How to make a baby mittens

1. Materials & tools

Materials (one pair)

• Main fabric (double gauze, jersey or anything soft) — about 30 × 30 cm (12 × 12 in)
• Narrow flat elastic (0.6–0.8 cm / ¼ in wide) — about 30 cm (12 in), or 60 cm (24 in) of ribbon
• Bodkin (a safety pin works)

Tools

• Sewing machine (or needle and thread)
• Fabric marker or pencil
• Ruler and scissors
• Iron
• Pins or clips

2. Make the pattern (auto-generated in Katagami)

With the Katagami pattern tool, you just enter the finished size and it drafts a seam-allowance-included pattern, tiled to print at actual size on Letter or A4.

1. Open the tool
   Open the pattern tool and choose “Baby” → “Baby mittens” from the tabs at the top.
2. Enter the size
   Enter palm width, total length and the elastic casing fold. Presets cover newborn, 3–6 and 6–12 months.
3. Set the seam allowance
   Use the slider at the bottom (beginners: 1.0–1.5 cm / about 3/8–5/8 in).
4. Print
   Press “Print (actual size)”, then in the print dialog set Scale = 100% and turn “Fit to page” OFF. Check the 50 mm calibration box on the first guide sheet with a ruler.

3. Cutting the fabric

1. Trace the pattern
   These are small pieces, so mark thin, accurate lines — a thick chalk line is a real error at this size.
2. Cut
   Cut four mitten pieces: two per hand. Cut knit and gauze lying flat and relaxed.
3. Finish the edges
   Zigzag the wrist edge if the fabric frays; the rest is enclosed.

4. Sewing

4-1. Make the wrist casing

1. On each piece, fold the straight wrist edge under by 1 cm, then again by the casing width.
2. Stitch close to the fold. Do all four pieces.
3. Do the wrists first — once the mitten is a closed bag it is far too small to get a presser foot inside.

4-2. Sew the pairs

1. Place two pieces right sides together and sew all the way around except the wrist.
2. Clip the curve at the fingertip every 5 mm (¼ in) so it turns out round rather than pointed.
3. Repeat for the second mitten.

4-3. Turn and thread the elastic

1. Turn through the wrist opening and ease the fingertip out with a point turner. Press.
2. Thread the elastic. It should be slightly shorter than the baby's wrist — but you must still be able to slip a finger underneath.
3. Overlap and stitch the elastic ends, then close the opening with a few stitches.

✏️ Never make the elastic tight. A baby's wrist is tiny and marks easily. Check you can slide a finger under it, and if you are unsure, thread ribbon instead and tie it loosely.

5. Tips & variations

• Watch the inside: this surface sits against the baby's skin, so check no thread ends are left inside after turning.
• Pre-wash gauze: double gauze shrinks by about 10%. Wash, dry and press before cutting.
• As a gift: make them in the same fabric as a bib and a baby hat for a three-piece set.