We can’t resist the sight of babies in mittens. They are so cute and oh so adorable! But there’s more to this fragile cuteness than meets the eye. Mittens are a form of protection for newborns, who are still developing their motor skills. These mittens come in many styles and designs, but it might be difficult to find what you really want. We’re going to teach you how to knit baby mittens with 2 needles, so you don’t have to purchase a pair for your baby.
Quick Guide On How To Knit Baby Mittens
Knitting is a relaxing activity. It allows you to create both useful and beautiful things like baby mittens. But the activity can be complex, especially when there are a lot of needles involved. We’ll simplify it for you the best way we can by teaching you how to knit baby mittens with 2 needles.
For this activity, you will need:
- Yarn of your choice
- 3.75mm needles (2 pieces)
- Sewing needle
Steps to take:
- Step 1 – Get your yarn and your needles.
- Step 2 – Cast on 24 stitches.
- Step 3 – Rows 1- 14: knit 2 purl 2.
- Step 4 – Use a stockinette stitch until the mitten is at 5 inches or 13 centimeters.
- Step 5 – Row 1: k4, k2tog, and repeat from K4 to the end of the row.
- Step 6 – Row 2: Purl all.
- Step 7 – Row 3: k3, k2tog, and repeat from k3 to the end of the row.
- Step 8 – Row 4: Purl all.
- Step 9 – Row 5: k2, k2tog, and repeat from k2 to the end of the row.
- Step 10 – Row 6: p1, p2tog, and repeat from p1 to the end of the row.
- Step 11 – Row 7: k2tog and repeat to the end of the row.
- Step 12 – Cut the yarn and make sure you leave a long tail.
- Step 13 – Attach your sewing needle.
- Step 14 – Weave through your last stitches.
- Step 15 – Pull to fasten.
- Step 16 – Fold the mitten inside out.
- Step 17 – Sew up the seam to close up the mitten.
- Step 18 – Weave in the ends.
- Step 19 – Roll up the cuffs, and you have a baby mitten!
This pattern is for babies 3 to 6 months old. Now that you know how to knit baby mittens with 2 needles, let’s learn all about them.
Does My Baby Need Baby Mittens?
There is constant debate about baby mittens on infants, especially as an item for sleepwear. That’s why we’re going to look at some of the pros and cons of wearing baby mittens.
The Advantages Of Baby Mittens
Baby mittens help ease parents’ worry. Babies can grow sharp fingernails, and mittens protect their tender faces from the possibility of scratching.
Baby mittens help keep babies warm. If it’s cold or chilly, their mittens are an effective way of keeping them warm. But like the other items of clothing on newborns, these have to be used with caution.
The Disadvantages Of Baby Mittens
Baby mittens don’t stay on well. Mittens only cover the hands and the wrist. They don’t go far up the arms, which supposedly makes it more secure.
Baby mittens prevent your baby from self-soothing. Babies use their hands to soothe themselves in utero. In this new environment, they will need their hands to continue to self-soothe, and the mittens can make it difficult for them.
Baby mittens prevent your baby from using their sense of touch. Babies during this stage want to grab on to anything they can touch. They’re still familiarizing themselves with the environment, and mittens block that natural desire.
The parents ultimately decide whether their baby should be wearing mittens or not. When used the right way, baby mittens should not be a hazard, especially under parents’ strict supervision.
There’s more to the art of knowing how to knit baby mittens with 2 needles. Knitting effectively also means you need to use knitted pieces of clothing responsibly. In the absence of mittens, there are alternatives in place.
Alternatives To Wearing Baby Mittens
Long-sleeved T-shirts or bodysuits with hand covers – these items of clothing cover your baby securely. So there is no risk of falling off.
Swaddling – this method of wrapping the baby around securely to mimic the womb, is considered a safe option for babies when sleeping.
Filing your baby’s nails – It is a challenge to clip your baby’s nails, but an alternative to clipping is nail filing. Keep your baby’s nail filed, so there is no risk of self-scratching.
Baby Scratching And How To Prevent Them
The purpose of baby mittens is to prevent babies from accidentally scratching themselves. Knowing why babies scratch themselves will help you understand how to address it and follow the root cause for the need for mittens.
Dry and itchy skin – Dry or flaky skin is a common reason for babies to scratch their faces.
What to do:
- Be cautious about your baby’s diet to prevent any allergies.
- Start a gentle and healthy skincare routine for your baby.
Reflex – It is natural for babies to get startled. When they sense or experience something new, they might start flailing their arms. This is known as a startle reflex.
What to do:
- Avoid sudden noise or bright lights, so your baby doesn’t get startled.
Exploring their face with their sense of touch – Reaching out to their own face is a natural response and is part of their development. This is unavoidable and is also a healthy sign, but it may cause those accidental scratches to the face.
What to do:
- Use baby mittens
- Utilize a swaddling method
Conclusion
As new parents, we try to protect our babies the best way we can, which is why we resort to knitted apparel to keep them warm and prevent them from scratching their faces. Knowing how to knit baby mittens with 2 needles is an excellent way to make some of those protective pieces of clothing yourself. Know more about baby clothes.