knitting tutorial Archives - Knifty Knittings

Hey friends! Who’s ready to knit these warm and cozy Waffle Knit Mittens? 🙋‍♀️

Cozy Waffle Knit Mittens in rich hues, showcasing a textured pattern and crafted with Hue and Me yarn. Ideal winter accessory for warmth and style, available in four sizes from child to adult. Perfect for chilly days and handmade comfort.

The Waffle Knit Mittens pattern offers a cozy and stylish accessory for colder days, combining the texture of the waffle stitch with the convenience of the magic loop knitting method. If you’ve been around for a bit, you may recognize these as my Broken Rib Mittens I made a while back for a sponsored post. Now, I’ve revamped the pattern using my favorite chunky weight yarn, Hue + Me, and included 4 different sizes for the whole fam!

The free pattern in this blog post will get you started knitting the Waffle Knit Mittens. However, for those who prefer a little more guidance, additional video tutorials that provide a step-by-step guide can be accessed through the purchase of the PDF knitting pattern OR the all inclusive knitting kit! Keep scrolling for the free pattern, or visit these links to purchase the printable PDF or kit.

PDF Pattern

Knitting Kit

About the kit

The curated kit includes everything you need to get started. Additionally, the video tutorials will walk you through each step on how to knit the Waffle Knit Mittens.

– 1 skein of Lion Brand Hue + Me yarn (80% acrylic/20% wool)
– US 9/5.5 mm 40″ circular knitting needles (optional)
– Yarn needle
– 2 stitch markers
– Scrap yarn
– Written pattern
– Video library access
– All packaged in a hand stamped project bag

This is a level 4 (intermediate to advanced) knitting kit. You should be familiar and confident with the knit and purl stitches, how to knit in the round using the magic loop method, and also basic increases and decreases.

About the pattern

This pattern is written in four sizes, ranging from child to adult. Particularly, the smallest size instructions are presented first, followed by the larger sizes enclosed in parentheses. It is knit using the magic loop method, though dpns can be substituted with the stitches divided equally across four needles.

Let’s get started!

Here’s are the details:

Yarn
39 (55) 60 (85) yds/36 (50.5) 55 (78) m Lion Brand Hue + Me or similar chunky (category 5) yarn

Needles
US 9/5.5 mm 40 in circular needle
(or size needed to obtain gauge)
Optional: Double pointed needles may also be used

Notions
2 Stitch markers
Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
Scrap yarn

Gauge
12 sts and 22 rnds = 4 in/10 cm in pattern

Sizes
Child S (Child M) Teen (Adult)
To fit age: 2-6 years (6-10 years) Teen (Adult)
To fit hand circumference: 6 (7) 7 (7.5) in/15.25 (17.75) 17.75 (19) cm

Abbreviations
CO – cast on
k – knit
k2tog – knit 2 together
m1L – make 1 left leaning increase
m1R – make 1 right leaning increase
p – purl
pm – place marker
rnd(s) – round(s)
sl – slip
sm – slip marker
ssk – slip, slip, knit slipped sts together
st(s) – stitch(es)

Pattern

Cuff:

Please note: Double pointed needles may also be used by dividing stitches evenly over 4 needles.

Using the magic loop method, CO 16 (20) 20 (24) sts with the long tail cast on and join in the rnd, being careful not to twist sts.

Work in k1, p1 rib for 6 (7) 7 (8) rnds.

Begin working in waffle knit pattern:

1^st rnd: Knit.

2^nd rnd: *k1, p1, repeat from * to end of rnd.

These 2 rnds form waffle knit pattern.

Repeat previous 2 rnds 0 (1) 1 (1) times more.

Thumb Gusset:

1^st rnd: k7 (9) 9 (11) sts, (now there is 1 st left on the front needle), pm, m1R, k1, m1L, pm, k to end of rnd (2 sts increased).

2^nd rnd: *k1, p1, repeat from * to 1 st before m, k1, sm, k1, p1, k1, sm, *k1, p1, repeat from * to end of rnd.

3^rd rnd: k to marker, sm, m1R, k to next marker, m1L, sm, k to end of rnd (2 sts increased).

4^th rnd: *k1, p1, repeat from * to end of rnd.

5^th rnd: Repeat rnd 3 (2 sts increased).

6^th rnd: *k1, p1, repeat from * to 1 st before m, k1, sm, [k1, p1] 3 times, k1, sm, *k1, p1, repeat from * to end of rnd.

Child S – continue to separate for thumb.

Child M and Teen sizes only:

7^th rnd: Knit.

8^th rnd: Repeat rnd 6

Teen size only:

Repeat rnds 7 and 8 once more.

Adult size only:

7^th rnd: k to marker, sm, m1R, k to next marker, m1L, sm, k to end of rnd (2 sts increased).

8^th rnd: *k1, p1, repeat from * to end of rnd.

9^th rnd: Knit.

10^th and 11^th rnds: Repeat rnds 8 and 9.

12^th rnd: *k1, p1, repeat from * to end of rnd.

Separate for thumb – All sizes:

Next rnd: k to marker and remove marker, place 7 (7) 7 (9) gusset sts onto scrap yarn. Remove next marker. Cast on 1 st using the backwards loop cast on. 8 (10) 10 (12) sts should be on each needle. k to end of rnd.

Next rnd: *k1, p1, repeat from * to end of rnd.

Next rnd: Knit.

Repeat previous 2 rnds until mitten measures 4.5 (5) 5.75 (6.5) in/11.5 (13) 14.5 (16.5) cm from the top of the cuff OR until the mitten measures .5 (.75) .75 (1) in/1.25 (2) 2 (2.5) cm less than desired length, ending after a k1, p1 rnd.

Decreases:

1^st rnd: *ssk, k4 (6) 6 (8) sts, k2tog, repeat from * once more (4 sts decreased).

2^nd rnd: *ssk, [p1, k1] 1 (2) 2 (3) times, k2tog, repeat from * once more (4 sts decreased).

Child M, Teen and Adult sizes only:

3^rd rnd: *ssk, k(2) 2 (4) sts, k2tog, repeat from * once more (4 sts decreased).

Adult size only:

4^th rnd: *ssk, p1, k1, k2tog, repeat from * once more (4 sts decreased).

All sizes:

Cut yarn, leaving an 8 in tail. Weave tail through remaining 8 sts and draw to close top of mitten.

Thumb:

Place the 7 (7) 7 (9) sts from scrap yarn onto needles. Pick up and knit 1 st from the cast on st edge.

1^st rnd: Knit.

Child S, Child M and Teen sizes only:

2^nd rnd: *p1, k1, repeat from * to end of rnd.

Adult size only:

2^nd rnd: *k1, p1, repeat from * to end of rnd.

All sizes:

Repeat previous 2 rnds 1 (2) 3 (4) times more.

Next rnd: *ssk, k 0 (0) 0 (1), k2tog, repeat from * once more.

Cut yarn, weave tail through remaining 4 (4) 4 (6) sts and draw to close top of thumb.

Turn mitten inside out, weave in all ends, and use the tail from the picked up st to close the gap near the base of the thumb. Repeat all steps for the second mitten.

I hope you enjoy knitting the Waffle Knit Mittens! Also, feel free to share it by pinning the image below. I’d love to see your projects on Instagram! Use the #kniftyknittings hashtag and feel free to tag me @kniftyknittings. Check out the matching headband kit here!

How to Add Length to a Knit Sweater

Happy Friday, friends! I’m glad you stopped by today, because I have a brand new (and slightly terrifying) knitting tutorial for ya!

In today’s post and video, I’m going to show you how I performed a little sweater surgery on a completed sweater to add in some extra length. Keep scrolling for the video tutorial!

During our Summer vacation last year, I started knitting The Weekender sweater pattern by Andrea Mowry (you can find it on Ravelry here). It’s such an enjoyable knit and I highly recommend it if you’re looking for a cozy and exciting knit!

I don’t usually take the time to knit a lot of personal projects, so I was very much looking forward to this one. It took me quite a while to narrow down which yarn to use. I ended up going with Cascade 220 Heathers in Straw, which you can find here. It is a wonderful workhorse yarn that doesn’t break the bank!

I finished my sweater just in time to wear for Fall, but unfortunately I knit it far too short! I was trying for 15 inches in length, but I think I assumed it would stretch more than it would during blocking. It ended up being more like 12 inches after blocking! Far too short for a girl with an extra long torso. 😅

If you’re not familiar with The Weekender, it’s knit in the round from the bottom up. It begins with a beautiful tubular cast on and features a split hem. Basically, the hem is pretty and complicated and I did not want to have to knit that again!

I had a couple of options to add length to my sweater. Rip out the hem, pick up the live stitches, add more length while knitting down (instead of up) and re-knit some kind of version of the hem. Or I could do some serious sweater surgery. If I picked up the live stitches and re-knit the hem, I knew having the stitches facing the opposite direction of the rest of the sweater would drive me nuts. So I shelved the sweater for a few months until I got up the nerve to do some surgery.

My plan was to cut the sweater just above the hem, pick up the live stitches above the hem and continue knitting for a few inches. Then, I would graft the two pieces of the body back together with Kitchener stitch.

Fun fact: I’ve never performed sweater surgery before. 😬 I’ve picked up my share of live stitches, and I’m quite experienced with Kitchener stitch, so I felt relatively confident I could do this. My main fear was that there would be a clear line where the two pieces were grafted together.

I documented the whole saga in the video below, and I think it went really well! My only road block was trying to graft the slipped faux seam that runs down the center of the front and the back of The Weekender. My solution was to not worry about it until the sweater was finished, then to use a duplicate stitch to fill in the gap created from the graft.

I think it turned out really well! I don’t feel like there are any real noticeable lines from the graft, and the fit is perfect! Mission accomplished.

Here are some of my tips and takeaways:

Definitely utilize lifelines. I’m usually one to wing it, but when it comes to grafting I do not want to have any dropped stitches to worry about.
Make sure you’re picking up the right leg of each stitch when placing the lifeline. This will ensure the stitches aren’t twisted.
Leave at least one full round between two lifelines so you have a little bit to unravel.
You may notice in the video after I place the stitches on my needle, I un-knit (or tink) backwards for several stitches. This is so I can have a long enough tail from the “old” yarn to weave in.
When grafting with Kitchener stitch, I do this very loosely. My preferred method is to go back and tighten up those stitches so they match the rest of my sweater’s gauge. Not too tight, not too loose!

Without further ado, here is the full step-by-step video!

I hope you found this tutorial useful, or at least interesting! I would love if you would share with your friends by pinning the image below!

knitting tutorial

About the kit

About the pattern

Let’s get started!

Pattern

Cuff:

Thumb Gusset:

Separate for thumb – All sizes:

Decreases:

Thumb:

How to Add Length to a Knit Sweater

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