: Ch 12, sk the first ch, 1 sc in each rem ch across, ch 1, turn. [11 sc]
R2-R25: 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 10 sts,1 sc in the last st, ch 1, turn. [11 sc]
Do not finish off.
Fold the cuff in half. You will seaming the cuff using a slip stitch seam. When folded, “R1” is on the top and “R25” is on the bottom. Slip stitch through the bl of the R25 st and the fl of the R1 ch, for each st across. [11 sl st]
Do not finish off. Proceed to the main mitten pattern below.
Main Mitten Pattern
The main mitten is added directly to the top edge of the cuff. I spaced mine by working 1 sc for each row end (not including the seam).
Rnd 1: Ch 1, work 1 sc in each row end of the cuff. [25 sc]
Rnd 2: 1 sc in the first st, 1 hdc in each of the next 3 sts, 2 hdc in the next st. *1 hdc in each of the next 4 sts, 2 hdc in the next st**. Work from * to ** around. [1 sc, 29 hdc]
Rnd 3: *1 hdc in each of the next 4 sts, 2 hdc in the next st**. Work from * to ** around. [36 hdc]
Rnd 4-Rnd 9: 1 hdc in each st around. [36 hdc]
Rnd 10: 1 hdc in each of the next 4 sts, 2 hdc in the next st, sk the next 10 sts, 1 sc and 1 hdc in the next st. *1 hdc in each of the next 5 sts, 2 hdc in the next st**. Work from * to ** one more time. 1 hdc in each rem st around. [1 sc, 29 hdc]
Note: we skipped those 10 stitches to make the thumb hole. We will be adding the thumb in this space at the end of the project.
Rnd 11: 1 hdc in each of the next 6 sts. Work 1 hdc around the next st (which is the sc) and into the st below it (see image below), sk the sc, 1 hdc in each rem st around. [30 hdc]
Rnd 12-Rnd 20: 1 hdc in each st around. [30 hdc]
Decrease Rounds to Shape the Top of the Mittens.
Rnd 21: Hdc2tog around. [15 hdc]
Rnd 22: 1 hdc in each st around. [15 hdc]
Rnd 23: Hdc2tog 7 times. 1 hdc in the last st. Sl st to the first st to join. [8 hdc]
Finish off leaving a 7 to 9 inch tail of yarn. Thread your yarn end on your needle and weave your yarn and through the loops of the final round, pull to tighten and then weave the yarn end in on the inside of the mitten. Please see this tutorial for assistance.
Adding the Thumb
Place the mitten on a flat surface with the thumbhole opening on the left-hand side of your crocheted work, attach the yarn to the furthest stitch on the right-hand side of the opening. This stitch already has 1 stitch in it from the main mitten. (see image below)
Rnd 1: Sl st to the right-most stitch to join, ch 1, 1 hdc in each rem st around. Sl st (we are counting this as a stitch) to the first ch 1 to join. [10 hdc and 1 sl st]
Rnd 2: 1 hdc in each st around; making your last hdc in the sl st join from Rnd 1. Sl st to the first st to join. [11 hdc]
Rnd 3-Rnd 7: 1 hdc in each st around. Sl st to the first st to join. [11 hdc]
Rnd 8: Sk the first st (where you have the sl st to join), 1 sc in each rem st around. Sl st to the first sc to join. [10 sc].
Finish off leaving a 6-inch tail of yarn for finishing. Thread your yarn end on your needle and weave your yarn and through the loops of the final round, pull to tighten and then weave the yarn end in on the inside of the mitten. Please see this tutorial for assistance.
Proceed to finishing instructions.
Finishing Instructions:
- Weave in any remaining yarn ends.
Repeat the instructions for a second mitten.
Are you looking for a smaller pair of these mittens?
Maggie’s Mitts and Maggie’s Mittens Video Tutorial
Mommy’s New Mitts with Video Tutorial
Grandma’s Mittens Free Pattern
Other Great Easy Crochet Mittens Patterns
Are you looking for a pair of warm baby mittens crocheted with Worsted Weight Yarn (Medium Weight Yarn)? This baby mitten pattern is available in 3 sizes and includes instructions to explain how to crochet easy baby mittens and how to attach a string from the side of the mitten to the side of the next mitten. That way the mittens won’t get lost if one mitt falls off.
This baby mittens pattern is crocheted with DK Weight Yarn (8-ply).
Easy-On Mittens: Baby Mittens, Toddler Size Mittens, Small-Child Size Mittens, Teen and Adult Size Mittens
Or browse through this free pattern collection that includes 20 free patterns for mittens.
For something a bit more challenging, you may want to try one of these Fair Isle Crochet Mittens patterns.
Did you make this project? Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram.
Find more great patterns on Pinterest.
Watch Daddy’s Simply Easy Mittens Video here:
Crochet Cheat Sheet | Magic Ring Tutorial | Invisible Join Tutorial | Double Magic Ring Tutorial
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Rhondda says
Hi Nicole, the cuff is approximately 8 inches after you include row 26. If you are measuring the gauge for the ribbed rows, 10 rows is 3 inches without being stretched. Hope this helps, Rhondda
Nicole says
How many inches should the cuff measure around before stitching the two sides together in round 26? Just seems a bit small I wanted to double check
Rhondda says
Thank you Jessica 🙂 I’m happy the pattern was easy to follow 🙂
Jessica Pearce says
Great pattern! Easy to follow and my mittens turned out great. I did need to downsize my hook to a 5mm from the suggested 5.5mm but they turned out perfect.
I’ll be sure to check out your other patterns!
Thanks!
Rhondda says
Hi Lisa, If you double check your gauge you will see if you need to decrease your hook size, or perhaps use a different yarn and hook combination to reach gauge. The finished measurement of the mittens when you match the gauge in the pattern is listed 🙂 Hope this helps, Rhondda
Lisa says
They turned out huge!!
Rhondda says
Hi Ivana, I’d try going down to a 5 mm (H). We need to get more stitches per inch to meet the pattern gauge: 11 hdc = 3 inches so 3.6 stitches per inch. At 11 hdc in 4 inches, you only have 2.75 stitches per inch. So the mitten will be very large. You may even need to go down to a 4.5 mm hook to reach the gauge to make your stitches tighter.
Hope this works for you!!
Ivana Rennie says
Hi,
I’m using Bernat Softy Chunky Gray Ragg and hook size 5.5 mm, and since my cuff seemed too big, I checked gauge. It’s 4 inches in 11 hdc. Thoughts?
Rhondda says
Hi Lisa, did you check your gauge? The mitts are based on gauge 11 hdc = 3 inches and 8 rounds of hdc = 3 inches
They measure the following when gauge is met:
8” length from wrist to finger-tip (the cuff adds an additional 2.75” to the length)
palm width: 5.75”
upper hand width : 4.5”
It sounds like your gauge was not as tight as mine using the Charisma Yarn. In order for the mitts to be the same size as the ones I crocheted you would need to have 11 hdc stitches in 3 inches and 8 rows of had in 3 inches. If you have less stitches per inch your mitten will be larger.
The only other thing I can think of is if you accidentally crocheted too many rounds – but this would only increase the overall length of the mitten, not the width.
I’m sorry you are having trouble with the pattern.
All the best, Rhondda
Lisa says
My men’s mitten came out huge. I used Charisma brand, bulky 5. It went very smoothly all the way through but I got a giant size mitten. What could I have done wrong?
Rhondda says
Hi Angie, I’m not sure I understand what you mean by lining the thumb up with the cuff seam? The thumb is crocheted right onto the mitten itself, it isn’t sewn on afterwards. I’m not sure what part of the thumb you need help with – just let me know and I can try to take another look 🙂 In the meantime, I did film a video for my other mittens and it includes the thumb part so you could see how I add the thumb to my mittens in that video (the stitches won’t be the same though since they are a different mitten). If you are using medium weight yarn you would need to use 2 strands held together. The mitten pattern is a bulky weight yarn [5]. Here’s the video I mentioned: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ns037MeyZho&feature=youtu.be All the best, Rhondda
Angie Andersch says
Hello Rhonda, Thank you so much for the free pattern. I made my first pair of mittens but need you help on how to line up the thumb with the cuff seam. They are off for me. Although this is charity work, I would like to do a better job. Also, can the pattern be adjusted to worsted yarn, #4 weight? I appreciate your help. Thanks.
Rhondda says
Hi Amanda, it is approximately 7.75 inches in length (circumference – so all the way around) and 2.75 inches in width. Hope this helps! Rhondda
Amanda says
I am substituting the yarn you specified for Paton’s Classic Wool “Roving”, in light of that can you tell me how long the chain 12 for the cuff should come out to? Inches or centimeters are both fine. Please and thank you!
Rhondda says
Hi Teresa, The cuff works the seam of the band immediately. You can alternately just work Round 1 of the main mitten around the edges of the cuff (like we did in the Mommy’s Mitts) and then whip stitch the cuff closed at the end of the project. I don’t have any additional images for this pattern – basically the cuff is being closed by working through both edges of the cuff with one final row of stitches – which you can do just as easily with a whipstitch at the end.
For Round 11 the hdc in the stitch below the 7th stitch is to cover up the small hole created in the thumb area. Basically you are working over the 7th stitch entirely to enclose it and close the small gap created when we skipped the stitches to create the thumb section and to give it a bit of extra support. You can work into the 7th stitch itself and then just use your yarn needle and yarn end to close any gap in that area.
I apologize for not getting back to you sooner. I have been taking a bit of time off to recover from an illness.
Wishing you the best,
Rhondda
Teresa says
I’ve followed your pattern for Mommy’s New Mitts twice and had great success! However, parts of this confused me and my first mitten with this pattern looks off from the picture…is there a video or more specific pictures for this that would help? I’m mostly confused by the continuation from the cuff to the mitten and in row 11 of the mitten the part that says to hdc below the 7th stitch. I’m worried the mitten came out wrong and I’m trying to make these as a gift for a friend. Thanks!
Rhondda says
Hi Amanda, No 🙂 You do not need to slip stitch to join or add additional stitches between the rounds. The stitches are short enough that you can continue working in rounds without the extra bulk or seam created by joining stitches 🙂 You will need a stitch marker of some kind to mark your place though – even a spare piece of yarn you can gently tie on the first stitch after you work it so you know when you reach the beginning of the round. Hope this helps! Rhondda
Amanda says
In the mitten part do you slip stitch your rounds together and chain 1 between rows, or do you just keep running your rounds together?
Rhondda says
Hi Sandra, All the patterns are printable 🙂 You can use the printfriendly button included at the top and bottom of the post to create a PDF copy to save or to print a copy – you can even choose to remove the images. Hope this helps, Rhondda
Sandra Applegate says
Is there a printable pattern for daddy’s easy simple mittens?
donna patriquin says
iam going to try this as i always have good luck with ur patterns i tried red hearts and did not come out and i tried one other should of just looked for u instead of wasting my time thanks
Rhondda says
Hi Ruth, No please do not finish off! You are forming the hole for the thumb. Keep your hook in the stitch you just worked and count out the 10 sts then fold the fabric to allow you to crochet into the next st (basically I flatten it so the last stitch worked and the next stitch you are going to work into are touching each other). It will leave a section of unworked stitches on the right-hand side where your thumb will be and you will continue working around the other stitches (all except those 10 you skipped) to continue making the mitten. Hope this helps! If not I will try to do a quick photo for it to add to the post. All the best, Rhondda
Ruth says
Hi, when you are making the hole for the thumb, how do you skip 10 stitches? Do you finish off before this step? Thanks.
kritina says
Thank you for this ~ but a video would make this so much easier for visual learners!
Kritina
Rhondda says
I hope he loves them!
Ingrid says
I can’t wait to make these for my fiancé 🙂
Rhondda says
Very welcome Deborah 🙂
Deborah says
I have been looking for a good mitten pattern. Thank you!
oombawkadesign says
Hi Lupe 🙂 The PDF version is available too – and it is a download and I was able to include some diagrams I wasn't able to add to blogger initially – so wherever you see the reference note, on the pdf there would have been a diagram or image. I'm happy you were able to make the mittens!! My husband still loves his pair! I have a women's version available now too if you were looking for a little bit smaller size – https://oombawkadesigncrochet.com/2014/01/momm…
The links to the PDF are at the bottom of the post on the Daddy's mittens – under scribd, ravelry and craftsy 🙂
Have a lovely day!
Rhondda
Lupe says
I love this pattern I was able to crochet my 1st pair of mittens. I don't understand where you put, "please see PDF version" am I missing somthing?