10 Delightful Free Knitting Patterns for Fingerless Mitts Kids Will Love

For the children and/or teens in your life, these free patterns for fingerless mitts and gloves make wonderful gifts as the weather gets colder

Back when my younger daughter was in elementary school, I was walking with her and noticed her covering her mouth with her hands and blowing on them in an attempt to warm them up.

I said to her, “It looks like you could use some mittens or gloves.” “Uh-huh!” she said, as she continued to try to warm up her poor chilly hands. 🥶

After chatting with her a bit about what she would like (she wanted fingerless gloves, with separate fingers), I went home and hit Ravelry in an attempt to find the perfect pattern for her smaller hands.

At the same time, I thought, “I’ll bet I’m not alone in an interest in fingerless mitt or glove knitting patterns for kids.” 🤔

So here is a collection of free knitting patterns for fingerless gloves and mittens for the young ones in your life. Whether you’re knitting for your children, your grandchildren, your nieces or nephews, or charity, I think you’ll find the perfect pattern below!

(And if you need fingerless gloves or mitts for yourself or another adult, take a look at these patterns or these, for convertibles!)

These patterns are divided in two sections: fingerless gloves (with separate fingers) and fingerless mitts (basically mittens with the tops chopped off).

Hobo Gloves for Small Hands

Bhren’s Fingerless Gloves

• What you’ll need to make them: 125 to 220 yards DK-weight yarn; US Size 4 circular needles or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round

• Why you’ll want to: This is the pattern that I chose for my younger all those years ago! It will fit bigger children and teenagers. I chose it not only because of the separate fingers (which she wanted), but also because the pattern uses DK-weight yarn, which I prefer for fingerless gloves.

Hooray for Me Gloves

• What you’ll need to make them: 345 yards fingering weight yarn; US Size 2 circular needles or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round

• Why you’ll want to: I’m absolutely fascinated by her method of using double knitting to make the fingers! This is another pattern for older children and teenagers.

Knucks

• What you’ll need to make them: 124 to 248 yards DK-weight yarn; US size 4 circular needles and/or DPNs, depending on how you prefer knitting in the round; crochet hook; stitch markers; embroidery supplies like needle and floss or other embellishments (optional)

• Why you’ll want to: Believe it or not, this incredibly popular fingerless glove pattern comes in a kid’s size, and it really does fit young children! This is still one of my all-time favorite fingerless glove patterns. The embroidery options are such fun.
  (The only reason I didn’t make these for my younger daughter was simply because I had made a lot of these at that point in time, and I wanted to try a different pattern!)

Leap!

• What you’ll need to make them: 140 to 225 yards fingering weight yarn; US Size 1.5 circular needles and/or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit them in the round

• Why you’ll want to: This simple, stockinette-stitch pattern was designed to showcase pretty yarn rather than a particular stitch pattern. What I particularly love about it is that it could become your all-purpose pattern! It’s available in a variety of sizes, and you can knit mitts, half-fingered gloves, or full-fingered gloves.

Fingerless Mitts for Minis

Just Enough Mitts

• What you’ll need to make them: 75 to 100 yards heavy worsted/light bulky-weight yarn; US Size 8 circular needles or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round

• Why you’ll want to: I like that this pattern creates a very small mitt, perfect for transitioning from summer to fall or winter into spring. I also like the seed stitching. This is a good pattern for bigger children or teenagers, too.

Tween to Teen Fingerless Mitts

• What you’ll need to make them: 100 yards bulky weight yarn; US Size 8 circular needles or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round

• Why you’ll want to: I am a big fan of ribbing when it comes to knitting for kiddos, because I always worry about fit! These will be nice and snug for older children up to teenagers, and as a bonus, it’s entirely unisex.

Half-Pint Fingerless Gloves

• What you’ll need to make them: 155 yards heavy worsted/light bulky-weight yarn; US Size 8 circular needles or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round

• Why you’ll want to: If you were beginning to wonder when patterns for younger children would show up? They start right here! These adorable mitts featuring a delightful moss stitch texture are perfect for toddlers on up. As a bonus, there’s a set of directions for matching mitts for mama, too.

Zigzag Fingerless Gloves

• What you’ll need to make it: 142 to 154 yards worsted weight yarn (divided evenly into two colors); US Size 7 needles; tapestry needle

• Why you’ll want to: If you don’t mind a little seaming, these delightful mitts are sure to be a hit with absolutely everyone you knit them for! You can make these for children as well as adults — everyone will love the fun zigzag design.

Glove Bites

• What you’ll need to make them: About 100 yards heavy worsted/light bulky yarn, and a small amount of super-bulky yarn (something super fluffy or fuzzy; take a look at the Ravelry Projects page for an idea of the sort of yarn you want); US Size 10.5 circular needles or DPNs

• Why you’ll want to: I love these stylish mitts that fit older children and teenagers; they feature fun ruffly cuffs.

Lightweight Lolita

• What you’ll need to make them: About 100 yards of DK-weight yarn; US Size 3 to 5 needles; tapestry needle; ribbon or colored elastic (optional)

• Why you’ll want to: This lovely pattern for older girls features both eyelet lace and pretty ties (that are entirely optional, if the intended recipient would rather not). You can even make a matching cowl with the accompanying pattern.

Why not join me in knitting for kids, with one or more of these free patterns?