The Hearthstone Heart Mittens Free Pattern – A Cozy Knitted Fair Isle Duo with Woven Cable Accents

Wrap your hands in the warmth of a rustic cabin hearth with these knitted mittens, featuring a heartwarming Fair Isle motif and delicate woven cable details. This pattern offers a modern twist on a classic winter essential, perfect for gifting or treating yourself. The combination of a deep cranberry heart, cream diamond accents, and a subtle cable texture creates a truly unique accessory that feels both heirloom-quality and contemporary. Whether you're a seasoned knitter looking for a new challenge or a brave beginner ready to learn Fair Isle and cabling, these mittens are a rewarding project that will keep your hands toasty all season long.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies. Using the specified yarn weight and needle size is crucial to achieve the correct gauge and fit.

• Yarn: Worsted weight wool yarn in three colors:
  • Main Color (MC): Oatmeal Heather – approximately 200 yards
  • Contrast Color 1 (CC1): Deep Cranberry – approximately 100 yards
  • Contrast Color 2 (CC2): Cream – approximately 50 yards
• Needles: US Size 6 (4.0 mm) double-pointed needles (or a circular needle for the magic loop method), plus a cable needle.
• Notions: Stitch markers (at least 4), waste yarn or stitch holders, tapestry needle for weaving in ends, scissors.
• Gauge: 22 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch (blocked). Adjust needle size up or down to achieve this gauge for the correct finished size.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This pattern is worked in the round from the cuff up. It includes a thumb gusset and a classic heart motif on the back of the hand. Instructions are for a women's medium (7.5-inch hand circumference). The pattern is broken down into manageable sections: Cuff, Right Mitten Body, Fair Isle Chart, Cable Accents, Top Decreases, Thumb, and Left Mitten. Read through the entire pattern before starting.

Abbreviations

• CO: Cast on
• K: Knit
• P: Purl
• K2tog: Knit two together (right-leaning decrease)
• SSK: Slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
• M1L: Make one left (increase – pick up bar between stitches from front, knit through back loop)
• M1R: Make one right (increase – pick up bar between stitches from back, knit through front loop)
• C4F: Slip 2 stitches to cable needle, hold in front, knit 2, knit 2 from cable needle
• C4B: Slip 2 stitches to cable needle, hold in back, knit 2, knit 2 from cable needle
• MC, CC1, CC2: As specified above
• St(s): Stitch(es)
• DPN(s): Double-pointed needle(s)

Cuff (Make 2)

1. With MC, CO 40 sts. Distribute evenly over 4 DPNs (10 sts each). Join in the round, being careful not to twist the cast-on edge.
2. Work K2, P2 ribbing for 12 rounds. This creates a snug, stretchy cuff.
3. Increase round: *K4, M1L, K4, M1R, K2*; repeat from * to * around. You will now have 48 sts on your needles. This increase round prepares the mitten body to be wider than the cuff.

Right Mitten (For Left Hand, Mirror the Thumb Placement)

Note: The "Right Mitten" is worn on the right hand. The thumb gusset is placed on the left side of the back-of-hand stitches. For the left hand, you will mirror this placement (see Left Mitten section below).

1. Rounds 1-4: Knit all sts with MC.
2. Round 5 (Thumb Gusset Start): K23 with MC, place marker, M1R, K1, M1L, place marker, K24 with MC. (50 sts total). The markers now enclose the thumb gusset stitches.
3. Rounds 6-7: Knit all sts with MC.
4. Round 8: K23, M1R, K3, M1L, K24. (52 sts total).
5. Continue increasing: Continue increasing every 3rd round (on rounds 11, 14, 17, 20, 23) in the same manner – knit to the first marker, M1R, knit to the second marker, M1L, knit to end of round. You will have 13 sts between the markers when all increases are complete (total 60 sts).
6. Rounds 24-25: Knit all sts with MC.
7. Round 26 (Separate Thumb): K23, slip the next 13 sts onto a waste yarn holder (these are the thumb stitches), CO 1 st with MC (using the backward loop method), K24. (48 sts total – 24 for the back of hand, 24 for the palm).
8. Begin Fair Isle Pattern: Now you will work the Fair Isle chart on the back of the hand (the 24 sts after the thumb opening). The palm (24 sts) stays in MC. Carry CC1 and CC2 loosely across the back of the work, being careful not to pull too tight to avoid puckering.

Heart Fair Isle Chart (Worked over 24 sts, 20 rows)

This chart is read from bottom to top, right to left. Work each row across the 24 back-of-hand stitches. The palm stitches are always knit in MC.

• Rows 1-4: All MC
• Row 5: K6 MC, K12 CC1, K6 MC
• Row 6: K5 MC, K14 CC1, K5 MC
• Row 7: K4 MC, K16 CC1, K4 MC
• Row 8: K3 MC, K18 CC1, K3 MC
• Row 9: K2 MC, K20 CC1, K2 MC
• Row 10: K2 MC, K6 CC1, K2 CC2, K4 CC1, K2 CC2, K6 CC1, K2 MC (heart top begins)
• Row 11: K2 MC, K5 CC1, K4 CC2, K2 CC1, K4 CC2, K5 CC1, K2 MC
• Row 12: K2 MC, K4 CC1, K6 CC2, K2 CC1, K6 CC2, K4 CC1, K2 MC
• Row 13: K2 MC, K3 CC1, K8 CC2, K2 CC1, K8 CC2, K3 CC1, K2 MC
• Row 14: K2 MC, K2 CC1, K10 CC2, K2 CC1, K10 CC2, K2 CC1, K2 MC
• Row 15: K2 MC, K2 CC1, K10 CC2, K2 CC1, K10 CC2, K2 CC1, K2 MC
• Row 16: K2 MC, K3 CC1, K8 CC2, K2 CC1, K8 CC2, K3 CC1, K2 MC
• Row 17: K2 MC, K4 CC1, K6 CC2, K2 CC1, K6 CC2, K4 CC1, K2 MC
• Row 18: K2 MC, K5 CC1, K4 CC2, K2 CC1, K4 CC2, K5 CC1, K2 MC
• Row 19: K2 MC, K6 CC1, K2 CC2, K4 CC1, K2 CC2, K6 CC1, K2 MC
• Row 20: All MC

Cable Accents

1. After completing the chart, continue with MC only. Work 2 rounds plain (knit all sts).
2. Cable accent round: K2 MC, C4F, K4 MC, C4B, K4 MC, C4F, K2 MC (over the 24 back-of-hand sts), then K24 MC for palm. This creates a woven cable effect on either side of the heart.
3. Repeat this cable round every 6 rounds, 3 times total. This means you will work the cable round on the first round after the plain rounds, then 5 plain rounds, then the cable round again, and so on.

Decrease for Top

Once the cables are complete, you will shape the top of the mitten. These decreases are worked evenly around the entire mitten.

1. Round 1: *K2, K2tog, K4, SSK, K2*; repeat from * to * around (40 sts).
2. Round 2: *K1, K2tog, K4, SSK, K1*; repeat from * to * around (32 sts).
3. Round 3: *K2tog, K4, SSK*; repeat from * to * around (24 sts).
4. Round 4: *K2tog, K2, SSK*; repeat from * to * around (16 sts).
5. Round 5: *K2tog, SSK*; repeat from * to * around (8 sts).
6. Cut yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail. Thread the tail through a tapestry needle, slip it through the remaining 8 sts, pull tight to close the top, and weave in the end securely.

Thumb

1. Carefully place the 13 sts from the waste yarn holder onto 2 DPNs. Pick up and knit 1 st from the CO st at the base of the thumb (the backward loop st you created). You now have 14 sts. Distribute them over 3 DPNs (e.g., 5, 5, 4).
2. Knit in MC for 12 rounds, or until the thumb reaches the base of your thumbnail. Try it on to check length.
3. Decrease round: *K2tog* around (7 sts). Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight, and weave in the end.

Left Mitten (Mirror Image)

Work the same as the right mitten, but mirror the thumb gusset placement. Instead of starting the gusset after K23, you will start it after K24. Specifically:

• Round 5 (Thumb Gusset Start): K24, place marker, M1R, K1, M1L, place marker, K23. (50 sts total).
• Continue all increases and the thumb separation in the mirrored position (i.e., knit to the first marker, M1R, knit to the second marker, M1L, knit to end of round).
• When separating the thumb, you will K24, slip the next 13 sts to waste yarn, CO 1 st, K23. The Fair Isle chart will still be centered over the 24 back-of-hand sts (the sts after the thumb opening).

Finishing

1. Weave in all ends securely using a tapestry needle. Be sure to weave in the Fair Isle floats carefully to avoid any loose loops on the inside.
2. Block gently to shape. Do not stretch the Fair Isle area too aggressively, as this can distort the pattern. A gentle steam block or a soak in lukewarm water with wool wash, followed by laying flat to dry, works best.
3. Repeat all steps for the second mitten (one right, one left).

Your Hearthstone Heart Mittens are now complete! These cozy, handcrafted mittens are perfect for cold winter days, and the thoughtful design details make them a truly special gift. Enjoy the warmth and the compliments!