In keeping with the spirit of Valentine’s Day on Sunday, we would like to share a free mittens pattern, compliments of DROPS Design. This mittens pattern, called “Keep in Touch,” makes the most amazing mittens that are great gifts for our homeless veterans and their dependents. These mittens offer the perfect mixture of warmth and comfort while also providing the wearer with the ability to do all of those little things that still require your bare fingers.

Click this link to access DROPS Design’s ‘Keep in Touch’ pattern

At first glance, the pattern may look a little intimidating, but there are many helpful instructional videos both at the bottom of the pattern webpage and in the “Tips and Help” section of the DROPS Design website. This company is also very good at answering questions about their patterns if you drop them a line or post in the comments section on the pattern site. If you do find yourself needing additional help with this, or any pattern that you are working on for our homeless veterans and their dependents, our experienced staff is on call to help with your crafting questions.

Pro Tip #1: Gauge is very important when making these mittens. Please remember to knit a swatch to check your gauge. If you are a loose knitter, try moving down a needle size in order to achieve the recommended gauge. For example, the recommended needle for the body of the mitten is a U.S. 6. Loose knitters might try a size U.S. 5. Conversely, if you are a tight knitter, try moving up a needle size (e.g. the recommended needle is a size U.S. 6 for the body of the mitten; tight knitters might try a size U.S. 7).

Pro Tip #2: When making the thumb and forefinger openings, the pattern calls for you to cast off 4 stitches for each opening respectively. This size opening may be a little tight for average adult males in the U.S. (as was the case with one of our male colleagues). This can be easily remedied. Simply follow the pattern as instructed up to the point where you cast off stitches for the respective openings. Instead of casting off 4 stitches, try casting off 5. Follow the pattern as instructed, remembering to cast on 5 stitches on the next round.

Pro Tip #3: If you have a jog at the cast on round when you join, cast on an extra stitch (e.g. the pattern calls for you to cast on 42 stitches, instead cast on 43). When you are ready to join in the round, (first, make sure not to twist your stitches) slip the first stitch on your left needle to the right needle. Now pass the extra stitch that you cast on (the 43rd one) over the first stitch. Then, move the first stitch back to the left needle and knit as usual. You should now have the original cast on number of stitches (e.g. 42 stitches). This creates a nice and tidy cast on edge for the garment.

Although several of the Stand Downs that we support have been postponed or have had to be altered to keep our communities safe in this current pandemic, we are still collecting goods that will be sent to the various V.A.s throughout the year so please, please keep crafting! If you are not a crafter, but would like to help, there are still many ways to support our cause! Please consider donating materials and/or making a monetary donation to help us cover the costs of materials, shipping, and overhead. If you need yarn, or other supplies, please contact us through email at thriveassociation@thrivevets.org or by phone at (469) 427-9654. If you have donations, we are still continuing our policy of curbside pickup. Please contact us to schedule a pickup if you are in the DFW area. If you reside outside the DFW area and would like to make an in-kind donation, please contact us to make arrangements. Remember, even one lovingly handcrafted hat can make a huge difference in the life of an underprivileged veteran or their dependent.