Free Baby Mitten Knitting Patterns

Keep tiny hands warm with free baby mitten knitting patterns, from simple no-thumb mitts for little babies to cosy textured mittens and designs included in matching baby sets.

Baby mittens are small, quick projects that use very little yarn, making them useful for handmade gifts or for using yarn left over from a matching cardigan, hat or sweater.

Find the Right Baby Mitten Pattern

For newborns: Look for small, soft mitts designed specifically for tiny hands.
For an easier knit: No-thumb baby mittens have particularly simple construction and don’t require separate thumb shaping.
For premature babies: Choose a preemie pattern or matching set specifically designed in smaller proportions.
For extra warmth: Look for thicker yarns and cosy textured stitches.
For a matching gift: Try a pattern that coordinates the mittens with a knitted baby hat, cardigan or other garment.

Do Baby Mittens Need Thumbs?

Not necessarily.

Many mittens designed for newborns and young babies are made without separate thumbs. This keeps the construction simple while creating a little knitted covering for the entire hand.

Patterns intended for older babies and children are more likely to include thumb shaping, which gives the mitten a more traditional fit.

Check the intended age and finished measurements before choosing your pattern, as baby and children’s mitten construction can be quite different.

Are Baby Mittens Easy to Knit?

A basic pair of no-thumb baby mittens can be a very manageable small project.

Depending on the pattern, you may practise ribbing, increasing, decreasing, shaping and either knitting in the round or working flat and sewing a seam.

Mittens with separate thumbs or more complicated stitch patterns require a little more work, but their small size makes them a practical project for developing new skills.

Choosing Yarn for Baby Mittens

Choose a yarn that feels soft against delicate skin and suits the warmth required.

Because mittens are so small, they’re also useful for using a little yarn left from another baby project. This can be particularly handy if you want to make mittens that coordinate with a hat, cardigan or sweater.

Follow the individual pattern’s recommended yarn weight and gauge to ensure the finished mittens are appropriately sized.