A fitted covering for the hand, made of leather, cotton, wool or any other fabric, with a separate half length sheath for each finger and thumb. Gloves (See G)..
In the 18th century mitts were elbow-length, fingerless gloves. Although there was a thumb, it was open and the fingers were left free. They were usually cut with peaked flaps over the knuckles. Embroidered floral motifs and fancy arm openings were popular adornments. Heavy mitts gave warmth in winter and light weight ones protected the arms from the sun in summer. In the winter the hands could be kept warm with a muff.
A warm covering for the hands that consists of a compartment for the thumb and another for the remaining four fingers. Dating back to the fourteenth century, this wintertime classic is often knit in chunky stitches with colorful patterns and always speaks to a youthful spirit.