Buffalo mittens are so classic! These cozy mittens are worked with 2 strands of worsted weight yarn, making them extra warm, and also feature a squishy, stretchy band.
[UPDATE: This pattern has had a glow-up! The original pattern is FREE below. The new version has been designed with 2 strands of worsted weight yarn, a stretchier band, and is worked from top to bottom. The new pattern can be purchased in my shops, and includes sizing from Baby – Adult Large]
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For Plaid Week this year (2024), we are doing something a bit different. I am reaching a back in time and pulling up some older patterns to give them a glow up. Some of the older patterns needed a full demo and reno, and some just needed some polishing and cleaning up.
This pattern is in the “polishing and cleaning up” category. The original is still usable and workable! (You can find the original version free below.) However, I wanted to remake them with a different yarn choice and adjust the construction method.
Truthfully, I love Brava Bulky, which is what the original pattern uses. That can be a bit tricker, however, because it’s not really a true #5, it’s more of a heavy worsted, so for some, finding a good substitution with the proper color options proved difficult.
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To give this pattern a glow up, I redesigned it using 2 strands of worsted weight held together. This makes it thicker and warmer, but also more accessible as worsted is much easier to find for many makers.
I also updated the ribbing using a stretchier stitch, and designed them to be worked from the top-down resulting in a cleaner look.
Look at her all glowed up!
I will still keep the older version for free in this blog post, as some people have loved working this version, but if you want the glow-up, links to purchase are below.
BUFFALO PLAID MITTENS – CROCHET PATTERN
$4.99
CROCHET BUFFALO PLAID MITTENS – (Original Free Version)
What you need:
– Bulky #5 Weight Yarn – Brava Bulky in Wine, Red and Black (< 1 Skein each)
– J Hook
– Darning Needle
Abbreviations: US Terms
Ch – chain
Sc – single crochet
Dc – Double Crochet
Sc2tog – Sc decrease
Sl st – Slip Stitch
St – stitch
Sk – Skip
Gauge: 12 dc sts = 4″
Need help with the Plaid Technique? Learn more here.
Adult Crochet Plaid Mittens:
Note: The mens mittens are similar to the women, with a few extra rows worked in. The Mens row number is in parenthesis.
Ch 6.
1. Work 3 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Sc in next 3 chs. Work 3 sc in last ch. Sc in next 3 ch (working along opposite side of chain). (12 sts)
Join with sl st with first st.
2. Ch 1. Work 2 sc in next 3 sts. Sc in next 3 sts. Work 2 sc in next 3 sts. Sc in next 3 sts. Join. (18 sts)
3. Ch 1. Sc in same st. Sc in next st. Work 2 sc in next st. Sc in next 9 sts. Work 2 sc in next st. Sc in next 5 sts. Join. (20 sts)
4. Ch 1. Sc in next 3 sts. Work 2 sc in next 2 sts. Sc in next 8 sts. Work 2 sc in next 2 sts. Sc in next 5 sts. Join. (24 sts)
5. Ch 1. Sc in next 3 sts. Work 2 sc in next 3 sts. Sc in next 10 sts. Work 2 sc in next 2 sts. Sc in next 6 sts. Join. (29 sts)
6. With Black, Ch 2.
Dc in same st. Dc in next st (counts as first block). Switch to wine. Dc in next 3 sts. Continue alternating between black and wine every 3 sts. Join with first st. (29 sts)
7. With wine, ch 2.
Dc in same st. Dc in next st (counts as first block). Switch to red. Dc in next 3 sts. Continue alternating between wine and red every 3 sts. Join with first st. (29 sts)
8. – 11. (12.) Repeat rows 6 and 7 respectively.
Thumbhole:
12. (13.) Right Mitten
Ch 2. Dc in same st. Dc in next st. Dc first 2 sts of the next block. Ch 6. Sk 6 sts. (carry the yarn across the hole, it will be worked into the thumb) Dc in next st, continuing the plaid color sequence. Finished the rounds with the Plaid st in the remaining stitches. (29 st) Join with sl st.
12. (13.) Left Mitten
Ch 2. Work 7 dc blocks (21 sts). Ch 6. Sk 6 sts. (carry the yarn across the hole, it will be worked into the thumb) Dc 2. Join with sl st. (29 sts)
13 – 14. (14. – 15.) Ch 2. Dc in same st. Dc in next st. Work plaid stitch all around. Join with sl st.
15. (16.) Switch to a hook size 2 sizes smaller, and using black:
Ch 2. Dc in each st around. Join with sl st. (29 sts)
Band:
16. – 19. (17. – 21.) Ch 2. Alternate fpdc and bpdc all around (be sure you are working the fpdc in the fpdc from previous round, to achieve a ribbing effect). Join with a sl st. (29 sts)
20. (22.) Ch 1. Sc in each st around. Join with a sl st. (29 sts)
Thumb:
You will be working a round thumb peice around the hole make by the skipped stitches.
1. Using your smaller hook, join Black in the first sk st of row 12 (13). Ch 1. Sc 6 across the unworked skipped stitches. Turn your work so the dc on the side of the thumbhole is horizontal. Use the height of the dc as 2 spaces, work a sc2tog. Turn again, so the mitten is finger end up. Work 6 sc across the bottom of the 6-ch from row 10. Turn mitten again so the dc on other side of thumbhole is horizontal. Use the dc as 2 spaces and work a sc2tog. Join with first st. (14 sts)
2. Ch 1. Sc in each st around. Join with a sl st. (14 sts)
3. Ch 1. Sc2tog. Sc in next 5 sts. Sc2tog. Sc in next 5 sts. Join with a sl st. (12 sts)
4. – 8. (9.) Ch 1. Sc in each st around. Join with a sl st. (12 sts)
9. (10.)Ch 1. Sc2tog 6 times. Join with sl st.
Break yarn, leave a long tail. Use tail to sew up the small remaining hole.
Watch a video on how to work the thumb:
Don’t these crochet plaid mittens just scream fall? They are perfect for romping around in a pile of sweet-smelling crunchy leaves or heading to the pumpkin patch (which we will be doing next week!).
I hope you enjoy making them and wearing them.
WANT MORE PLAID?
I’m having trouble with step one. Where do I single crochet in the next three stitches after working the 3 single crochets in the last chain?
You are working across the other side of the chain, so the chain is the center of the oblong shape.
Good morning! Wondering with the 3 skeins of different colored yarn if there is enough for two pair of mittens? Want to make sure we purchase enough. :) Thanks! Cori
Hm. I don’t recall how much I had left over. I want to say YES, but I am not 100% sure.
I have a silly question but I am confused. I am working on the Thumb hole right mitten. It says to chain 6 and skip 6 stitches and continue with plaid sequence. What do I do with the chain 6 when I complete the round and ready to start the next round?
I am sorry you are confused! You will work into each chain like you would a sc. You making a hole, so make sure you get each chain when you work across it.
Thank you for these wonderful mittens! Are they just worked in continuous rounds?
You’re welcome! They are not, they are joined each round.
Thank you for these awesome mittens! I am attempting the first row and am a little confused on the end of the first row. I sc 3 in the last stitch and then sc 3 again? So a total of 6 sc in the last stitch?
Sorry for the confusion! You are working a round around the foundation chain, like a long oval. 3 sc are the width on either side and 3 sc in each end.
How would I alter the woman’s or kid’s patter to fit a teenager (13)? Thank you Bethany! I am so thankful for your work, your patterns and your site! <3….oh and plaid week! :D
The easiest way would be to make the women’s mittens with a smaller hook. But a 13 year old might have similarly sized hand to woman, so you may not need to alter them at all.
For the kids sized mittens, row 3 doesn’t that add up to 21 stitches not 20?
Unless I’m doing something wrong cause I always end up with 21…
You are only increasing the row by 2, so the count is 20. Are you working an extra increase somewhere?