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Willow Mittens Pattern

Willow Mittens Pattern
4.1★ Rating
2-4 Hours Time Needed
4.1K Made This
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Intermediate Level

Ideal for those with basic crochet experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

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Bite-Sized Project

Finishes in 2-4 hours—perfect for an afternoon of creative relaxation.

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Snug Essential

Everyday comfort with practical charm, designed for both functionality and style through changing seasons.

About This Willow Mittens Pattern

Willow Mittens is a versatile crochet mittens pattern worked in three steps: cuff, body, and thumb. The textured fan stitch gives an attractive, cozy surface while a folded rib cuff creates a comfortable fit. Written for five sizes (Baby, Toddler, Child, Teen/Adult, Large Adult) with clear notes for changes, this pattern is perfect for making matching pairs in different sizes.

Willow Mittens Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

The cuff is made flat and then joined to work the body in the round using a fan stitch pattern. Thumb shaping is created with a simple opening and worked in spiral for a neat finish.

Why You'll Love This Willow Mittens Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because the fan stitch creates a beautiful texture that looks much more complicated than it is. I enjoy how easy it is to customize the size by following the bracketed stitch counts for each size. The folded ribbed cuff gives a professional, finished look without extra fuss which I always appreciate. I also love that the mitten is worked in just a few sections — cuff, body, and thumb — making the process satisfying and quick from start to finish.

Willow Mittens Pattern step 1 - construction progress Willow Mittens Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Willow Mittens Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Willow Mittens Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love how easily you can customize these mittens by simply changing the yarn color and creating stripes or blocks for a playful look.

I like to try different yarn weights; swapping to a bulky weight with a larger hook gives a quick chunky mitten perfect for cold days.

I often make mini versions using fingering or sport weight yarn with a smaller hook to create cute keychain or ornament mittens.

Try lining the mittens with a soft fleece for extra warmth — just cut a mitten-shaped lining and hand sew it inside for a cozy finish.

I sometimes change the cuff style by making a longer rib or adding a folded decorative edge to vary the look and fit.

For a dressier option, I embroider simple motifs on the back of the mitten or sew on a wooden button at the cuff.

I also experiment with different stitch patterns: replacing the fan rows with shell stitches or simple bobbles can create a unique texture.

Want fingerless mitts? Stop before thumb shaping and add a thumb gusset or leave the top open for quick conversion to fingerless style.

I recommend trying contrasting yarn for the thumb to add a pop of color — it makes the mittens fun and easy to identify in a coat pocket.

Finally, I like making matching hats or cowls using the same fan motif to create a coordinated winter set that makes a lovely handmade gift.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Skipping the stitch marker when working in spiral rounds can make it easy to lose your beginning of round; place and move a stitch marker with each new round to stay oriented. ✗ Working the cuff too loosely will make the ribbing sloppy and loose on the wrist; maintain a slightly firmer tension on the cuff and block or fold to check gauge before joining. ✗ Forgetting to leave a long tail for seaming the cuff makes closure tricky; leave the recommended 10 inch tail when chaining the cuff so you can whipstitch the edges securely. ✗ Miscounting fans during the body rounds results in incorrect shaping and thumb placement; count each fan and refer to the bracketed totals after each round to confirm your stitch count.

Willow Mittens Pattern

Make cozy, textured Willow Mittens with a lovely fan stitch body and a ribbed cuff. This pattern includes clear step-by-step instructions for five sizes, from Baby to Large Adult, so you can make the perfect fit. Youll work the cuff flat, join to work the mitten body in the round, and finish with a neat thumb opening and closure. These mittens are stylish, warm, and make a wonderful handmade gift.

Intermediate 2-4 Hours

Materials Needed for Willow Mittens Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Any worsted weight yarn (#4): 120[130, 150, 170, 180] yards (sizes Baby [Toddler, Child, Teen/Adult, Adult L])
  • 02
    Suggested yarn: Loops & Threads Impeccable (worsted weight)
  • 03
    Suggested yarn: Red Heart with Love (worsted weight)

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook G-6 / 4.25mm
  • 02
    Tapestry needle for weaving in ends and gathering
  • 03
    Stitch marker to mark start/end of rounds

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Materials :

Infos :

- any worsted weight yarn/# 4: 120[130, 150, 170, 180]yds. Suggested yarn: Loops & Threads® Impeccable™, Red Heart with Love. - G-6 /4.25mm crochet hook. Gauge: 15SC/4" - Adjust your hook sizes to meet the gauge if needed.

Infos :

Legend: Ch-chain, St(s)-Stitch(es), SlSt-Slip stitch, SC-Single Crochet, DC-Double Crochet. SC2tog= SC decrease : insert hook into next st, YO and pull through st (2 loops on hook), insert hook into next st, YO and pull through st (3 loops on hook), YO and pull through 3 loops. Fan = (SC, DC, DC) all in the same stitch. Number within < > shows the total number of stitches/fan you should have after that row/round. 5 SIZES: Baby, Toddler, Child, Teen/ Adult, Large Adult.

— Overview :

Info :

These mittens are worked in 3 steps - the pattern contains three sections: 1- the cuff- is worked flat 2- the body of mittens - worked in the round -is started along the edge of the cuff 3- the thumb (the baby mittens are thumbless) Make 2 mittens: both mittens are worked in the exact same way, including the thumb shaping.

— Cuff :

Info :

-Directions are given for size Baby and the changes for Toddler, Child, Teen/Adult, Adult L are in parentheses, so: Baby [Toddler, Child, Teen/Adult, Adult L].

Row 1 :

Chain 8[9, 10, 11, 12], leaving a long tail (10inches) to seam the edges.

Row 2 :

SC in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. < 7[8, 9, 10, 11]>

Row 3 :

Ch1 ( does not count as a stitch), SC in first st, BLSC in each of next 5[6, 7, 8, 9] sts, SC in last st, turn < 7[8, 9, 10, 11]>

Info :

To obtain a nice edge, I prefer to make a standard SC( under both loops) in first and in the last st.

Row 4- :

Rows 3 – 18[ 20, 22, 26, 28 ] - repeat Row 2. You must have 18[ 20, 22, 26, 28] Rows. Fold cuff in half and join with a slip stitch, the last stitch with the first stitch of Row 1, to form the cuff. Do not cut the yarn.

Info :

Continue with the body of mitten - in the top side of the ribbing.

— Body :

Info :

- worked in the round, onto the edge of the ribbed cuff. - do not turn at the end of the rounds.

Round 1 :

Ch 1, working in row-end stitches of cuff, work evenly SC around the cuff edge, to obtain a total of 21[ 24, 27, 33, 36]SC, as follow: Baby ( Toddler) size: ch1, *SC in each of the next 5 (4) sts, 2SC in the next st*, repeat from *-* around, join with a Slst in Ch1. < 21(24) SC>.

Round 1 :

Child ( Teen/ Adult) size: ch1, 1SC ( 2SC) in first st, (SC in the next 3sts, 2SC in the next st) x 5(6) times, SC in last st, join with a Slst in Ch1. < 27(33) SC>.

Round 1 :

Large Adult size: ch1, (SC in next st, 2SC in the next st)x 2 times, *SC in the next 3 sts, 2SC in the next st* , repeat from *-*around, join with a Slst in Ch1. < 36 SC>.

Info :

The next rounds are worked in spiral (no slip stitch at the end of the round). Use stitch marker to keep track of start/end of rounds.

Round 2 :

Fan in first st, skip 2sts, * Fan in next st, skip 2 sts* repeat *-*around, < 7[8, 9, 11, 12]> Fan.

Info :

At the end of Round 2, Skip the last 2 sts.

Round 3 :

Fan in first SC of previous round (move st marker up as you work), skip next 2 DC. Continue with Fan in each SC of next fans. ( make a fan in SC and skip the 2DC, around). < 7[8, 9, 11, 12] Fan >

Info :

From now on, - each Fan is worked in SC of Fan of previous round, and the DC are skipped, unless otherwise specified. Continue depending on size:

Round 4-10 :

Repeat Round 3. <7 Fan> (Baby size)

Round 11-12 :

SC2tog around, in continuous rounds. Join with a slip st at the end of last row. < 6 SC>. Fasten off, leaving a 5"-6" tail for weaving in. The Baby mitten should now be finished.

Info :

Toddler [Child, Teen/Adult, Adult L] sizes -The following directions are given for size Toddler and the changes for Child, Teen/Adult, Adult L are in parentheses, so: Toddler [Child, Teen/Adult, Adult L].

Round 4-5[ 6, 7, 7 ] :

Repeat Round 3 < 8[ 9, 11, 12] Fan >

Info :

In next round, make the opening for the thumb:

Round 6[7, 8, 8] :

Fan in first SC of previous round, skip the 2 DC, SC in the SC of the next fan, chain 3, skip the 2 DC and the next 2 Fan (for thumb hole), continue with Fan in each SC of next fans. < 5[ 6, 8, 9] Fan and 1 SC before the Chain3 >

Round 7[8, 9, 9] :

Fan in first SC of previous round, skip the 2 DC, Fan in the SC before the Chain3, Fan in the second chain of Chain3, Fan in each SC of next fans. < 7[8, 10, 11] Fan >

Round 8[9, 10, 11] -12[ 14, 17, 18 ] :

Fan in each SC < 7[8, 10, 11] Fan >

Round 13[ 15, 18, 19 ]-14[ 16, 19, 20 ] :

SC2tog around, in continuous rounds. Join with a slip st at the end of last row. 6[ 6, 8, 9 SC]. Fasten off, leaving a 5"-6" tail for weaving in. See thumb instructions below.

— Thumb :

Info :

Round 1: Pull up a loop on the mitten side of the hole, ch1 and SC in the same space, 4[4, 5, 5]SC across the top of thumb hole, 1SC into the space on the other side of thumb hole, 4[5, 5, 6]SC across the bottom of thumb hole. <10[11, 12, 13]SC> Do not join, the next rounds are worked in spiral (no slip stitch at the end of the round).

Round 2 - 5 [6, 9, 10] :

SC in each SC around. <10[11, 12, 13]SC>.

Round 6 [7, 10,11] :

SC2tog around, SC in last stitch for sizes Child and Adult L. Join with a slip st. Fasten off, leaving a 4"-5" tail for weaving in.

— Assembly :

Info :

- Using the long tail of the cuff section, seam the edges of the cuff by whip stitching through the SC and the base of the starting chain. Secure and weave in ends.

Info :

- Use a tapestry needle to gather the end of the mitten and the end of the thumb closed: go through the front loops only of every stitch around and weave in. Secure the tail.

Info :

Congratulations! You have your WILLOW mittens!

Assembly Instructions

  • Fold the cuff in half and join the last stitch with the first stitch of Row 1 to form the cuff; do not cut the yarn so you can continue to the body.
  • Using the long tail left when chaining the cuff, seam the edges of the cuff by whip stitching through the SC and the base of the starting chain, then secure and weave in the ends.
  • After finishing the mitten top, use a tapestry needle to gather the end of the mitten by going through the front loops only of every stitch around and pull tight to close; weave in and secure the tail.
  • Close the thumb by using the long tail left from the thumb and gathering through the front loops around the thumb top; weave in and secure the tail.

Important Notes

  • 💡Use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of each round when working in spiral so you can track rounds and fan placement accurately.
  • 💡Do not turn at the end of the rounds when working the body; the rounds are worked in a spiral for a continuous fabric.
  • 💡Leave the recommended long tails for seaming the cuff and for closing the top of the mitten and thumb to make assembly and finishing easier.
  • 💡Check your stitch counts after each round against the bracketed totals to ensure correct shaping and thumb placement.

These Willow Mittens are designed to become your go-to cozy accessory this season, blending texture and comfort in every stitch. Make matching pairs for family members or create a set of different colors to brighten a chilly day. The pattern is versatile and easy to personalize, making it a perfect gift or a special treat for yourself. 🧶 Stay warm and happy crocheting! 🧵

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FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

Sizes are given as Baby, Toddler, Child, Teen/Adult, and Large Adult; finished dimensions will vary depending on yarn and tension, so check gauge and compare to intended wearers measurements.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

Yes, you can, but your finished size will change; if you use a different yarn weight, adjust the hook size and check gauge to achieve the desired fit.

Do I need prior crochet experience for this pattern?

This pattern is rated intermediate and assumes you are comfortable with single crochet, double crochet, back loop work, working in the round, and basic decreases.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

Most crocheters complete a pair of mittens using this pattern in about 2-4 hours, depending on size and experience level.