GUA News: GUA Duck Mittens
Move over Silly Goose Trend there's a new Anatidae in town meet the adorable Duck Mittens
November 23, 2025
by Diane Nolan
Because nobody asked for it – The GUA Duck Mittens
Sure, our classic GUA rubber duck has brought plenty of smiles over the years—but let’s be honest, it’s not winning any sustainability awards. This winter, we’re swapping the rubber duckie for stitches with a project that’s fun, practical and a little kinder to the planet: our GUA Duck Mittens.
As the weather starts to turn cold across Ireland and campus life gets a little more hectic as the academic year picks up, finding small moments of calm can make all the difference. For us Crochet is the first thing that comes to mind when we think of cozy mindfulness. The steady rhythm of stitches, the feel of yarn in your hands and the satisfaction of creating something from scratch is a real reset for our post-summit busy minds.
That’s why we’re bringing a bit of light-hearted fun to your study breaks with our GUA Duck Mittens—quirky, cosy and guaranteed to make you smile (and possibly spark a few conversations in the library).
Whether you’re looking for a mindful hobby, a creative distraction from deadlines, or just a way to keep your hands warm on the way to lectures, these mittens are the perfect cold-weather project. Ready to stitch your way to a calmer day?
What You’ll Need
Yarn: 1 ball Cream, 1 ball Light Yellow, a small amount of Black Yarn for the eyes
Crochet Hooks: US H (5mm) and I (5.25mm)
Scissors and a Yarn Needle to finish off.
Finished Size: Approximately 7″/17.5cm hand circumference
Nobody asked for them but that isn't a reason not to make them. If you get really good you could take orders or make them as holiday gifts for your friends and family
Stitch Abbreviations
Chain (ch)
Slip Stitch (sl st)
Single Crochet (sc)
Single Crochet 2 Together (sc2tog)
Basic Crochet Mittens Pattern
RIGHT MITTEN
Cuff:
With the smaller hook and cream coloured yarn ch 13, leaving a long tail for sewing up seam later.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across; turn – 12 sts.
Row 2: Ch 1, working in back loops only, sc in each st across; turn.
Repeat row 2 until the piece measures, when slightly stretched, around your wrist comfortably you will close it off later. (Approximately 25 rows)
Change to larger hook.
Ch 1, turn to long side edge of cuff.
Next row: Work 27 sts evenly spaced along edge of cuff. Place a st marker in first st to mark the beginning of round.
Work 5 rows more in sc around the cuff joining the two sides to form a round,
Expanding to allow for Thumb later:
Round 1: Sc 15, 2 sc in next st, sc, 2 sc in next st, sc 9 – 29 sts.
Round 2: Sc 15, 2 sc in next st, sc 3, 2 sc in next st, sc 9 – 31 sts.
Round 3: Sc 15, 2 sc in next st, sc 5, 2 sc in next st, sc 9 – 33 sts.
Round 4: Sc 15, 2 sc in next st, sc 7, 2 sc in next st, sc 9 – 35 sts.
Round 5: Sc 15, 2 sc in next st, sc 9, 2 sc in next st, sc 9 – 37 sts.
Hand:
Round 1: Sc in first 16 sts, ch 1, skip next 11 sts for thumb hole, Change yarn colour for light yellow here, sc in last 10 sts – 27 sts.
Rounds 2-15: 27 sc evenly around. – (if you have longer or shorter hands make adjustments here)
Top of Mitten shape:
Round 1: Sc 5, sc2tog, sc, sc2tog sc 9, sc2tog, sc, sc2tog, sc 3 – 23 sts.
Round 2: 23 sc evenly around.
Round 3: Sc 4, sc2tog, sc, sc2tog, sc 7, sc2tog, sc, sc2tog, sc 2 – 19 sts.
Round 4: 19 sc evenly around.
Round 5: Sc 4, sc2tog, sc, sc2tog, sc 5, sc2tog, sc, sc2tog – 15 sts.
Round 6: Sc 2, sc2tog, sc2tog, sc 3, sc2tog, sc2tog – 9 sts.
Round 7: sc2tog, sc, sc2tog, sc, sc2tog, sc, sc2tog – 7
Round 8: join hole with sl st to close.
Fasten off
Thumb:
Join yarn in ch-1 space from hand.
Round 1: Ch 1, sc st in ch-1 space and each skipped stitch around thumb opening – 12 sts. Place marker in first st to mark the beginning of round.
Rounds 2-10: Sc evenly around.
Round 11: (Sc2tog) six times – 6 sts.
Fasten off. Draw yarn through remaining 6 sts and pull tight to close.
Finishing: Weave in ends. Sew seam in ribbing.
LEFT MITTEN
Work cuff as for right mitten.
Expanding to allow for Thumb later:
Round 1: Sc 9, 2 sc in next st, sc, 2 sc in next st, sc 15 – 29 sts.
Round 2: Sc 9, 2 sc in next st, sc 3, 2 sc in next st, sc 15 – 31 sts.
Round 3: Sc 9, 2 sc in next st, sc 5, 2 sc in next st, sc 15 – 33 sts.
Round 4: Sc 9, 2 sc in next st, sc 7, 2 sc in next st, sc 15 – 35 sts.
Round 5: Sc 9, 2 sc in next st, sc 9, 2 sc in next st, sc 15 – 37 sts.
Hand:
Round 1: Sc in first 10 sts, ch 1, skip next 11 sts, Change yarn colour for light yellow here, sc in last 16 sts – 27 sts.
Rounds 2-15: Sc evenly around.
Work the top of the mitten and thumb exactly the same as the right mitten.
Finishing: Weave in ends. Sew seam in ribbing.
Eye Positioning: With a small amount of black yarn and a yarn needle, add an eye just above the thumb on each hand. Just after the colour change.
You’ve finished another adorable GUA Duck-inspired project.
If you haven’t seen our other mindfulness Duck projects check out the Award Your Work Koozie or the Sustainable Award Your Work Duck
If you liked this project share your crocheted creations with us on Instagram or Tiktok and don’t forget to submit your academic work to the GUA before the deadline! #AwardYourWork
