Bulky Cable Knit Mittens Pattern

There was so much love for my Easy Knit Mittens pattern that I decided to create another knit mitten pattern for you guys, this time with cables!  If you are new to knitting mittens or cables, then I would highly recommend starting with the Easy Knit Mittens pattern and then once you have the hang of it, these cabled mittens will be a breeze!

My good friend Carlee from Styled To Sparkle was kind enough to model these mittens for me.  I met this gorgeous, multi-talented lady at a blogging event and we instantly hit it off.  Her blog, Styled To Sparkle is all about life and style for the real girl – which totally appeals to me.    She writes about food, makeup, travel, home decor, and my very favourite topic – wine!   So check out her blog and subscribe – your life will be changed!

The pattern for these mittens uses the magic loop technique.  If you are new to magic loop knitting, there are plenty of youtube videos out there teaching you how to cast on and start working in the round.  I also recommend the Craftsy Magic Loop Knitting Course if you’d like to watch a professional course on this method.

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I have written out and posted the free pattern for these mittens below on this page.  

You may also purchase the ad-free instant download PDF file for easy printing and reading.  Purchasing the PDF file helps to support this website and allows me to continue to share my patterns and inspiration with you. 

Should you have any issues with the download, please email: info@leeleeknits.com for assistance.  

You can Purchase the PDF file (which will be emailed to you automatically after purchase) by clicking the button below.  

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Bulky Cable Knit Mittens Pattern

Materials:

Here is what you will need to make these warm cable knit mittens:

4.5 stitches, 6 rows = 1″ in stockinette stitch.

Size:

These stretchy mittens are perfect for medium-sized women’s hands.

Abbreviations and Stitches:

K: Knit.

Stockinette Stitch: Worked in the round, knit every round.

C6F: Cable 6 Front (slip 3 stitches onto your cable needle to the front of your work, knit the next three stitches, then knit the three stitches off of the cable needle).

C6B: Cable 6 Back (slip 3 stitches onto your cable needle to the back of your work, knit the next three stitches, then knit the three stitches off of the cable needle).

K2P2 Rib: Worked in the round (multiple of 4 stitches).  *K2P2; repeat from * to end of round.

K2Tog: Knit Two Together decrease.

Kfb: Knit Front and Back increase.

M1L: Make one left increase.

M1R: Make one right increase.

PM: Place Stitch Marker.

Notes

These mittens are worked in the round from the cuff up, using the Magic Loop method and circular knitting needles.  If you do not already have experience with this method, please read/watch some tutorials before you begin.  The pattern can also be adapted for double pointed needles.

Magic Loop Technique for knitting in the round.

Pattern:

Cuff:

Cast on 24 stitches and work in a K2P2 rib for 20 rounds.  Continue to Hand (Left) or Hand (Right).

Hand (Left):

Round 1: *K2, Kfb; repeat from * to end of round (32 stitches).

Shift stitches so that front needle has 19 and back needle has 13.

Round 2 & 3: K6, P2, K9, P2, K13 (32 stitches).

Round 4: K6, P2, C6B, K3, P2, K13 (32 stitches).

Round 5: K6, P2, K9, P2, K13 (32 stitches).

Round 6: K3, PSM, K3, P2, K9, P2, K13 (32 stitches).

Round 7: K1, M1L, K1, M1R, K1, PSM, K3, P2, K9, P2, K13 (34 stitches).

Round 8: K8, P2, K3, C6F, P2, K13 (34 stitches).

Round 9: K8, P2, K9, P2, K13 (34 stitches).

Round 10: K1, M1L, K3, M1R, K1, PM, K3, P2, K9, P2, K13 (36 stitches).


Round 11: K10, P2, K9, P2, K13 (36 stitches).

Round 12: K10, P2, C6B, K3, P2, K13 (36 stitches).

Round 13: K1, M1L, K5, M1R, K1, PM, K3, P2, K9, P2, K13 (38 stitches).

Round 14: K12, P2, K9, P2, K13 (38 stitches).

Round 15: K12, P2, K9, P2, K13 (38 stitches).

At this point, the mitten should look like the photo below.  The first 9 stitches before the stitch marker are the thumb gusset stitches used in knitting the thumb.

Using a yarn or tapestry needle, transfer the nine thumb gusset stitches to a piece of scrap yarn and secure.  Cast on 3 stitches (thumb cast on method works well) with working yarn to replace the original 3 stitches that we used in the thumb gusset.  See photo below.

Round 16: K3, P2, K3, C6F, P2, K16 (32 Stitches).

Rounds 17-19: K3, P2, K9, P2, K16 (32 stitches).

Round 20: K3, P2, C6B, K3, P2, K16 (32 stitches).

Round 21-23: K3, P2, K9, P2, K16 (32 stitches).

Repeat rounds 16-23 two more times.

Shape the top of the top of the mitten as follows:

Round 1: K3, P2, K3, C6F, P2, K16.

Round 2: *K2, K2Tog; repeat from * to end of round (24 stitches).

Round 3: Knit all stitches (24 stitches).

Round 4: *K1, K2Tog; repeat from * to end of round (16 stitches)..

Round 5: Knit all stitches (16 stitches)..

Round 6: *K2Tog; repeat from * to end of round (8 stitches)..

Cut yarn (leave a 6 inch tail) and pull through yarn needle.  Thread through the remaining stitches and pull tight.  Pull yarn through to inside of mitten and secure on the inside.

Fasten off and continue to Thumb.

Hand (Right):

Round 1: *K2, Kfb; repeat from * to end of round (32 stitches).

Round 2 & 3: K17, P2, K9, P2, K2 (32 stitches).

Round 4: K17, P2, C6B, K3, P2, K2 (32 stitches).

Round 5: K17, P2, K9, P2, K2 (32 stitches).

Round 6: K3, PSM, K14, P2, K9, P2, K2 (32 stitches).

Round 7: K1, M1L, K1, M1R, K1, PM, K14, P2, K9, P2, K2 (34 stitches).

Round 8: K19, P2, K3, C6F, P2, K2 (34 stitches).

Round 9: K19, P2, K9, P2, K2 (34 stitches).

Round 10: K1, M1L, K3, M1R, K1, PM, K14, P2, K9, P2, K2 (36 stitches).

Round 11: K21, P2, K9, P2, K2 (36 stitches).

Round 12: K21, P2, C6B, K3, P2, K2 (36 stitches).

Round 13: K1, M1L, K5, M1R, K1, PSM, K14, P2, K9, P2, K2 (38 stitches).

Round 14: K23, P2, K9, P2, K2 (38 stitches).

Round 15: K23, P2, K9, P2, K2 (38 stitches).

At this point, the mitten should look like the photo below.  The first 9 stitches before the stitch marker are the thumb gusset stitches used in knitting the thumb.

Using a yarn or tapestry needle, transfer the nine thumb gusset stitches to a piece of scrap yarn and secure.  Cast on 3 stitches (thumb cast on method works well) with working yarn to replace the original 3 stitches that we used in the thumb gusset.  See photo below.

Round 16: K14, P2, K3, C6F, P2, K5 (32 stitches).

Rounds 17-19: K14, P2, K9, P2, K5 (32 stitches).

Round 20: K14, P2, C6B, K3, P2, K5 (32 stitches).

Round 21-23: K14, P2, K9, P2, K5 (32 stitches).

Repeat rounds 16-23 two more times.

Shape the top of the top of the mitten as follows:

Round 1: K14, P2, K3, C6F, P2, K5.

Round 2: *K2, K2Tog; repeat from * to end of round (24 stitches).

Round 3: Knit all stitches (24 stitches).

Round 4: *K1, K2Tog; repeat from * to end of round (16 stitches)..

Round 5: Knit all stitches (16 stitches)..

Round 6: *K2Tog; repeat from * to end of round (8 stitches)..

Cut yarn (leave a 6 inch tail) and pull through yarn needle.  Thread through the remaining stitches and pull tight.  Pull yarn through to inside of mitten and secure on the inside.

Fasten off and continue to Thumb.

Thumb:

Pick up the thumb stitches with circular needle and remove the scrap yarn.  See photo below.  Notice the big gap above where you inserted the needle.

Slide the thumb stitches down onto the cord and pick up three stitches around the gap by knitting into them.  It’s not an exact science where to pick up these stitches, and you can look up some techniques for preventing a hole (there are plenty of YouTube videos).  Don’t worry if you do not pick them up in a way that closes the hole entirely -you can use the tail from where you attached the yarn to sew any gaps when you weave in the ends.

There will be 3 stitches on one needle and 9 on the other for a total of 12 stitches.  Knit in the round in stockinette stitch (knit all stitches) for 12 rounds.  Re-arrange the stitches so that there are 6 on each needle. Continue to Shaping Thumb Top.

Shaping Thumb Top:

Round 1: *K1, K2Tog; repeat from * to end of the round (total of 8 stitches).

Round 2: Knit all stitches.

At this point, there are 4 stitches on each needle.  Cut yarn (leave a 4 inch tail) and pull through yarn needle.  Thread through the remaining stitches and pull tight.  Pull yarn through to inside of thumb and secure on the inside.

Continue to Finishing.

Finishing:

Flip mitten inside out.  Secure and weave in all ends.  If there’s a gap in the thumb gusset where the yarn is attached, this is where you can use the tail to sew it up.

I hope you enjoyed this free pattern and I am so grateful for your support!  Don’t forget that you can purchase the ad-free PDF file.  Purchasing the PDF file helps support this website and allows me to continue to share my patterns and inspiration with you guys!   

Should you have any issues with the download, please email: info@leeleeknits.com for assistance. 

You can Purchase the PDF file (which will be emailed to you automatically after purchase) by clicking the button below.  

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17 Responses

  1. According to my count Round 6 has 32 stitches and round 7 has 36 (not 34) stitches so my purl stitches are landing right over the cable (not over the previous round’s purls as I would expect them to). Am I counting incorrectly or is there an error in the pattern?

      1. But, if you add up round 7 it actually adds up to 36 stitches. Is the free pattern accurate as:
        K1, M1L, K3, M1R, K1, PSM, K3, P2, K9, P2, K13 adds up to 36 for me

  2. Thank you for this lovely pattern! It’s such a quick knit! Just one minor thing to note, Round 14 and 15 should both start with K23 instead of K21.

  3. Thank you for this nice pattern.
    I notice a mistake on round 14 and 15 of the right hand: we should read: k23 instead of 21 since there is an increase of 2 st on round 13.

    1. Hi Lynne, this pattern only comes in one size. You can adjust the length by knitting more rows before you decrease for longer fingers, or alternatively go up a size with the needles so that it the mittens are more loosely knit and have more give.

  4. I can’t wait to try my hand at theses mittens. Would Cascade 128 Superwash Yarn work with this project? I’ve never knitted anything with merino but I’m thinking it would be appropriate for mittens. But I’m a beginner knitter and I’m not sure if the weight would be comparable to the yarn you’re using!

    1. Hi Karine,
      It looks like it should be a good match! I would suggest making a small swatch first to check the gauge just to be safe!

  5. Can you tell me what PSM is, round 6 of “hand”? I know PM is place marker, but not sure about PSM. Can’t find anything online. Thanks!

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