Ribbed Picot Driving Mitts: Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

These Ribbed Picot Driving Mitts are a love letter to 1970s style: a straight, no-fuss tube in denim blue with a crisp cream picot trim at the top and around the thumb. Worked entirely in single crochet through the back loop, they build a stretchy vertical rib that hugs the hand without any shaping. They are written for experienced crocheters who are comfortable working in the round and reading a simple repeat, but every round is spelled out so you can follow along with confidence. Slip them on and they feel soft, springy, and just warm enough for cool mornings behind the wheel.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Aran weight wool blend (for example 80% wool, 20% nylon), approximately 120 yards total: 100 yards denim blue (color A) and 20 yards cream (color B).
• Hook: 4.5 mm (US 7) crochet hook.
• Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, tape measure.
• Finished size: To fit a women's medium hand: circumference 7 inches (18 cm), length 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) from wrist to top.

Abbreviations

• ch — chain: yarn over and pull through the loop on your hook.
• sc — single crochet: insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
• sl st — slip stitch: insert hook, yarn over, pull through the stitch and the loop on your hook.
• blo — back loop only: work into the loop of the stitch farthest from you.
• picot — ch 3, then sl st into the third ch from the hook, making a small bump.
• R — round.

Gauge

16 stitches and 14 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in pattern stitch (single crochet in the back loop only). Work a small swatch in the round and measure the stitch and row counts before beginning; if you have more stitches than this, go up a hook size, and if you have fewer, go down.

Tips Before You Start

• Make sure your starting chain is not twisted before joining into a ring — a twist here cannot be fixed later.
• Always work the first stitch of each round into the same stitch as the joining slip stitch unless told otherwise, and mark it with a stitch marker so your counts stay true.
• Keep your tension relaxed and even; tight back-loop single crochet makes the rib stiff and harder to pull over the hand.
• Work both mitts one after the other so your gauge stays consistent, and check the fit after Round 20 before starting the thumb opening.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Mitt (make 2)

Set-up: With A, ch 28, join with sl st to first ch to form a ring, being careful not to twist.

R1: Ch 1, sc in each ch around, join with sl st to first sc (28 sc).

R2: Ch 1, sc in blo of each sc around, join with sl st to first sc (28 sc).

R3–20: Repeat R2 (28 sc). Do not fasten off.

Thumb Opening

R21: Ch 1, sc in blo of next 4 sc, ch 6, skip next 6 sc, sc in blo of each remaining 18 sc, join with sl st to first sc (24 sc, 6 ch).

R22: Ch 1, sc in blo of each sc and in each ch around, join with sl st to first sc (30 sc).

R23: Ch 1, sc in blo of each sc around, join with sl st to first sc (30 sc).

R24–30: Repeat R23 (30 sc). Fasten off A.

Top Edging

Join B with sl st to any sc at the top edge.

R31: Ch 1, sc in each sc around, join with sl st to first sc (30 sc).

R32: Ch 1, sc in first sc, *ch 3, sl st in third ch from hook (picot), sc in next sc; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off B.

Thumb Edging

Join B with sl st to any ch at the thumb opening.

R33: Ch 1, sc in each ch and sc around the thumb opening, join with sl st to first sc (12 sc).

R34: Ch 1, sc in first sc, *ch 3, sl st in third ch from hook (picot), sc in next sc; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off B.

Assembly and Finishing

Weave in all ends on the wrong side, running each tail through a few stitches before trimming. Lightly block each mitt to the finished measurements: mist with water, pat into shape flat, and let dry completely, keeping the picot edges relaxed and open. No seaming is needed, as each mitt is worked in one continuous tube.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the cream picot trim for a contrast color that matches your coat, or work the whole mitt in a single color for a cleaner look.
• Add a round of single crochet at the wrist edge before the picot trim if you prefer a more finished lower edge.
• For a slightly larger fit, add 2 stitches to the starting chain and work the same rounds, checking the thumb opening placement against your hand.