How to make ribbing tighter for mittens?

#1

I’m knitting some mittens for my toddler on size 7 dpn’s.

I knit a test one today (it wasn’t intended to be a test but… it’s too messed up!) and I really would like it if the cuffs were a bit snugger… I fear them falling off while he’s out playing (ya know, he’s 2, he plays rough).

I knit the cuffs using k2p2 rib… is k1p1 tighter or looser? I have read about using smaller needles for the ribbing, can I do that or will it make them too tight?

TIA for any advice.

#2

Sock and mitten patterns often call for a smaller needle size for ribbing. For instance, I did a pair of mittens on size 7 needles, and the ribbing was done on size 5.

#3

Sweaters have the ribbing on smaller needles, too. It’s stretchy, go smaller. I’d probably make the ribbing longer, too, just to keep them on better.