Crafting

LitKnits: 22 Patterns for Literary Mittens

Leila Roy

Staff Writer

After a lengthy stint as a children's bookseller, Leila Roy took a step sideways into the library world. There, she does the same thing she did as a bookseller—matching people with stories in any and all formats, whether print, audio, film, comic, or some newfangled hybrid—but doesn't have to deal with changing the tape on the cash register. She lives in Maine with her husband, where she runs her small-town library and occasionally tries to rescue wildlife from her cat, who is a murderer. In addition to talking books at her long-running blog, Bookshelves of Doom, she's a weekly columnist at Kirkus Reviews. Blog: Bookshelves of Doom Twitter: @bkshelvesofdoom

Earlier this month, we rounded up some knitting and crocheting patterns for book-inspired hats. But we’ve got to protect our hands from the elements, too, so let’s do it in style!

Lantern Waste Mittens, by Kjerstin Gjengedal

Lantern Waste Mittens, by Kjerstin Gjengedal

If you’re whisked away to Narnia this winter, maybe the White Witch will go a little easier on you if show up wearing mittens bearing the likeness of Maugrim, the Captain of her Secret Police?

Alice in Wonderland Mittens, by Jennifer Lang
Alice’s Queen of Hearts Gloves, by Crystal Baer

Alice in Wonderland Mittens, by Jennifer Lang

Alice’s Queen of Hearts gloves by Crystal Baer

I’m in Wonderland already just looking at these. (Those wristers are completely perfect as-is, but I’m thinking white and blue for the mittens.)

Bella’s Mittens, by Marielle Henault

Bella's Mittens by Marielle Henault

No matter how many vampires you hang out with—or smooch—these mittens will keep you warm.

District 12, by Bethany McRae
Primrose Everdeen Gloves, by Merry Elizabeth Porter

District 12, by Bethany McRae

Primrose Everdeen Gloves, by Merry Elizabeth Porter

Life in The Hunger Games‘ District 12 is hard enough without having to deal with cold hands. I especially love the subtle arrow detail in the first pattern.

Den hemmelige hagen (The Secret Garden), by Tori Seierstad

Den hemmelige hagen (The secret garden), by Tori Seierstad

The fact that the designer included the robin and the key? I swoon.

Tess Fingerless Gloves, by Nikol Lohr
Dorian Gray Fingerless Gloves, by Nikol Lohr

Tess Fingerless Gloves, by Nikol Lohr

Dorian Gray Fingerless Gloves, by Nikol Lohr

Looking for something a little more subtle, but still literary? Let Thomas Hardy or Oscar Wilde come to your rescue! Bonus: Both of these patterns were inspired by actual Victorian era designs. (Double personal bonus: I especially love wristers because they don’t interfere with typing—that way, on days when the library is especially cold, I can wear them INSIDE.)

O.W.L. Mittens, by Celeste Young
Hermione’s Cable and Bobble Mittens, by Lauren Kent

O.W.L. Mittens, by Celeste Young

Hermione's Cable and Bobble Mittens, by Lauren Kent

I love both patterns, but I can’t even look at those O.W.L. mittens without squeeing.

Chawton Mittens, by Anne Blayney
Damask Mittens, by Maria Yarley

Chawton Mittens, by Anne Blayney

Damask Mittens, by Maria Yarley

While I picture Regency era ladies wearing dainty lacy mitts, I need something a tad more substantial to get me through a Maine winter. Either of these would do the trick nicely.

Cthulhu Mittens, by Lyle Stafford

Cthulhu Mittens, by Lyle Stafford

These would go PERFECTLY with either of the Cthulhu hats in this post.

Batgirl Gloves, by Ansley Bleu
Captain Marvel Fingerless Gloves, by maratini knits
Fightin’ Words, by Annie Watts
Crocheted Iron Man Fingerless Gloves, by Louis Mensinger

Batgirl Gloves, by Ansley Bleu

Captain Marvel Fingerless Gloves, by maratini knits

Fightin' Words, by Annie Watts

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Channel your inner superhero with any of these! (I can’t decide between the Batgirl or the Fightin’ Words—I guess they’ll BOTH have to go on the list.)

The Gates of Moria, by Natalia Moreva
Rangers of Ithilien Gauntlets, by Kristen Howard
Battle Gauntlets, by Adrienne Lawrence
Dwarven Mitts, by Alice Hyde

The Gates of Moria, by Natalia Moreva

Rangers of Ithilien Gauntlets, by Kristen Howard

Battle Gauntlets, by Adrienne Lawrence

Dwarven Mitts, by Alice Hyde

If comics don’t do it for you, you could channel any of your favorite heroes from Middle-earth, instead. (Those buckles on the Ranger Gauntlets! *faints*)

There are lots more out there—as before, I’d love to see your favorites in the comments!