Introduction

The Bumblebee Mitts are warm and cozy mittens with a nod to spring through the little embroidered bumblebees. The pattern includes both the classical mitten (also available in children’s sizes) or the fingerless version. The design is simple and can serve as a beginner-friendly project, with or without bumblebees.

The mittens are worked bottom-up (starting at the cuff). The adult sizes are worked on a 25cm/9in circular needle. The children’s sizes are worked with the magic loop method. The instructions can be easily adapted to be knit using different tools like double pointed needles.

The bumblebees are embroidered onto the mittens using a simple tapestry or darning needle.

Sizes

The Bumblebee Mitts come in 3 adult sizes:

• S: mitt circumference of 16.5cm/7.75in
• M: mitt circumference of 18cm/8.75in
• L: mitt circumference of 19cm/9.75in

How to choose your size: choose a size that’s close to your hand circumference. If you are in between sizes, pick the smaller size. The length of the mitten and thumb is adjustable to your preference.

These are the sizes of the Bumblebee Mitts for Kids:

• 3 – 5 years old: mitt circumference of 13.5cm/5.31in
• 6 – 8 years old: mitt circumference of 15.5cm/6.10in The pattern is written for a hand length of (11cm/4.33in, 13.5cm/5.31in) according to the standard body measurement charts by the Craft Yarn Council. The length of the mitten is adjustable to actual hand measurements if necessary.

Yarn

DK weight yarn. The sample mittens use 1 ball of 7 Veljestä (7 Brothers) by Novita (75% wool, 25% polyamide; 200m/218yds per 100g/3.5oz). The sample uses color 047: Lichen (light gray) for the fingerless mittens and color 064 False Morel for the classical mitten.

This is an indication of the yardage you need. Take note that a different type of yarn, or changes in length, can have an influence on the amount of yarn you need.

• For the fingerless mittens: (108, 117, 126) meters / (118, 128, 138) yards
• For the classical mittens: (128, 139, 140) meters / (140, 152, 164) yards

The Bumblebee Mitts for Kids require around (36, 40) grams / (1,27, 1,41) ounces of yarn when using 7 brothers yarn.

Gauge

22 stitches x 31 rounds per 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4 in in stockinette on 3.5mm needles (or needle size to obtain gauge with) after wet blocking.

Needles and tools

• Your preferred sock needles: 3.5mm circular needles: 80cm/32in or longer for the magic loop method OR 3.5mm circular needles: 25cm/9in and 80cm/32in or longer circular needles for the magic loop method OR 3.5mm double pointed needles
• 3 stitch markers
• A tapestry needle for weaving in the ends
• Waste yarn to put the thumb stitches on hold