Making Even More Winter: Tiny Mitten, Crochet Version

Just in case you've got some extra time on your hands this weekend (HA!) - here's the crochet version of the Tiny Mitten. At just 1½" long, it's fast, fun (and only a bit fiddly about the thumb), and can be embellished or simply left as is.

I used some leftover NaturallyCaron Spa yarn and a G hook. You may use any yarn you like, with the appropriate size hook.

Make a Magic Ring, and chain 1:

Double crochet 9 in the ring:

And pull yarn end to tighten. This is the tip of your mitten.
The side facing you will be the WRONG side (or inside) of the mitten.

Join last double crochet to first double crochet with a slip stitch.
Chain 1, and single crochet in same space. DO NOT TURN.
Look at the two left "legs" of the single crochet you just made:

And insert your hook through them like this:

Make a single crochet in the "legs" (yarn over, pull through, then yarn over and pull through all loops on hook ).
I don't know the official name for this stitch, so I will call it a "stacked single crochet".
It's a different way of starting a double crochet row.

The stacked single crochet counts as your first double crochet.
DO NOT TURN.
Make 8 more double crochets around:

Close round with a slip stitch,
Chain 1, single crochet in same space,
and make another stacked single crochet to start a new round.

Crochet 8 more double crochets around.
Do not slip stitch this round closed: we're going to make the thumb now.

Look at the mitten: see the "U" shaped opening?
You will be crocheting down the side of the last double crochet you just made,
and up the side of the stacked single crochet which began the round.
(It will look like there are some empty stitches at the base of the "U". Ignore them.)

Thumb Row 1:
Chain 1 and get ready to go down the side of the double crochet you just made.
1. Single crochet 1 in the top "half" of the double crochet. Be sure to insert your hook through 2 strands only, not under the entire stitch.
2. LOOSELY slip stitch in the bottom half of that same double crochet. (Remember, go through 2 strands and not under the entire stitch.)
3. LOOSELY slip stitch in the bottom half of the stacked single crochet.
4. Single crochet 1 in the top half of the stacked single crochet.
5. Chain 1, TURN.

Thumb Row 2:
Working across the 4 stitches of Thumb Row 1,
make a partial half-double crochet (yarn over, insert hook in 1st stitch, yarn over, pull through);
then a partial single crochet (insert hook in next stitch, yarn over, pull through);
then another partial single crochet;
then another partial half-double crochet.

You should have 7 loops on your hook, like this:

Now yarn over, and draw through all the loops to close the tip of the thumb:

And gently tug on the yarn to tighten things up.

Chain 1, and slip stitch the thumb closed, working back towards the mitten.
The first slip stitch will go in the sides of Thumb Row 2.

First slip stitch made; here I am about to make the second slip stitch in Thumb Row 1:

And we have a thumb!
Do not turn work.
Make a stacked single crochet in 1st stitch of previous round;
double crochet 8 more around.
Slip stitch this round closed.
Only 1 more round to go.

Chain 1, TURN,
then single crochet around in the back loops only (where the dots are).

Join with slip stitch or invisible join, cut yarn, and weave in end.
Pull starting end of yarn to inside of mitten.
That's it!

Pretty cute, isn't it?

Now you can add whatever trim takes your fancy. See the Tiny Knit Mitten post for some embellishment ideas.

(Note: If you decide to do the lacy crochet thread trim from the Tiny Knit Mitten post, observe the following changes. Row 2 should be (sc, ch 3, sc, ch 5, sc) in each ch-3 loop. Since the crocheted mitten has an odd number of stitches around, this stitch pattern will work best and give the same effect.)

Here's to Happy Wintering and warm hands! (All this crocheting will help keep the blood flowing.) This post will be linked to December's Making Winter blog hop at Mrs. Thrifty Household. Hop on over and  check out all the wonderful crafty projects featured there.

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