8 Fun, Free Patterns for Hand Warmers Using Scrap Yarn

Using leftover yarn saves serious $$; these knitting patterns for fingerless mitts, mittens and cuffs will also keep your hands warm

An odd season falls between March to April. In some parts of the United States, it’s still quite cold. In other parts (like my southern midwestern state of Oklahoma), the weather is a bit more volatile. Sometimes it’s bracingly chilly; other times it’s warm enough to truly feel like spring.

(And of course, in the southern US and other typically warm countries around the world, it’s blisteringly hot. Occasionally, though, you get cold weather… right?)

During this time of year, I tend to suffer from cold hands and/or fingers. Worse, this isn’t limited to when I’m outside. In fact, as I’m writing in my otherwise toasty house, I’m wearing mitts because my hands got cold.

Use Up Scrap Yarn to Keep Your Hands Warm

I have to confess that I’m a fingerless mitt addict. I’ve knitted more mitts than I can recall in my 11 years of knitting. Fingerless mitts patterns are some of my favorite knitting patterns they’re so handy indoors. (Pun not intended!) I love to allow my fingers freedom for typing, knitting, and just living in general.

Fingerless mitts aren’t always the best for keeping your hands warm outside. (Or, of course, for your fingers!) Obviously, mittens are better for this purpose. Convertible mitts — mitts with a flap that you can fold over your fingers — are excellent for this as well.

Cuffs don’t warm the hands, of course, but they can keep your wrists warm. They’re also super-cool looking. I also like that they can provide a little extra cushion for your wrists, especially if you spend a lot of time at a computer.

As a bonus, free fingerless mitts patterns, as well as mittens and cuffs, are terrific projects for scrap yarn. And using up leftover yarn is such a wonderful way to save money on knitting!

I love mitts, mittens, and cuffs for scrap yarn knitting because they’re usually small enough to not require much  yarn. Of course, if you use stripes or other kinds of colorwork, you need even less! All three also make wonderful charity projects.

The following are a collection of free patterns for fingerless mitts, mittens, and cuffs. All are particularly excellent for using leftover yarn.

Ideal Mitten Pattern for Scrap Yarn

Color Me Warm Mittens

• What you’ll need to make them: Leftover worsted weight yarn (preferably in many different colors); US Size 3 and 5 circular needles and/or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round

• Why you’ll want to: This pattern was written especially for using up yarn. One aspect about this pattern that I really appreciate is that it offers some great tips to using color in the most effective way. The mittens created from this pattern simply explode with color and delightful design.

Fabulous Fingerless Mitts Perfect for Scrap Yarn

Scrap Yarn Handwarmers

• What you’ll need to make them: Leftover worsted weight yarn (about a third or a half a skein); US Size 6 needles

• Why you’ll want to: If you’ve never made fingerless mitts before, especially with leftover yarn, this pattern is a great place to begin. They are knit flat–no circular knitting is required. The pattern also includes some helpful hints for using up leftover yarn.

Scrap Yarn Gloves

• What you’ll need to make them: About 100 to 110 yards of leftover worsted weight yarn; US Size 7 circular needles and/or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round

• Why you’ll want to: This pattern is seriously simple. It does require circular knitting, but it’s easy enough to be a great choice for beginners.

Maine Morning Mitts

• What you’ll need to make them: About 85 yards leftover worsted weight yarn; US Size 7 circular needles and/or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round

• Why you’ll want to: These beautiful and simple mitts are a fantastic choice for that pricey, luxurious single skein of yarn you bought on a whim that you don’t know what to do with. The simple lines of this design means that a beautiful yarn will shine through.

Malabrigo Hand Thingies

• What you’ll need to make them: About 100 to 115 yards of leftover worsted weight yarn; US Size 7 circular needles and/or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round; scrap yarn, a spare DPN, or stitch holder; stitch markers

• Why you’ll want to: Prefer mitts with a little more pizzazz? This pattern could be just the ticket, utilizing slipped stitches and pretty garter stitch cuffs.

ZigZag Fingerless Gloves

• What you’ll need to make them: About 140 yards of leftover worsted weight yarn; US Size 7 needles; tapestry needle

• Why you’ll want to: If you’re really inspired to try something different, you ought to check out this fantastic pattern! These mitts are knit flat and use an interesting stitch pattern that creates a truly breathtaking design.

Darling Cuffs to Keep Your Wrists Warm with Yarn Remnants

Pretty Twisted

• What you’ll need to make them: Small amounts of leftover fingering weight yarn (about 30 yards); US Size 1 needles (including at least 2 DPNs for I-cord creation); any pretty buttons you have on hand; sewing needle and thread

• Why you’ll want to: These cute cuffs are designed not only to show off the beautiful leftover yarn you’ve hung onto, but also any pretty buttons you’ve saved for a rainy day, too.

Odd Ends

• What you’ll need to make them: About 15 yards DK-weight yarn; US Size 8 needles; button about 1 inch in diameter; sewing needle and thread

• Why you’ll want to: Here’s another lovely cuff pattern that is especially enjoyable for truly luxurious leftover yarn. These cuffs have a modern, funky flair.

I hope these free fingerless mitts patterns (and more) have inspired you to use your leftover yarn — especially the really good stuff — to make some hand- and wrist-warming projects!