These hand warmers are a breeze to make, quick and easy, although the pleasure of knitting them may make you wish they would never end. Using the Sheep Number Three is like knitting a cloud. It feels bottomless and so cuddly. An unusual and wonderful experience!
One skein will go on and on, so spread the love and make a bunch! Enjoy! --Whitney
4 1/2 stitches = 1 inch in lace pattern
6 1/2 stitches = 1 inch in stockinette stitch
Fit most women's hands
Cast on 30 stitches to 3 double pointed needles (10 stitches on each needle). Join for working in the round, being careful to not twist the stitches.
Note: This lace pattern is very easy to follow, but is even easier if, for Round 2, you start every needle with a yarn over and, for Round 4, you end every needle with a yarn over.
Round 1: Knit
Round 2: *Yo, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 3: Knit
Round 4: *Ssk, yo, repeat from * to end of round.
Repeat Rounds 1-4 two more times.
Repeat Rounds 1-3 one time.
Next round: *Ssk, yo, repeat from * to last 2 stitches, k2.
This section will be worked back and forth, not in the round. To do that, turn the work so that the inside of the hand warmer is facing you, so that the first stitch you're about to knit is the one you just knit.
Row 1: K2, p to last 2 stitches, k2.
Row 2: K2, *yo, k2tog, repeat from * to last 2 stitches, k2.
Row 3: Repeat Row 1.
Row 4: K2, *ssk, yo, repeat from * to last 2 stitches, k2.
Repeat Rows 1- 4 two more times.
After Row 4, do not turn the work, instead join for working in the round again.
Round 1: Knit
Round 2: *Yo, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 3: Knit
Round 4: *Ssk, yo, repeat from * to end of round.
Repeat Rounds 1-4 three more times.
Knit 4 rounds.
For the right hand warmer, finish 7 stitches before the end of the last round. For the left hand warmer, finish the fourth round, then knit 7 more stitches.
Turn the work for knitting back and forth again.
Row 1: Purl into the back loop (pbl), p to last stitch, pbl.
Row 2: K1, k2tog, k3, [make 1 right (m1R), k6] 2 times, make 1 left (m1L), k6, m1L, k3, ssk, k1. (32 stitches)
To m1R, pick up the bar between the last stitch you knit and the one you're about to knit, bringing the needle from the back to the front.
Then knit into the front of this stitch.
To m1L, pick up the bar between the stitch you knit and the one you're about to knit, bringing the needle from front to back.
Then knit into the back of the stitch.
Row 3: Purl.
Row 4: K1, k2tog, k2, m1R, k7, m1R, k8, m1L, k7, m1L, k2, ssk, k1. (34 stitches)
Row 5: Purl.
Row 6: K1, K2tog, k1, m1R, k8, m1R, k10, m1L, k8, m1L, k1, ssk, k1. (36 stitches)
Row 7: Purl.
Row 8: K1, k2tog, k to last 3 stitches, ssk, k1. (34 stitches)
Row 9: Knit
Row 10: Repeat Row 8. (32 stitches)
Row 11: Knit
Row 12: Bind off, leaving the last stitch on the needle.
Pick up 12 stitches down the right side of the cuff. (13 stitches on the needle: 12 picked up + 1 from the bind off)
Pick up 1 stitch between the 2 sides of the cuff.
And pick up 13 more stitches up the side of the cuff. (27 stitches)
Next row: K12, slip 1, k2tog, pass the slipped stitch over, k12. (25 stitches)
Bind off and sew in the ends. Done!
March 22, 2008