Free Crochet Mitten Pattern with the Wheat Stitch — 6 Sizes Plus Video Tutorial
If you’ve been searching for a crochet mitten pattern that works up beautifully, fits the whole family, and comes completely free, you’ve landed in exactly the right place. This pattern uses the wheat stitch — one of the most satisfying stitches in the crochet world — to create mittens that are thick, warm, and visually stunning. Whether you’re making a pair for a toddler or an adult with large hands, this pattern has you covered with six different sizes and a step-by-step video tutorial to walk you through every detail.
Let’s dive in.
Why the Wheat Stitch Is Perfect for Mittens
The wheat stitch is a combination stitch that creates a beautiful woven, textured fabric reminiscent of — you guessed it — stalks of wheat. It’s made by working a combination of front post and back post stitches in a specific sequence that creates dense, interlocking columns of texture. The result is a fabric that is naturally thicker than standard single crochet, which makes it ideal for cold-weather accessories like hats, cowls, scarves, and especially mittens.
Here’s what makes the wheat stitch such a great choice for this particular project. First, the fabric it creates has very little stretch in one direction but a lovely give in the other, which means mittens made with this stitch hug the hand comfortably without being restrictive. Second, the density of the stitch adds a layer of insulation that you simply don’t get with more open, lacier patterns. Third — and perhaps most importantly for those of us who love a project that earns compliments — the finished texture looks incredibly intricate even though it’s actually quite approachable once you get into a rhythm.
If you’ve never worked the wheat stitch before, don’t worry. The video tutorial linked in this post walks you through it from scratch, and most crocheters with basic skills find they can pick it up within the first few rows.
Materials You Will Need
Before you sit down to cast on (or, more accurately, start your foundation chain), gather everything you’ll need so your crafting session can be seamless from start to finish.
Yarn: A worsted weight yarn works best for these mittens. You want something with a little heft to it. Look for a yarn labeled as 4 or medium weight. Wool or a wool blend is highly recommended because wool has natural moisture-wicking and insulating properties that make it the gold standard for winter accessories. That said, if you or the recipient has a wool sensitivity, an acrylic worsted yarn will still produce gorgeous, warm mittens. You’ll need approximately 100–200 yards depending on the size you’re making, with smaller sizes requiring significantly less.
Hook: A 5.0mm (US H/8) crochet hook is the standard recommendation for this pattern with worsted weight yarn, but always swatch first. Everyone’s tension is different, and you may find that going up or down half a size gets you the right gauge.
Notions: You’ll also need a yarn needle for weaving in ends, scissors, stitch markers (especially useful when working the thumb gusset), and a measuring tape.
Optional: If you want to add a lining for extra warmth, or if you’re making these for a child who will be playing in the snow, consider picking up a small piece of fleece fabric to sew inside the finished mitten. It makes a world of difference on the coldest days.
Gauge
Gauge matters in this pattern, especially because you want the mittens to fit correctly around the hand and finger area. An ill-fitting mitten is no mitten at all — it’ll either slip off constantly or pinch uncomfortably.
Gauge: 14 stitches and 16 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in wheat stitch pattern with a 5.0mm hook.
Take the time to make a small swatch before starting. Work about 20 stitches and 20 rows, then measure the center of your swatch (not the edges, which can distort). If you have more stitches per inch than the pattern calls for, go up a hook size. If you have fewer stitches per inch, go down a hook size.
Size Chart
This pattern includes six sizes to cover everyone from the tiniest toddler to an adult with larger hands. Here’s a quick breakdown of the sizes and their approximate measurements.
Size 1 — Toddler (ages 1–3): Hand circumference approximately 5 inches, mitten length approximately 6 inches.
Size 2 — Child Small (ages 4–6): Hand circumference approximately 5.5 inches, mitten length approximately 6.75 inches.
Size 3 — Child Large (ages 7–10): Hand circumference approximately 6 inches, mitten length approximately 7.5 inches.
Size 4 — Adult Small/Medium (women’s average): Hand circumference approximately 7 inches, mitten length approximately 9 inches.
Size 5 — Adult Medium/Large (men’s average): Hand circumference approximately 8 inches, mitten length approximately 10 inches.
Size 6 — Adult Extra Large: Hand circumference approximately 9 inches, mitten length approximately 11 inches.
Throughout the pattern, instructions for all six sizes are included, with each size separated by a forward slash (/) in the order Size 1 / Size 2 / Size 3 / Size 4 / Size 5 / Size 6. Where only one number appears, it applies to all sizes.
Abbreviations and Stitch Key
If you’re working from this pattern for the first time, familiarize yourself with the following abbreviations before you begin. The video tutorial also defines each one visually, so feel free to watch it alongside the written instructions.
ch — chain
sl st — slip stitch
sc — single crochet
dc — double crochet
FPdc — front post double crochet
BPdc — back post double crochet
inc — increase (work 2 stitches in the same stitch)
dec — decrease (work 2 stitches together)
pm — place marker
sm — slip marker
RS — right side
WS — wrong side
sk — skip
The wheat stitch itself is formed by alternating FPdc and BPdc stitches across each row, with specific placement creating the “wheat” columns. Full stitch instructions are explained in detail in the pattern rows below, and demonstrated thoroughly in the video.
Pattern Notes
These mittens are worked flat and then seamed, which many crocheters find easier for maintaining even tension and for working the thumb gusset. If you prefer to work in the round, you can adapt this pattern, but the written instructions below are for the flat construction.
The thumb is worked as a separate piece and seamed on at the end, making it simple to customize the thumb length for different hand shapes. Some hands have proportionally longer or shorter thumbs, and this construction makes it easy to adjust without reworking the entire mitten.
When working the wheat stitch, always work into the post of the stitch below rather than under both loops of the top of the stitch, unless otherwise instructed. This is what creates the raised, textured columns that give the stitch its distinctive look.
Chain-2 at the beginning of a row counts as a double crochet in this pattern unless otherwise noted. Turn your work at the end of every row.
The Wheat Stitch Mitten Pattern
Foundation and Cuff
Chain 14 / 16 / 18 / 22 / 26 / 30.
Row 1 (WS): Starting in the 3rd chain from the hook, dc across. You should have 12 / 14 / 16 / 20 / 24 / 28 dc. Ch 2, turn.
Row 2 (RS): *FPdc around the next stitch, BPdc around the following stitch*, repeat from * to * across the row. Ch 2, turn.
Row 3: *BPdc around the next stitch, FPdc around the following stitch*, repeat from * to * across. Ch 2, turn.
Repeat rows 2 and 3 until the cuff measures 2 / 2 / 2.5 / 3 / 3 / 3.5 inches from the foundation chain. This creates the ribbed cuff that stretches comfortably over the wrist.
Hand Body
Continue in wheat stitch pattern (alternating rows 2 and 3) until the piece measures 3.5 / 4 / 4.5 / 5.5 / 6.5 / 7.5 inches total from the foundation chain, ending with a wrong side row.
Thumb Gusset
The thumb gusset is worked on the right-hand mitten at the left edge of the RS and on the left-hand mitten at the right edge of the RS. This creates a mirror-image pair.
Gusset Row 1: Work in pattern across to the last 2 / 2 / 2 / 3 / 3 / 4 stitches. Inc in the next stitch, work to the end in pattern. Ch 2, turn.
Gusset Row 2: Work in pattern across. Ch 2, turn.
Gusset Row 3: Work in pattern across to the gusset stitches, inc in the first gusset stitch, work in pattern to the last gusset stitch, inc in the last gusset stitch, continue in pattern to the end. Ch 2, turn.
Repeat gusset rows 2 and 3 until you have increased 2 / 2 / 2 / 3 / 3 / 4 additional stitches on each side of the gusset opening.
On the next RS row, work across to the gusset opening, chain 2 / 2 / 2 / 3 / 3 / 4 to bridge the thumb opening, then continue in pattern to the end of the row. Place the gusset stitches on a stitch holder or length of waste yarn — you’ll come back to these to work the thumb.
Upper Hand
Continue in wheat stitch pattern across the hand (working across the chains you placed over the thumb opening as if they were regular stitches) until the piece measures 5 / 5.5 / 6.5 / 8 / 9 / 10 inches total from the foundation chain, or until the mitten reaches the tip of the pinky finger when held against the intended wearer’s hand.
Top Decreases
Decrease Row 1: Ch 2, work in pattern across to the center of the row, dec over the center 2 stitches, continue in pattern to the end. Ch 2, turn.
Decrease Row 2: Work in pattern across. Ch 2, turn.
Repeat decrease rows 1 and 2 until you have 6 / 6 / 8 / 8 / 10 / 10 stitches remaining.
Cut yarn and draw through remaining stitches to close the top. Pull firmly and secure.
Thumb
Return to the gusset stitches on your stitch holder. Join yarn with a slip stitch.
Work in wheat stitch pattern across the gusset stitches, then pick up and work across the chain stitches you placed over the thumb opening. You should have 4 / 4 / 4 / 6 / 6 / 8 stitches total.
Continue in wheat stitch pattern until the thumb measures 1.25 / 1.5 / 1.75 / 2 / 2.25 / 2.5 inches from the base, or until it reaches the tip of the thumb when placed against the hand.
Thumb Top: Dec across the row until 4 stitches remain. Cut yarn, draw through remaining stitches, and pull firmly to close.
Seaming
With RS facing, fold the mitten in half lengthwise and seam the side and top using your preferred method. A mattress stitch or whip stitch both work beautifully here. Seam the thumb as well, then weave in all ends.
Make a second mitten, remembering to mirror the thumb gusset placement.
Video Tutorial
The written pattern above covers every step of this project, but if you’re a visual learner — or if you’ve never worked with front and back post stitches before — the video tutorial is going to be your best friend. It walks through the wheat stitch in real time, demonstrates how to work the gusset increases, shows how to bridge the thumb opening, and guides you through the decrease rows at the top.
Watching the video even once before you start the pattern gives you a clear mental picture of how the fabric comes together, which makes following the written instructions much smoother. Even experienced crocheters often find a quick video preview helpful when picking up a new stitch structure.
Tips for Success
A few notes from experience that will help you get the best possible result from this pattern.
Weave in ends as you go. Between the cuff, the body, the thumb, and the finishing, there are a handful of yarn tails to deal with. Weaving them in as you finish each section keeps the project tidy and prevents the end-of-project overwhelm that comes from a mitten with ten dangling tails.
Block your finished mittens. Even if you’re working with acrylic yarn, a light block (dampening the mittens and laying them flat to dry in shape) helps the wheat stitch open up slightly and look its absolute best. For wool, a proper wet block is transformative.
Make both mittens before you give them as a gift. This sounds obvious, but second mitten syndrome is real — the temptation to cast on something new before finishing the pair is strong. Make both mittens back to back while the pattern is fresh in your hands.
Customize the color. These mittens look gorgeous in a single solid color that lets the texture speak for itself, but they’re also beautiful in heathered or tweed yarns that add depth to the wheat stitch columns. If you want to get adventurous, you can work the cuff in a contrast color and the body in a main color for a playful pop.
Make the cuff longer for extra warmth. If you’re making these for someone who spends a lot of time outdoors in serious cold, consider adding 4–6 extra rows to the cuff so it extends further up the wrist. This is a simple modification that adds significant warmth at no extra skill cost.
Yarn Recommendations
The beauty of a worsted weight pattern is that you have countless yarn options to choose from. A few favorites that work especially well with the wheat stitch include Cascade 220 (a classic wool in a vast color range), Lion Brand Wool-Ease (a wool-acrylic blend that’s machine washable and very budget-friendly), Paintbox Simply DK (a step lighter but works well at adjusted gauge), and Malabrigo Rios (a superwash merino that is absurdly soft and makes the most luxurious adult mittens you can imagine).
For children’s mittens, a machine-washable yarn is strongly recommended. Kids are hard on their accessories, mittens especially, and the ability to toss them in the washing machine without worry is genuinely invaluable.
Perfect Projects to Pair With These Mittens
Once you’ve finished your mittens, you might find yourself wanting to build out a full coordinated set. The wheat stitch works beautifully in a matching hat, and the same stitch pattern can be adapted into a cowl or infinity scarf with very little modification. A wheat stitch beanie uses the same front post and back post alternation worked in the round, and a simple cowl is nothing more than a rectangle of wheat stitch seamed at the ends.
Making a set as a gift — mittens, hat, and cowl in the same yarn — is one of those projects that looks incredibly thoughtful and polished while actually being straightforward to execute once you know the stitch.
Share Your Makes
If you work up a pair of these mittens, please share your finished project! Tag your photos with this pattern so other crocheters can see the range of colors and sizes people are making. Seeing other makers’ finished objects is one of the best parts of the crochet community — it’s endlessly inspiring to see the same pattern interpreted in dozens of different yarn choices and color palettes.
If you run into any questions while working through the pattern, drop them in the comments. This pattern is designed to be as clear and detailed as possible, but every maker’s experience is different, and questions are always welcome.
Happy crocheting, and enjoy your wheat stitch mittens!
