Vermont Love Mittens Free Pattern – Knitted Cable Heart Mittens with Thumb Gusset

Wrap your hands in the cozy charm of New England with these stunning knitted mittens featuring a sculpted cable heart on the back and a snug ribbed cuff. This pattern includes a perfectly integrated thumb gusset and uses a soft, warm alpaca blend yarn for ultimate winter comfort. Whether you're a seasoned knitter looking for a new challenge or a confident beginner ready to tackle cables, these mittens are a delightful project that results in a heartfelt, handmade gift.

The Vermont Love Mittens are more than just an accessory; they're a statement of craftsmanship. The deep forest green body is accented with a cream-colored ribbed cuff, creating a beautiful contrast that highlights the intricate cable work. The braided cables form a heart motif on the back of each hand, making these mittens a truly unique and romantic piece for the winter season. Let's dive into the pattern and create a pair of these cozy, textured beauties.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following materials to ensure a smooth knitting experience. The quality of your materials will directly impact the final look and feel of your mittens.

• Yarn: Worsted weight yarn (e.g., Cascade 220 Superwash or Malabrigo Rios) in two colors:
  • Main Color (MC): Forest Green (approx. 200g)
  • Contrast Color (CC): Cream (approx. 50g)
• Needles:
  • US 6 (4.0 mm) double-pointed needles (DPNs) or a circular needle for the magic loop method (for the main body)
  • US 5 (3.75 mm) DPNs for the ribbed cuffs
• Notions: Cable needle, stitch markers, stitch holder or waste yarn, tapestry needle for weaving in ends.
• Gauge: 22 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch on US 6 needles. Adjust needle size to achieve gauge for the correct fit.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This pattern is for an Adult Medium size (fits 7-8 inch palm circumference). Follow the steps carefully, and don't hesitate to refer back to the abbreviations list if you get stuck. The key to a beautiful finish is patience and attention to detail.

Abbreviations

• CO: Cast on
• K: Knit
• P: Purl
• K2tog: Knit two together (right-leaning decrease)
• SSK: Slip slip knit (left-leaning decrease)
• M1L: Make one left (pick up bar between stitches from front to back, knit through back loop)
• M1R: Make one right (pick up bar between stitches from back to front, knit through front loop)
• C4F: Slip 2 stitches to cable needle, hold in front, knit next 2 stitches, then knit 2 from cable needle
• C4B: Slip 2 stitches to cable needle, hold in back, knit next 2 stitches, then knit 2 from cable needle
• St(s): Stitch(es)
• PM: Place marker
• RM: Remove marker

Cuff (Make both mittens identically)

With smaller needles (US 5) and your Contrast Color (CC) yarn, CO 40 sts. Join in the round, being careful not to twist your stitches. Place a marker (PM) for the beginning of the round.

Work K2, P2 ribbing for 2.5 inches (approximately 14 rounds). This creates the snug, stretchy cuff that will keep the cold air out and the warmth in. The cream color provides a beautiful base for the green body.

Hand (Increase for Thumb Gusset)

Switch to your larger needles (US 6) and your Main Color (MC) yarn.

• Round 1: Knit all sts.
• Round 2: Knit all sts.

Now, we will begin the thumb gusset increases. Place a marker after the 20th stitch to mark the back of the hand (the cable side). The first 20 sts are the palm.

• Round 3 (Increase round): K1, M1L, K18, M1R, K1 (this is the palm section), then knit the back 20 sts. (42 sts total)
• Round 4: Knit all sts.
• Round 5: K2, M1L, K18, M1R, K2 (palm section), knit back 20 sts. (44 sts)
• Round 6: Knit all sts.

Continue in this manner, increasing 2 sts on every other round (on odd rounds) within the palm section, keeping the center 18 sts as the base. Work increases until you have 14 sts between the M1L and M1R (i.e., the thumb gusset has 14 sts). You will have increased 7 times, for a total of 54 sts.

Cable Heart Pattern on Back of Hand

While continuing thumb increases (if not finished), start the cable pattern on the back 20 sts. The palm sts are knit plain. This is where the magic happens! The heart is formed by a combination of cables and purl stitches, creating a beautiful, dimensional motif.

Heart Cable Pattern (worked over 20 sts, repeat every 8 rounds):

• Round 1: P2, C4F, K3, P2, K3, C4B, P2
• Round 2: P2, K16, P2
• Round 3: P2, K3, C4B, P2, C4F, K3, P2
• Round 4: P2, K16, P2
• Round 5: P2, C4B, K3, P2, K3, C4F, P2
• Round 6: P2, K16, P2
• Round 7: P2, K3, C4F, P2, C4B, K3, P2
• Round 8: P2, K16, P2

This pattern creates a lovely heart with a purl cleft in the center, giving it that classic, romantic look. The cables cross over each other to form the lobes of the heart.

Continue Working the Hand

Work the palm sts in stockinette (knit all). Work the back 20 sts in the Heart Cable Pattern. Continue until the mitten measures 4 inches from the cuff, or until it covers your pinky finger when tried on. This ensures the mitten is long enough to be comfortable but not too long.

Thumb Gusset

When you have completed the increases (14 sts between markers), place the 14 gusset sts on a stitch holder or waste yarn. Continue working the hand in the round, casting on 2 sts over the gap (using the backward loop cast on) to bridge the thumb. You will have 42 sts total (20 palm + 20 back + 2 cast on). Work even in pattern until the mitten reaches the top of your index finger (approx. 1.5 inches from desired total length).

Decrease for Top

Now we'll shape the top of the mitten to fit snugly over your fingers.

• Round 1: *K1, SSK, K to last 3 sts of palm, K2tog, K1* (decrease 2 sts on palm), then work back 20 sts in pattern. Repeat this decrease round every other round until 20 sts remain (10 palm, 10 back).
• Then work decrease on every round: K2tog across all sts until 8 sts remain.

Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread the tail through the remaining 8 sts, pull tight to close the top, and weave in the end securely.

Thumb

Pick up the 14 gusset sts from the holder, plus 2 sts from the cast-on bridge, plus 2 sts from each side to avoid holes (total 18 sts). Distribute these on your DPNs. Knit in the round for 1.5 inches, or until the thumb covers your thumbnail.

Decrease: K2tog around until 6 sts remain. Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight, and weave in the end.

Finishing

Weave in all loose ends with your tapestry needle. Block gently to even out the stitches and enhance the cable definition. Optionally, add a braided or crocheted tie to connect the mittens so they don't get lost in your coat sleeves.

Second Mitten

Work the second mitten the same as the first, but mirror the thumb gusset (increase on the opposite side) and mirror the cable pattern if desired (or keep the same for symmetry). Mirroring the thumb makes the mittens truly ambidextrous and comfortable on both hands.

Congratulations! You've just created a beautiful pair of Vermont Love Mittens. These are perfect for keeping your hands warm on a chilly winter walk, or as a heartfelt, handmade gift for someone special. The combination of the cozy alpaca blend, the intricate cable heart, and the classic color palette makes these mittens a timeless addition to any winter wardrobe. Happy knitting!