Free Squirrel Mittens Crochet Pattern

The Squirrel Mittens are a free crochet colorwork mitten pattern, and the full written pattern is right here on this page. Each mitten has a squirrel, leaves, and a border of little trees, worked in split single crochet so the fabric looks like knitting. Every round is written out color by color, and there’s a video tutorial to walk you through it.

This one was a goal of mine for a long time. I always loved the Scandinavian style mittens you see in knit, and I wanted that look in crochet. So I tried, and I failed, the classic story of a designer, and the mitten landed in my time-out pile.

Then one day while I was organizing yarn, I came across that abandoned mitten. It didn’t make me sad, it made me determined. I couldn’t find my old notes or charts, so I scrapped the past and started over, and I’m so glad I did. Now I’ve given the pattern a fresh update and put the whole thing here for free.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.

Why You’ll Love the Squirrel Mittens

• The squirrel, leaf, and tree motifs give you that Scandinavian mitten look, made in crochet.
• Split single crochet makes a dense fabric that looks like knitting.
• Every round is written out color by color, for both the left and right hand.
• The thumb is worked right into a gap you leave in the mitten, so there’s no sewing it on.
• About 390 yds of fingering weight yarn makes the whole pair.
• A full video tutorial walks you through every step.

Yarn Substitutions

Want to skip the wool? Any fingering weight (#1) yarn works here, as long as you match the gauge. Look for a smooth, light colored yarn and two darker contrast colors, so the squirrels and leaves really pop.

• Comfy Fingering Yarn by Crochet.com: 75% Pima Cotton, 25% Acrylic, 218yds/50g, 1 ball of each color
• Sirdar Snuggly 4 Ply: 55% Nylon, 45% Acrylic, 247yds/50g, 1 ball of each color
• Hobbii Rainbow Cotton 8/4: 100% Cotton, 175yds/50g, 1 ball of each color

Keep these in mind when you swap. Cotton and cotton blends have less stretch than merino, so the mittens will feel a little snugger going on and won’t spring back as much. Acrylic and acrylic blends are soft, warm, budget friendly, and easy to wash. Plant fibers aren’t as warm as wool, so they make a lighter mitten. Steer clear of fuzzy or textured yarns, since they blur the colorwork.

Skill Level

Intermediate. You’ll want to be comfortable working in the round and changing colors often. If split single crochet is new to you, my split single crochet tutorial and the video below will get you there.

Squirrel Mittens Size and Measurements

One size adult. The finished mittens measure about 4½″ across the hand and 10½″ long, including the cuff.

Abbreviations

• blo: back loop only
• ch: chain
• Rnd(s): round(s)
• sc: single crochet
• sl st: slip stitch
• ssc: split single crochet
• ssc2tog: split single crochet 2 together
• st(s): stitch(es)

This pattern uses standard US terminology.

Special Stitches

Split Single Crochet (ssc): Also called the waistcoat stitch. Insert your hook through the center of the “V” of the next st, between its two front legs, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through both loops on the hook.

Split Single Crochet 2 Together (ssc2tog): Insert your hook through the center of the “V” of the next st, yarn over and pull up a loop, insert your hook through the center of the “V” of the following st, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on the hook.

New to this stitch? My split single crochet tutorial shows it step by step, worked in the round and flat.

Gauge

21 sts and 25 rnds = 4″ (10 cm) in ssc, worked in the round.

How to Care for Your Squirrel Mittens

These mittens are made with superwash merino, so they’re easy to care for. Always check your ball band for the yarn’s own care instructions.

• Washing: Turn the mittens inside out and place them in a mesh laundry bag. Machine wash on a gentle, cool cycle with a mild wool wash, or hand wash in cool water. Skip the fabric softener and bleach.
• Drying: Gently press out the extra water with a towel. Don’t wring or twist them. Lay them flat to dry, shaping the thumb and cuff as they dry. Air drying keeps the colorwork crisp and the mittens from stretching.
• Blocking: Lay the damp mittens flat and smooth the colorwork so the stitches sit even. A light steam from your iron, held just above the fabric, works too.
• Storing: Store them flat or folded in a drawer, not hanging. Tuck in a cedar block or lavender sachet over the warmer months to keep moths away.

Squirrel Mittens FAQs

Is the Squirrel Mittens pattern free?

Yes. The full written pattern for both hands, the thumb, and the cuff is free right here on the blog. The ad-free printable PDF, with the colorwork charts, is available to purchase.

Are the left and right mittens different?

Yes. Rnds 1 to 14 are the same on both, then each hand has its own rounds so the thumb sits on the correct side.

How much yarn do I need?

About 390 yds for the pair, which is about 130 yds of each of the three colors.

How do I keep the colorwork from puckering?

Keep your floats loose. Spread your stitches out on the hook before each color change, so the yarn you carry isn’t pulling the fabric in.

Can I sell the mittens I make from this pattern?

Yes. Finished items may be sold on a small scale, and credit is always appreciated. The pattern itself may not be copied or shared.

Squirrel Mittens Video Tutorial

Follow along with the full Squirrel Mittens video tutorial. It walks you through the split single crochet colorwork, the thumb gap, the thumb, and the cuff.

Get the Ad-Free PDF and the App Version

Prefer to crochet without ads? The printable PDF has everything on this page plus the colorwork charts, all in one place.

Your purchase also unlocks the interactive version of the Squirrel Mittens in the Briana K Stitch app. Work the pattern round by round and check off each one as you go, with a built-in row counter that saves your progress, so you always know right where you left off.

Squirrel Mittens Written Pattern

Styling Your Squirrel Mittens

Pick Colors That Pop

The samples are in Sea Salt Heather, Serpent Heather, and Voyage Heather. If you choose your own, go for one light color and two darker contrast colors, so the squirrels and leaves stand out.

Wear Them All Winter

Superwash merino keeps your hands warm and goes right in the wash, so these are mittens you can actually wear every day.

Hook down? Not so fast…

I’d Love to See Yours!

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Get the Squirrel Mittens Pattern

• Etsy: Squirrel Mittens on Etsy
• Ravelry: Squirrel Mittens on Ravelry
• Shop: Squirrel Mittens in my shop
• YouTube: Squirrel Mittens video tutorial

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