How Much Yarn Do I Need To Knit Mittens? (Answers for 5 Sizes)

Our included yarn calculation table gives you the quick answers to the question – How much yarn do I need to knit mittens? No running out of yarn!

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Frustrated Teacher Quits In Disgust, Sells The Farm, Moves The Family Halfway Across The World And… Starts Knitting

Table Of Contents

• How Much Yarn Do I Need To For A Pair Of Mittens?
• How Much Worsted Weight Yarn For Knitting Mittens?
• How Many Yards Of Wool Do I Need To Make Mittens?
• How Many Skeins Of Yarn Do I Need For Mittens? 
• How Many Balls Of Yarn For Mittens?
• How Many Ounces Of Yarn For Mittens?

I reviewed, fact checked and updated this post on May 28, 2023.

I highly recommend using a pattern for knitting mittens. The designer gives details of the yarn weight and the yardage. Here are some great options for yarn in my guide.

The example pattern I’m using is The World’s Simplest Mittens pattern by Tin Can Knits using stockinette stitch. It’s a great option for beginners. There’s a range of size inclusions and options for different yarn weights.

How Much Yarn Do I Need For A Pair Of Mittens?

Mittens In Fingering Weight Yarn 

Toddler

To knit mittens measuring 5″ (12.7 cm) for the hand circumference, 7.25″ (18.4 cm) for the mitten length, and 2.5″ (6.35 cm) for the cuff length.

You need a min. of 140 yards (128 meters) of finger weight (Superfine #1) yarn. Total weight of 3.5 oz (100 g). Number of skeins is 1 skein (each skein weighs 3.5 oz/ (100 g).

Child

To knit mittens measuring hand circumference 6 inches (15.2 cm), Mitten Length 8.5 inches (21.6 cm), Cuff Length 2.5 inches (6.4 cm).

You need a min. of 160 yards (146 meters) of Finger Weight (Superfine #1) yarn, total weight of 3.5 oz (100 g) – Number of skeins is 1 skein (each skein weighs 3.5 oz/ (100 g).

Adult Small

To knit mittens measuring hand circumference 7 inches (17.8 cm), Mitten Length 10.5 inches (26.7 cm), Cuff Length 3 inches (7.6 cm).

You need a min. of 210 yards (192 meters) of Finger Weight (Superfine #1) yarn, total weight of 3.5 oz (100 g) – Number of skeins is 1 skein (each skein weighs 3.5 oz/ (100 g).

Adult Medium

To knit mittens measuring hand circumference 7.75 inches (19.7 cm), Mitten Length 12 inches (30.5cm), Cuff Length 4 inches (10.2 cm).

You need a min. of 260 yards ( 238 meters) of Finger Weight (Superfine #1) yarn, total weight of 3.5 oz (100 g) – Number of skeins is 1 skein (each skein weighs 3.5 oz/ (100 g).

Adult Large

To knit mittens measuring hand circumference 8.5 inches (21.6 cm), Mitten Length 13 inches (33 cm), Cuff Length 4 inches (10.2 cm).

You need a min. of 300 yards ( 274 meters) of Finger Weight (Superfine #1) yarn, total weight of 3.5 oz (100 g) – Number of skeins is 1 skein (each skein weighs 3.5 oz/ (100 g).

Mittens In DK Weight Yarn

Toddler

To knit mittens measuring hand circumference 5 inches (12.7 cm), Mitten Length 7.25 inches (18.4 cm), Cuff Length 2.5 inches (6.35 cm).

You need a min. of 100 yards (91.4 meters) of DK Weight (Light #3) yarn, total weight of 4 oz (115 g) – Number of skeins is 1 skein (each skein weighs 4 oz (115 g)

Child

To knit mittens measuring hand circumference 6 inches (15.2 cm), Mitten Length 8.5 inches (21.6 cm), Cuff Length 2.5 inches (6.4 cm).

You need a min. of 120 yards (110 meters) of DK Weight (Light #3) yarn, total weight of 4 oz (115 g) – Number of skeins is 1 skein (each skein weighs 4 oz (115 g)

Adult Small

To knit mittens measuring hand circumference 7 inches (17.8 cm), Mitten Length 10.5 inches (26.7 cm), Cuff Length 3 inches (7.6 cm).

You need a min. of 160 yards (146 meters) of DK Weight (Light #3) yarn, total weight of 4 oz (115 g) – Number of skeins is 1 skein (each skein weighs 4 oz (115 g)

Adult Medium

To knit mittens measuring hand circumference 7.75 inches (19.7 cm), Mitten Length 12 inches (30.5cm), Cuff Length 4 inches (10.2 cm).

You need a min. of 190 yards (174 meters) of DK Weight (Light #3) yarn, total weight of 4 oz (115 g) – Number of skeins is 1 skein (each skein weighs 4 oz (115 g)

Adult Large

To knit mittens measuring hand circumference 8.5 inches (21.6 cm), Mitten Length 13 inches (33 cm), Cuff Length 4 inches (10.2 cm).

You need a min. of 220 yards (201 meters) of DK Weight (Light #3) yarn, total weight of 8 oz (230 g) – Number of skeins is 2 skeins (each skein weighs 4 oz (115 g)

Mittens in Worsted Weight Yarn

Toddler

To knit mittens measuring hand circumference 5 inches (12.7 cm), Mitten Length 7.25 inches (18.4 cm), Cuff Length 2.5 inches (6.35 cm).

You need a min. of 90 yards (82 meters) of Worsted Weight (Medium #4) yarn, total weight of 4 oz (115 g) – Number of skeins is 1 skein (each skein weighs 4 oz (115 g)

Child

To knit mittens measuring hand circumference 6 inches (15.2 cm), Mitten Length 8.5 inches (21.6 cm), Cuff Length 2.5 inches (6.4 cm).

You need a min. of 100 yards (91 meters) of Worsted Weight (Medium #4) yarn, total weight of 4 oz (115 g) – Number of skeins is 1 skein (each skein weighs 4 oz (115 g)

Adult Small

To knit mittens measuring hand circumference 7 inches (17.8 cm), Mitten Length 10.5 inches (26.7 cm), Cuff Length 3 inches (7.6 cm).

You need a min. of 130 yards (119 meters) of Worsted Weight (Medium #4) yarn, total weight of 4 oz (115 g) – Number of skeins is 1 skein (each skein weighs 4 oz (115 g)

Adult Medium

To knit mittens measuring hand circumference 7.75 inches (19.7 cm), Mitten Length 12 inches (30.5cm), Cuff Length 4 inches (10.2 cm).

You need a min. of 160 yards (146 meters) of Worsted Weight (Medium #4) yarn, total weight of 4 oz (115 g) – Number of skeins is 1 skein (each skein weighs 4 oz (115 g)

Adult Large

To knit mittens measuring hand circumference 8.5 inches (21.6 cm), Mitten Length 13 inches (33 cm), Cuff Length 4 inches (10.2 cm).

You need a min. of 200 yards (183 meters) of Worsted Weight (Medium #4) yarn, total weight of 4 oz (115 g) – Number of skeins is 1 skein (each skein weighs 4 oz (115 g)

Mittens In Chunky Weight Yarn

Toddler

To knit mittens measuring hand circumference 5 inches (12.7 cm), Mitten Length 7.25 inches (18.4 cm), Cuff Length 2.5 inches (6.35 cm).

You need a min. of 70 yards (64 meters) of Chunky Weight (Bulky #5) yarn, total weight of 3.5 oz (100 g) – Number of skeins is 1 skein (each skein weighs 3.5 oz/ (100 g)

Child

To knit mittens measuring hand circumference 6 inches (15.2 cm), Mitten Length 8.5 inches (21.6 cm), Cuff Length 2.5 inches (6.4 cm).

You need a min. of 80 yards (73 meters) of Chunky Weight (Bulky #5) yarn, total weight of 3.5 oz (100 g) – Number of skeins is 1 skein (each skein weighs 3.5 oz/ (100 g)

Adult Small

To knit mittens measuring hand circumference 7 inches (17.8 cm), Mitten Length 10.5 inches (26.7 cm), Cuff Length 3 inches (7.6 cm).

You need a min. of 120 yards (110 meters) of Chunky Weight (Bulky #5) yarn, total weight of 7 oz (200 g) – Number of skeins is 2 skeins (each skein weighs 3.5 oz/ (100 g).

Adult Medium

To knit mittens measuring hand circumference 7.75 inches (19.7 cm), Mitten Length 12 inches (30.5cm), Cuff Length 4 inches (10.2 cm).

You need a min. of 150 yards (137 meters) of Chunky Weight (Bulky #5) yarn, total weight of 7 oz (200 g) – Number of skeins is 2 skeins (each skein weighs 3.5 oz/ (100 g).

Adult Large

To knit mittens measuring hand circumference 8.5 inches (21.6 cm), Mitten Length 13 inches (33 cm), Cuff Length 4 inches (10.2 cm).

You need a min. of 190 yards (174 meters) of Chunky Weight (Bulky #5) yarn, total weight of 7 oz (200 g) – Number of skeins is 2 skeins (each skein weighs 3.5 oz/ (100 g)

How Many Yards Of Wool Yarn To Knit Mittens?

To knit mittens measuring hand circumference 7 inches (17.8 cm), Mitten Length 10.5 inches (26.7 cm), Cuff Length 3 inches ( 7.6 cm) – (using the example pattern) you need a minimum of 130 yards (119 meters) of wool Worsted Weight #4) yarn.

How Many Skeins Of Yarn Do I Need For A Pair Of mittens?

To knit mittens measuring hand circumference 7 inches (17.8 cm), Mitten Length 10.5 inches (26.7 cm), Cuff Length 3 inches ( 7.6 cm) – (using the example pattern) you need a minimum of 1 skein (each skein weighs 4 oz/ (115 g) of Worsted Weight #4 Yarn.

How Many Balls Of Yarn Do I Need For Knit mittens?

To knit mittens measuring hand circumference 7 inches (17.8 cm), Mitten Length 10.5 inches (26.7 cm), Cuff Length 3 inches ( 7.6 cm) – (using the example pattern) you need a minimum of 1 ball of Worsted Weight #4 Yarn, (each ball weighs 4 oz/ (115 g).

How Many Ounces Of Yarn For Knit Mittens?

To knit mittens measuring hand circumference 7 inches (17.8 cm), Mitten Length 10.5 inches (26.7 cm), Cuff Length 3 inches ( 7.6 cm)– (using the example pattern) you need a minimum of 4 ounces (115 g) of Worsted Weight #4 yarn.

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Conclusion

Now you know how much yarn you’ll need to knit mittens, it’s time to start your next project! Want more fun knitting content, resources and inspiration? Sign up to our email list below for exclusive goodies that are only for subscribers.
Here’s another idea for a small knitting project – knit bikinis and read my next post on projects with scrap yarn.