This one had a few eagle-eyed Instagram followers asking questions before it was even finished. The inspiration came from an adorable mini mitten garland spotted at Anthropologie, and the goal was to recreate that same charm on a larger, more impactful scale.
The result is exactly the kind of cozy, handmade holiday decoration that makes a home feel genuinely festive rather than just decorated.
What You Need
- Mittens, crocheted or otherwise (more on this below)
- String, twine, ribbon or a length of crochet chain stitch
- Yarn in whatever colors suit the space
How to Make It
Step 1: Gather the Mittens
The mittens for this garland were crocheted from scratch. The original pattern used is no longer available, but a very similar free pattern can be found over at Crochet Me.
Crochet not in the picture? There are plenty of other ways to source the mittens. Thrift stores often have an abundance of them for next to nothing, and outgrown children’s mittens are perfect candidates for a second life as garland. Buying mittens out of season is another option, as prices drop significantly once winter merchandise clears out. For a simpler approach entirely, mitten shapes cut from felt work beautifully and require no sewing skills at all.
Step 2: Choose the Colors
Color choice is entirely open here, and that creative freedom is one of the best parts of making this garland by hand. A mix of whatever yarn is already in the stash gives a cheerful, eclectic look. Red and white or gold and white reads as more elegant and classic. An all white mitten garland hung against a darker wall or door would be genuinely striking. There is no wrong direction to go.
Step 3: Attach the Mittens to the Garland
Once the mittens are ready, tie or attach them along a length of string, twine, ribbon or crocheted chain stitch at evenly spaced intervals. A crochet chain works particularly well as it has a natural flexibility and texture that suits the handmade aesthetic of the project perfectly.
Ideas for Displaying the Garland
Outdoors, this garland looks wonderful draped along railings, looped between fence posts, strung between trees or framed around a front door. The scale of full size mittens means it reads well from a distance and makes a real impression on anyone approaching the house.
Indoors there are just as many options. Windows, stair railings and the top of a large piece of furniture like a sideboard or buffet all work beautifully. Draped along a mantel, the garland takes on an extra layer of functionality: hang the mittens with the openings facing upward and tuck small gifts or treats inside as a countdown to the holidays. A decorative advent calendar that doubles as a garland is a genuinely clever use of the format.