Simple Shells Mittens

This pattern is for a pair of mittens using crochet shells and also ribbing.  They are worked from the wrist up to the fingers, and the thumb is added on last.

I used worsted weight yarn and a size I hook for my mittens, but I would recommend using a size G or H hook for the cuff, especially if your wrists are on the smaller side.  My cuff stretched out more than I expected after I started wearing my mittens and it didn't feel as snug as I would have liked.  I fixed mine by adding an extra row around the cuff to tighten things up a bit (it is shown in the picture and also written into the pattern, so using a smaller hook size for the cuff is entirely optional).   You may also decide you like the way your mittens fit without tightening them up at all.  This is great, too!

I don't currently have any gauge information, however when you are finished your first couple rows of the cuff, slide it onto your wrist and if it fits comfortably and snugly around your wrist your hook size is fine!  If it's too large, go down a hook size, and if it's too small, go up a hook size.

This pattern requires the use of Foundation Single Crochet. This is used around the cuff, because a chain is not very elastic. I know some people aren't familiar with this technique or haven't perfected it yet, but I highly suggest giving it a shot! There are awesome youtube tutorials out there!  I also use standing single crochet in the pattern.

We will be starting with the Cuff!  You can make the cuff longer or shorter than mine if you

would like, just add more rows if you want!


Row 1:  Foundation single crochet x24.  We will be working in the round, so join to first

foundation sc with a slip stitch.  Make sure not to twist the row before joining!

Row 2:  Ch 1, hdc in same stitch and in each stitch around (24 hdc)

Rows 3-7:  Ch 1, fphdc around same stitch, bphdc around the next stitch.  Continue alternating

(fphdc, bphdc) around, ending in a bphdc.  Join to first fphdc with a slip stitch. (24 st)

The cuff is complete, so if you used a smaller hook size for the cuff you can switch to the

bigger size now.

Row 8: ch1, sc in same stitch (sk 1 st, 5 dc in next stitch (forms shell), sk 1 stitch, sc in

next stitch) x6, excluding the last sc of the last repeat. slip stitch into the first sc of

the round

Row 9-12: Slip stitch up to the 3rd (middle) stitch of the first shell.  Ch1, and sc in same

stitch. Skip the next 2 stitches of the shell.  (5dc into next sc *between shells*, sc in 3rd

stitch of next shell)x 6, excluding the sc in the last repeat. slip stitch into the first sc

of the round.

Row 13:  Skip the next 2 shells and the sc between them.   slip stitch into the next sc.

(this forms the thumb hole).  Sl st up into the 3rd (middle stitch) of the shell.   Ch 1, sc

in same stitch.  Skip next 2 stitches of the shell.  (5dc into next sc *between shells*, sc in

3rd stitch of next shell) x 3.  5 dc in the middle of the newly created thumb-hole, sl st into

first sc of the round.  You will now have 4 shells around, instead of 6.

Rows 14-20:  (Basically continue the shell pattern as before.  I'll include the detailed

instructions in case anyone hasn't memorized his part yet.  You can also use more rows if you

have longer fingers!)

Slip stitch up to the 3rd (middle) stitch of the first shell.  Ch1, and sc in same stitch.

Skip the next 2 stitches of the shell.  (5dc into next sc *between shells*, sc in 3rd stitch

of next shell)x 4.  Exclude the sc from the last repeat and slip stitch into the first sc of

the round.


Row 21:  ch 1, sc2tog working into same stitch *first sc of row* and the 3rd stitch of the

next shell. (sc2tog, working into next sc and the third stitch of the following shell) x 3.

Sl st into first sc2tog of row.  Bind off.  This should sufficiently close the end of the

mitten, but if you feel it's too open, feel free to use the yarn tail to stitch things

together a little more snugly.



Thumb:

Row 1 of thumb:  Join with a standing sc into any stitch around the thumb hole (there should

be 11.  5 stitches in each shell, and the sc between them).  Sc into each stitch around and

join to the first sc with a sl st.   (11 sc)

Row 2: ch 1, sc into the same stitch and the next 8 st.  sc2tog in the last 2 sc of the row.

Join to first sc with a sl st. (10 st)

Row 3-7: sc into each stitch around

Row 8:  sc2tog around. Bind off, and use the yarn tail to sew the remaining gap closed.  Then

tie in your ends.


Optional row to make the cuff tighter:  Join with a standing crochet in any stitch around the

cuff. sc in next stitch, sc2tog using the next 2 stitches.  Repeat this pattern (sc in 2

stitches, sc2tog) around so your total number of stitches in the row ends up being 18. Then

add one more row of sc around.

You're done!  Please share your pictures with me!