Dollar Store Drab to Dollar Store Fab Children Mitten Sleeves

Remember those lovely winter childhood memories? 

The stinging, burning, freezing hands and trying desperately to muscle your way back into a mitten that fell in the snow, who’s cavity was now sopping wet and impossible to slide into?

Yeah, me too… Good times… 

How about NOT making this such a prominent memory this winter for the kids in your life.  Take some time to bless your community children by making some mitten sleeves 💛.  

Also check out my BALACLAVA!   This is my kids winter gear and they are some of the projects I am most proud of.  They keep my kids warm and protected.  There is a cute fox version unlike the plain one below, I’ve posted the link to that post just below  so you can visit there, and  you can find it in my Pattern Shop.  

“Those are the best hats…”  one of my sons kindergarten teacher said. 

“I wish I had a hat like yours…”  one of my older sons classmates said.  I’m sure full of envy on a bitterly cold day.  Poor soul lol. 

That Awesome Mom Fox Balaclava

Good quality mittens with long enough sleeves usually run you $14 at a minimum, unless you can get some on sale or used.  Even the ones I got were too short and persisted in popping out of the sleeves!  As you can see below the mitten sleeves will go up another 2 inches or so which makes all the difference.   

And you know you need a couple pairs because, oh, how easily and quickly they can disappear.  So if you can make mittens for $4, how great is that!? Further… these won’t be misplaced as easily as others because they’re so bright and unique.

So this post qualifies to be part of my frugal living page.  Because it will save you money and time! Less lost mittens and no freezing red hands. Kids can just go play and have fun as they should. 

THESE BABIES AREN’T COMING OFF 🙂 

What you’ll need:

• Dollar Store Mittens with a knit cuff  (TIP: check the mittens before purchasing to ensure the liners are sewn in well and the thumbs aren’t annoying.  We purchased a couple pairs that fit inferior to others)
• Worsted weight 4 yarn in colour of choice
• Darling needle 
• Scissors 
• 2.5mm Crochet Hook 
• 4.5mm Crochet Hook 

You can find some good stuff at Dollar Stores.  How can you beat a warm fuzzy animal hat for $2-4?   I actually still have a pair of mittens that I had bought for myself over 8 years ago now.  They’re a faux suede with faux fur inside. I am not an outdoor enthusiast mind you, so they are mainly used to drive and keep me warm, yet still, I’m quite happy having only paid a few dollars for fuzzy mittens that I’ve had for this long!  

So though they are cheap, these little mittens are a great $4 spent. 

Let me take you through how I made mine. It’s as simple as I’m sure you expect.

Step 1 – Round 1: Insert your 2.5mm hook about 1/4″ – 1/3″ down from the top of the cuff.  I inserted my hook from the outside to the inside of the cuff. Pull through your yarn, enough so it’s not too tight, and complete a slip stitch.   

Skip 2-3 ribs on the mitten cuff and repeat, but this time and for each stitch around, make single crochets rather than a slip stitch.

You want to end up with 22 stitches all the way around for the size 3-6 years. 

If you end up with more than that amount of stitches, don’t worry.  Just make as many double crochet decreases (dc2tog) on the next round as you need to end up with 22 sts. If you end up with less than 22sts, I would frog it and try again.    

Once you get all the way around, slip stitch to the first single crochet.

Step 2. Round 2:  Switch to your 4.5 mm hook.  Ch2. Dc in each stitch around. Join with a slip stitch to close the round.  (22sts) 

Step 3.  Rounds 3-8:  Ch2.  Dc around.  Make 7 or 8 rows total of double crochet, or until the crocheted sleeves are approximately 3.5-4″ long.  You’re done!  Tie off, and weave in the ends. 

I hope this idea blesses you and your children!  It has saved me from constantly running outside to put mittens back on and tuck them up, only to be out again a minute later to do the same.

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Stay Warm!