It’s hard to put into words how much knitting mittens means to
me. The symbolism of warm hands, holding hands, hands reaching out, offering a hand to another. Friends I’ve made through knitting mittens. I’ve been thinking again recently about that imagery of mittens and the power of hands. I thought, too, about a little cup motif I’d sketched and knit into so many mittens and how sharing a cup of something warm to drink holds meaning, too.

This pattern was originally offered as a mitten “recipe” on our farm blog, in three parts, with lots of tips and hints for customizing it. These posts are on the blog still, and I encourage you to go and take a look if you’re wanting more detailed instructions, if you want to make the pattern in a different size, with different yarn or if you just need cheering on to get started!

The mitten is worked from the cuff to the fingers, in the round. Choose a rolled edge, garter or traditional ribbed cuff. A small amount of colorwork creates the cup motif, fully charted for left and right mittens. An afterthought thumb makes the shaping and finishing very simple. If thumb gussets have tripped you up in the past, the afterthought thumb might give your mitten knitting new meaning!

Sample Yarn shown is Brown Sheep Lambs Pride Worsted (MC) and our own Corriedale farm yarn, a light worsted (CC) Approximate yardage was about 135 yards (MC) and about 50 yards (CC) Sample Gauge was 19 stitches over 4 inches, in the round, on size US 5 needles Size is easily customizable by adding length, or using different yarn or needles; this will change the amount of yarn needed

I hope you’ll just relax and make the mittens…they’re sure to fit someone you know!

With my heartfelt thanks to the three women who helped make this version of the mitten possible (you know who you are!), I intend for the pattern to remain free, but it would mean so much if you might consider making a donation to your local food pantry (possibly even donating some really good coffee, tea or hot cocoa - something these pantries often don’t receive) in lieu of payment. I’d love to see your version of the mittens, please tag me @mywoolmitten and use the hashtag #shareacupmittens