13 Delightful Free Convertible Mitts Patterns for Warm Hands

Do you enjoy both fingerless mitts and mittens? Why choose? Get both with convertible mitts!

My hands are frequently cold. Do you have this problem as well? Even in the middle of summer I have this issue, because I tend to frequent places during the summer where the air conditioning is cranked so low that my hands freeze.

Because my hands are often cold, I like to keep fingerless mitts or gloves with me nearly all the time.

But in the winter, I prefer another kind of hand covering: convertible mitts.

In case you’ve never heard of “convertible mitts,” allow me to explain. These are fingerless mitts or gloves that also provide a way to keep the fingertips completely covered.

This keeps you from having to carry around two different pairs of hand coverings, one for inside when you need to use your fingers, and one for outside when you just need to stay warm.

I’ve found that convertible mitts tend to come in one of four different styles.

1) Fingerless mitt with a flap that closes over the fingers
2) Mitten with an opening near the palm to allow the fingers to go free as needed
3) Extended fingerless mitt, where the extension folds down to allow the fingers freedom
4) Fingerless glove (i.e., with separate fingers) with a flap that closes over the fingers

So below I’ve listed each of the four categories, with several patterns that fit into each category. And at the very end, I’ve offered a simple solution to one difficulty I often find with convertible patterns.

Enjoy!

Convertible Mitts Patterns: Fingerless Mitt + Flap

Manly-Man Man Mittens

• What you’ll need to make them: 220 yards worsted weight yarn; US Size 6 circular needles and/or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round (though you will need 2 DPNs for knitting I-cord); tapestry needle; scrap yarn; 2 buttons

• Why you’ll want to: This pattern is super-simple: straight stockinette throughout, aside from the ribbed cuff. You’ll also creates little loops of I-cord at the tops of the flaps that can be buttoned down to keep the flaps out of the way when the fingers are uncovered.

Brier Twist

• What you’ll need to make them: 185 yards worsted weight yarn; US Size 6 & 7 circular needles or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round; stitch markers; cable needle or spare DPN; tapestry needle; 2 buttons (optional)

• Why you’ll want to: A beautiful vine-and-leaf design emerges when you knit these convertibles. Another twist: you can knit this pattern as either straight fingerless mitts, or you can add the flap for convertibles.

Double Mitts

• What you’ll need to make them: 225 yards fingering weight / 165 DK weight / 225 yards worsted weight yarn; US Size 2 & 4 / 4 & 6 / 6 & 7 circular needles or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round; stitch holder / spare DPN / scrap yarn; small crochet hook; tapestry needle; 2 small buttons

• Why you’ll want to: This Frankie Brown special offers an innovative technique. Rather than knit the thumb last, like so many mitten patterns, you’ll knit the thumb first.

Crofton Mitts

• What you’ll need to make them: 150 to 220 yards worsted weight yarn; US Size 4 circular needles or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round; 2 spare DPNs; stitch markers; tapestry needle

• Why you’ll want to: The construction of this pattern is both clever and versatile. First, it has a thumb hole rather than a defined thumb. Second, it offers both a short-cuff and a long-cuff version. Finally, the design of the flap is ingenious. You’ll have to take a look to see what I mean.

Convertible Mitts Patterns: Mitten + Slit

Peekaboo Mitts

• What you’ll need to make them: About 190 yards worsted weight or about 215 yards DK weight yarn; US Size 7 (if using worsted weight) or Size 4 (if using DK weight) circular needles or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round; stitch holder, spare DPN, or scrap yarn

• Why you’ll want to: Perhaps the simplest of the bunch, this pattern offers both DK and worsted-weight versions. I love this pattern and have knitted it twice!

Playground Mittens

• What you’ll need to make them: About 100 yards worsted weight yarn; US Size 6 circular needles or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round; scrap yarn / spare DPN / stitch holder

• Why you’ll want to: Very similar to the previous pattern, but a key difference is that this pattern is just for children. (These would make a great charity project!)

Men’s Mittens

• What you’ll need to make them: About 300 yards fingering weight yarn; US Size 1.5 circular needles or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round

• Why you’ll want to: I like these because they are fully-ribbed throughout. Perfect for the man (or men) in your life. To access this pattern, scroll down to where it says “Direct PDF Download Here” and click the link.

Convertible Mitts Patterns: Extended Mitts

Rainbow Flip-Top Mitts

• What you’ll need to make them: 175 to 200 yards sport weight yarn; US Size 1 circular needles or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round

• Why you’ll want to: This pattern explains the concept perfectly. The “extended mitt” is one in which the top is very long. When the top is fully extended, it keeps your fingers covered. When you want your fingers free, simply fold the top back so that your fingers are uncovered. Genius!

Cute-as-a-Button Fingerless Mitts

• What you’ll need to make them: About 320 yards fingering weight yarn or 350 yards sport weight yarn; US Size 2 circular needles or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round; stitch holder, spare DPN, or scrap yarn; 2 3/8- or 1/2-inch buttons

• Why you’ll want to: Similar to the previous pattern, except it uses a button to keep the top folded-down portion nice and neat.

Convertible Mitts Patterns: Fingerless Glove + Flap

Broad Street Mittens

• What you’ll need to make them: 300 to 350 yards fingering weight yarn; US Size 2 and 3 circular needles and/or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round (you will, however, need 2 DPNs for knitting I-cord); tapestry needle

• Why you’ll want to: This Knitty pattern is probably the simplest and definitely the most popular pattern of the bunch. On the pattern’s Ravelry page, the designer explains how to mirror-image your knitting to make sure you have a right glove and a left glove.

Borough

• What you’ll need to make them: 200 yards worsted weight yarn; US Size 8 circular needles or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round; stitch markers; 4 buttons or toggles; US Size H crochet hook; scrap yarn; tapestry needle

• Why you’ll want to: Another Knitty pattern, these stylish mittens were designed especially for men, but many women will love their ruggedness too.

Chilly Podsters

• What you’ll need to make them: 200 to 230 yards of DK or worsted weight yarn; US Size 3 circular needles or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round; stitch markers; stitch holder, spare DPN, or scrap yarn; tapestry needle

• Why you’ll want to: I love how these fingerless gloves offer flaps not only for the fingers but also the thumbs!

London Eye Glittens

• What you’ll need to make them: About 220 yards worsted weight yarn; US Size 7 circular needles or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round; Size F crochet hook; cable needle or spare DPN; 2 shank buttons; stitch markers; scrap yarn; tapestry needle

• Why you’ll want to: If you’d like a design that are a little fancier, these convertibles are perfect for you! They feature beautiful cables on the backs of the hands.

The Trouble with Convertible Thumbs–and How to Solve It

So here’s one thing I don’t like about convertible mitts: most patterns feature either a closed thumb or an open thumb. That means you don’t have a choice with your thumb. It will be covered all the time, or it will be uncovered all the time.

A few patterns here are exceptions. But what if you want to use a pattern that isn’t an exception?

Fortunately, there’s a solution! Just knit the thumb longer than necessary, then cast off, leaving the top open. Then you can fold it down to free the thumb when needed, or leave it up and keep the thumb covered as necessary.

(I didn’t come up with this idea… and I wish I could remember where I found it!)

Are you ready to knit convertible mitts?