Crocheted Mitten Instructions

Each year compassionate women take their crochet hooks out and dive into the creation of mittens. These tender offerings are then sent to children and adults in need, where their soft touch will help warm hands and gladden hearts.

Crocheted Mitten Instructions

Basic Crocheted Mittens

Abbreviations:

ch = chain                                         sl st = slip stitch                    st(s) = stitch (stitches)

sc = single crochet                           tbl = through back loop

 

sc2tog = single crochet 2 stitches together. This is a decrease stitch (Insert hook into next stitch, yarn over, pull loop through to the front of work, insert hook into next stitch, yarn over, pull loop through to the front, yarn over and pull through all three loops on the hook.)

 

The Pattern for small (medium, large) mittens

Row 1: Using size G hook ch 7(9, 11) sts. Turn, skip first stitch, 1 tbl sc into the remaining

6(8, 10) sts.

Row 2: Turn, ch 1 (this is a turning chain, do not count as a stitch), 1 sc tbl into each st across. 6(8, 10)

Row. 3: Repeat row 2 20(26, 30) more times. 21(27, 31) rows worked, not including the foundation chain.)

 

Fold the ribbing in half and line up the short edges. Your crochet hook will be to the right, and in the row behind the beginning yarn tail. Slip stitch these rows together by inserting your hook into the back loop of the foundation chain and then through the back loop of the stitch directly behind it, yo and pull loop through to front of work and through loop on hook. Repeat across row.  Do not fasten off. Turn ribbing tube so that the sl st row is to the inside. You will now stitch into the edges of the previous rows.

 

Round 1: Make 23(28, 33) sc sts, equally spaced, around top edge of ribbing.

Round 2: 1 sc into each of the next 10(12, 15) sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next 2 sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next 9(12, 14) sts. 25(30, 35) sts.

Round 3: 1sc into each st around.

Round 4: 1 sc into each of the next 11(13, 16) sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next 2 sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next 10 (13, 15) sts. 27 (32, 37) sts.

Round 5: 1 sc into each st around.

Round 6: 1 sc into each of the next 12(14, 17) sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next 2 sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next 11(14, 16) sts. 29(34, 39) sts.

Round 7: 1 sc into each st around.

Round 8: 1 sc into each of the next 13(15, 18) sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next 2 sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next 12(15, 17) sts. 31(36, 41) sts.

Round 9: 1 sc into each st around.

Round 10: 1 sc into each of the next 14(16, 19) sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next 2 sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next 13(16, 18) sts. 33(38, 43).

NOTE: For small size only: skip to round 18 after completing this round.

Round 11: 1 sc into each st around.

Round 12: 1 sc into each of the next (17, 20) sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next 2 sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next (17, 19) sts. (40, 45) sts.

Round 13: 1 sc into each st around.

NOTE: For medium size only: skip to round 18 after completing this round.

Round 14: 1 sc into each of the next 21 sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next 2 sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next 20 sts. (47)sts.

Round 15: 1 sc into each st around.

Round 16: I sc into each of the next 22 sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next 2 sts, 2 sc into the next st, 1 sc into each of the next 21 sts. (49)sts.

Round 17: 1 sc into each st around.

Round 18: 1 sc into each of the next 12(14, 17)sts, skip the next 10(12, 15)sts (for thumb), 1 sc into each of the next 11(14, 17) sts, around hand, not including thumb.

Round 19: 1 sc into each st around. 23 (28, 33)

Round 20: Repeat round 19:  9(13, 17) more rounds.

Alterations (for different sizes)

For Small Size Only:

Next round: [1 sc into each of the next 6 sts, sctog] 2 times, 1 sc into each of the next 5 sts, sc 2tog (20 sts).

Next round: [1 sc into each of the next 3 sts, sc2tog] 4 times (16 sts).

Next round: 1 sc into each st around

Next round: sc2tog 8 times (8 sts).

Fasten off with a 10” tail. Thread yarn tail through the front loop of the remaining 8 sts and pull tight. Weave in ends.

 

For Medium Size Only:

Next round: [1 sc into each of the next 5 sts, sc2tog] 4 times (24 sts).

Next round: 1 sc into each st around (24 sts).

Next round: sc2tog 12 times (12 sts).

Next round: 1 sc into each st around (12sts).

Next round: [1 sc into the next st, sc2tog] 4 times (8 sts).

Fasten off with a 10” tail. Thread yarn through the front loop of the remaining 8 sts and pull tight. Weave in ends.

 

For Large Size Only:

Next round: sc2tog [ 1 sc into each of the next 9sts, sc2tog]3 times (30 sts).

Next round: 1 sc in each st around.

Next round: [1 sc into each of the next 3 sts, sc2tog] 6 times (24 sts).

Next round: 1 sc into each st around.

Next round: sc2tog 12 times (12 sts).

Next round: 1 sc into each st around.

Next round [ 1 sc into in next st sc2tog] 4 times (8sts),

Fasten off with a 10” tail. Thread yarn tail through the front loop of the remaining 8 sts and pull tight. Weave in ends.

Thumb

Join yarn to any thumb stitch and make 10(12, 15) sc around.

1 sc into each st around 5(7, 9) more rows. Next row: sc2tog 5(6, 8) sts left.

Fasten off with a 10” tail. Thread yarn tail through the front loop of the remaining  5(6, 8) sts and pull tight. Weave in ends.

For printable instructions, click here.

Yarn Ball Instructions

What child wouldn’t love learning with a fun and fluffy educational toy?  Imagine the joy and laughter of a young child as they catch one of these delightful balls.  Yarn balls make a great sensory toy and can be donated to children enrolled in early intervention programs throughout your community.

Yarn Ball Instructions


Step 1: While pulling yarn from center of skein, wrap one skein or yarn around frame.

Step 2: Take elastic and tie around center of yarn TIGHT!!

Step 3: Cut outside edges of yarn. Completed ball will fall through opening of frame.

For printable instructions, click here.

Beanie Bunny Instructions

These cuddly handmade stuffed animals will bring comfort and joy to children who are taken from their homes or are in other crisis circumstances.

Helpful Hints

-Please try to hide knots between the layers of felt so the knot does not show on the outside.

-If any pieces of felt have ink tracing marks on them, please turn them over so they don’t show.

-Use a single strand of thread for the entire project.

-Make stitches small and ¼ inch apart.

Whip Stitch 

Put pieces of fabric together. Insert the needle between the two fabrics and poke your needle through the top fabric. Angle the needle so that it comes out the top layer next to the first stitch and pull tight. Repeat so that the stitches on the outside look straight. 

Directions 

Place funnel into sock. Pour one heaping 1/3 cup of split peas into sock.  Remove funnel.  Keep stuffing fluffy by gently pulling on stuffing. Insert stuffing into sock, kneading the outside of the sock after each addition.  This helps produce a smoother surface.  Use all of the stuffing. 

Gather the top of the sock, above the stuffing.  Stretch and loop the elastic band twice over the top of the sock, securing it right above the stuffed head. The heel of the sock will be the bunny’s face.  The smallest felt heart is the nose.  Place the bottom of the nose over the top edge of the teeth. Poke the needle up through the teeth and the nose, keeping the knot on the underside.  

Place into middle of the heel and, with a whip stitch, attach nose and upper part of teeth to the sock.  The bottom of the teeth won’t be tacked down. Place eyes over the tip of the nose.  Float needle under nose, coming out at the top of the nose and through the edge of the eyes. Whip stitch around the eyes, being careful to keep stitches small and spaced ¼ inch apart.  Float needle under the eye, coming up through one of the eye centers.  Push needle and thread up through small, black pom-pom then back down through pom-pom securing it to eye center.  Float needle under felt to other eye and repeat.   Knot off thread and clip close to knot.

Float needle under the eye, coming up through one of the eye centers.  Push needle and thread up through small, black pom-pom then back down through pom-pom securing it to eye center.  Float needle under felt to other eye and repeat.   Knot off thread and clip close to knot.

To make whiskers: (Note: If using a black sock, please use white thread for the whiskers.) Knot the thread ¾ inch from the thread end. Insert needle ¾ inch off the side of the nose towards the top. Without pulling needle through, bring needle up through sock ¼ inch from knotted end.  Reinsert needle next to nose edge coming up underneath felt and floating the needle under nose, coming out on the opposite side of nose. Pull needle and thread through.

Repeat in reverse on opposite side of nose, knotting thread and clipping ¾ inch from knot, leaving another whisker. Repeat at the middle and the bottom of the nose.

Ribbon:

Girl:  Tie ribbon in a double knot, snugly around neck. Next, tie a bow. Cut ends of the ribbon at a slant.

Boy: Tie ribbon in a double knot, snugly around neck. Next, tie ribbon like a neck tie.

1. Make certain that one side of ribbon is twice as long as the other.

2. Cross long end over short end and back underneath.

3. Continue around passing long end across front of short once more.

4. Pass side end up through loop

5. Holding front of knot loose with index finger, pass long end down loop in front.

6. Remove finger and tighten knot carefully. Draw up tight to neck by holding shorter end and sliding knot snug.

Heart/Basketball:

Place heart/basketball on bunny’s chest, about ½ inch down from neck. Whip stitch to the sock.

For basketball: Stitch basketball lines onto orange circle (refer to photo). Keep stitches loose.

Lay bunny down on its back. Flatten excess sock/ears. Cut down the center through both layers, leaving ½ inch uncut above elastic band. Next, take each ear and shape the top of the ear by clipping a small, rounded triangle from each side of the ear.

Attach the pom-pom tail to the back of the bunny with four stitches, one on each side of the pom-pom.  The black thread will not show when the stitches are firmly pulled through the pom-pom.  Take one final stitch through just the sock, under the tail, before knotting it off. Clip thread.

For printable instructions, click here.

Felt Backpack Instructions

Help a young child get a jump start on learning with these handmade felt backpacks. They are designed to spark the imaginations of our youngest learners.

Felt Backpack Instructions

Helpful Hints

• Please try to hide knots between the layers of felt so the knots do not show on the outside. 
• Use a ¼ inch running stitch throughout the project unless otherwise noted.

Running Stitch

• A running stitch is a series of short, even stitches with short, even spaces between them.
•  Begin by weaving the point of needle in and out of the fabric, catching all fabric layers, two or three times along the stitching line; then pull the needle and thread through the fabric.  Repeat.      
  
  

Whip Stitch

• Put two pieces of fabric together with the right sides facing out.  Insert the needle between the two fabrics and poke your needle through the top fabric.  This will place your knot between the two layers of fabric.  
•  Next insert the needle through the bottom layer of fabric.  
•  Angle the needle so that it comes out the top layer next to the first stitch and pull tight. Repeat so that the stitches on the outside look straight. Usually four to five stitches. 

Directions

1. Top Flap

Fold top flap over to just above top slits for arm strap. Sew across edge, up side, across top and down both sides.

2.  Looped Handle Hanger

Fold in half lengthwise and sew down both sides. Make a loop, and overlapping ends, sew together.

On the top back of the pack between the straps and on the seam across where the fold is, center the loop about 5 inches from each side.  Anchor the loop to the pack sewing a small rectangle.

 

3.   Arm Straps

Putting two colors together, thread the strap through the slits in the back of the pack body.  

 

Slightly over-lap strap ends and sew together. Roll strap through slits to bring seam to inside of pack. Sew straps together and fasten to pack by straight stitching along both edges of each strap, and continuing around to complete both sides of each strap.

Sew slits: Anchor straps and slits by straight stitching slits to straps, thereby closing the slits .

Note: We found it easier to stitch across one slit, then, push your needle through, turning pack over, and stitching the slit on the other side before going on to the next set of slits.

Anchor the straps more securely by sewing bottom of strap about 1 inch past bottom slit, and about 1/4 inch above top slits.

4.  Circle Embellishment

To find placement for embellishment, fold bottom edge of pack to meet top flap, leaving approximately 1/4' gap.

Embellishment should be placed approximately 2 inches from bottom fold and centered, approximately 3 inches from each side.

After placement is made, unfold pack and sew embellishment in place.

 

5.   Pack Sides

Straight stitch bottom edge of pack, beginning on inside of pack.  Which when folded up will become the top of the pocket.

Fold bottom edge up to meet bottom of top flap leaving a 1/4 inch space for folding. Even up the sides and sew front and back of pack together.  Begin by starting at top of one side, reinforcing side corners of pack opening with Whip stitch to prevent tearing when in use. Stitch down side, across bottom fold, and up other side, (so that stitching is all around pack).  Again reinforcing other top corner with the Whip stitch.

For printable instructions, click here.