How much length for mittens?

#1

Hi all,

I’m knitting a pair of fingerless gauntlets for my part-time job boss for Christmas that I have a question about. There isn’t really a pattern, this is something that I’ve found on the net, and I’ve altered. Instead of it being open at the finger ends what I’ve done is added an opening and a flap to cover the opening at the palm-top so that the fingers can pop out and be useful, and then when cold the fingers can sneak back inside. So I guess it’s like there is a cap at the top to cover cold fingers, a shooter’s glove, so to speak.

:shrug:

Anyhow, when knitting mittens how much length do you add past the tip of the fingers? I don’t want these to be to short in hand length, but I can’t really measure my boss’s hand. I figure hers are about the same length as mine, but since I don’t wear mittens I have no idea how long (or how much past fingertips) they should be to be comfortable.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

TIA
Debra in NC

#2

It’s been a while since I made any, but I think most mitten patterns usually say knit to the length of the middle finger, then begin the shaping which usually takes about an inch or so to finish.

#3

I Love flip top mittens and I am in a midst of making these for everyone in my family, I just finished two pairs for me and my daughter, now I am starting on my son’s pair. I started my shaping after reaching the height of the pinky and it worked out fine.

#4

Reeny, can you tell me how you decrease? Is it every row, or every other row? I’m using a worsted weight, but it knits up like a finer sport weight, and I’m using size 3 needles. Thanks!

Debra in NC

#5

I decreased every other row (I think I decreased 4 stitches each decrease row for mine, and 3 for my daughter’s). For my mittens I used a worsted weight and I did the ribbing and finger holes on size 3 dpns, but the body and flip top on size 5, I also did the thumb towards the front. For the kids I used a sport weight yarn and did it all on size 3, they have a side thumb and no finger holes, just six rows of ribbing around all four fingers up to the knuckle of the pointer.

#6

Maybe it is supposed to be to the length of the pinky finger. It’s been years since I made mittens.