Whit's Knits: Ribbed Hand Warmers
If you're a careful reader of the Purl Bee, you may have noticed by now what a big fan I am of hand warmers. I love how practical they are (no holding dirty mittens between your teeth while you fish around for keys); I love how fast they are to make (you just can't say that about too many knitted things!); I love how flattering they are on everybody's hands; and, for all these reasons, I love how perfectly suitable they are as gifts (I'm remembering recent recipients: friend Claudia has a pair, so do aunt Bretta, cousin Katie, and sister-in-law Jen.).
Ever since Joelle made the Log Cabin Baby Blanket for her new niece out of Anzula's Squishy, I have been really anxious to give it a try. Joelle is a tough customer when it comes to yarn, so her rave reviews of this one set my expectations high. I was not disappointed! This is a seriously pleasurable yarn to knit with, maybe because of the 10% cashmere, or the lofty spin, or the super high quality merino, or the generous 385 yards per skein, or because of all those things plus some magical ingredient. Add to its luxurious feel the beautifully hand dyed palette of sophisticatedly quirky colors, and I've got a new favorite yarn!
The Materials
- 1 skein of Anzula's Squishy, 80% Superwash Merino, 10% Cashmere, 10% Nylon. This color is "Plum". One skein is enough for at least 2 pairs of hand warmers.
- A set of US #3 double pointed needles.
The Pattern
Gauge
16 stitches = 1 inch in 3 x 2 rib, unstretched
7 stitches = 1 inch in 3 x 2 rib, comfortably stretched
Finished Size
11 inches long and stretch up to 9 inches around to fit most women's hands.
Wrist
Cast 50 stitches onto double pointed needles.
Join for working in the round, being careful to not twist the stitches and placing a stitch marker if you want to.
Round 1: *K3, p2, repeat from * to end of round.
Repeat Round 1 until the piece measures 8 inches from the cast on edge.
Thumb Hole
NOTE: For the thumb hole, you will work back and forth in rows, turning the work between each row, as you would a flat piece of knitting. Work the stitches on the double pointed needles just as they are, moving from one needle to the next.
Row 1: [K3, p2] four times, k4, turn so the inside of the hand warmer is facing you. (You work only 24 stitches for Row 1.)
Row 2 (wrong side): K1, *p3, k2, repeat from * to last 4 stitches, p3, k1, turn so the outside of the hand warmer is facing you. (Row 2 and all following rows work all 50 stitches.)
Row 3 (right side): K4, *p2, k3, repeat to last stitch, k1, turn.
Repeat Rows 2 and 3 until the thumb hole measures 1 1/2 inches, ending with Row 3. If you were using a stitch marker, you can remove it on the last row.
Hand
NOTE: For the hand section you will work in the round again with the outside of the hand warmer facing you. You will begin with a joining round that connects the two sides of the thumb hole. For the joining round, just continue to work from the end of Row 3 with the outside facing you. (See the picture below.)
Joining Round: Place a stitch marker, p1, *k3, p2, repeat from to last 4 stitches, k3, p1.
Next Round: P1, *k3, p2, repeat from to last 4 stitches, k3, p1.
Repeat the last round until the piece measures 2 inches from the top of the thumb hole.
Bind off in the 3 x 2 rib pattern.
Weave in the ends, make a second identical hand warmer, and you're ready to go!
October 24, 2010
Reader Comments (24)
Love this site, btw! Been following the RSS feeds for a few years now
It really depends on you of course, and how many hours you spend working on them at a time,, but if you haven't knit anything like these before (small gauge, dpn's etc) definitely plan on days of knitting if you're knitting a few hours a day. We estimate that the pair takes anywhere from 6-10 hours to complete. Hope this helps!
You should be working all of the stitches for 1 1/2 inches for the thumb hole, the only difference is that you'll be working back and forth, instead of in the round, in order to create the hole.
Hope this helps!
So it sounds like I should do the k3, p2 ribbing until the last 4 stitches and those last 4 stitches would be two knit stitches, one purl, and then one knit stitch. Am I on the right track?
Sorry to be so think headed!! Cynthia
Actually your first interpretation is the correct one. The thumb hole is half way around the hand warmer, so you should work just 24 stitches and then turn. Beginning with Row 2, you will work all 50 stitches.
I'm sorry if this is confusing, and I hope this straightens it out for you!
Thanks-
Whitney
i know that some patterns specify how many stitches to divide between the 3 needles, and this one didn't.
i did 15, 15 and 20. is this correct? if not, what do you suggest?
thanks!
That should work just fine!
Good luck and let us know if you have any further questions.
Yes of course you can! You can use the magic loop method for anything in the round.
Enjoy!
Thanks!
Obviously, they'll be a (last minute!!) gift but they are so quick, easy and best of all gorgeous that I think may even be able to make a few more pairs before the 25th!!!
I love the purl bee and am ever so thankful for your generosity in sharing so many great ideas and (free?! What! Holla!) patterns. Sincerely, y'all are fantastic and appreciated very much by me!!
Oh eta- I subbed a sport weight peruvian wool I had in my stash due to time constraints but can't wait to try the squishy!!
Thanks and hope everyone has stellar holidays!!
I just want to thank Cynthia for asking about the same dilemma I had, starting the thumb hole. Here I am on Christmas Day, wanting to continue with these nice handwarmers during my vacation but I had a hard time figuring out Row 2 (I'm still a novice knitter). Fortanately, I checked this blog and found the help I needed!!
Thank you for the guidance from Purl Soho too! Your website is THE BEST and I am looking forward to visiting your new store again too!
Cynthia, another one.
Where can I find a tutorial on your method?
PS - I'm pretty new to this kitting stuff, in case you haven't guessed!
I casted on and worked up in pattern. When it came to the thumb, I just started working the 2 circs back and forth (as opposed to in the round), leaving one side 'open' for the thumb hole. I do remember having to move one stitch over to the other circular before working back and forth to make the pattern line up. I also had to work extra rows in order for my thumb to fit through!
Once the thumb hole was long enough, I simply re-joined the round and continued as I had before the thumb hole.
So, to recap (because I'm not the best at explaining)-
Divide stitches on 2 circulars, join the round.
Work in pattern via rounds until thumbhole.
Work 1st needle to end, slip/transfer one unworked stitch over to 2nd needle (if you need the extra stitch there for the garter edge)
Now turn the 1st needle around so you will be working a ws, knit across 1st and 2nd circular in pattern,
Turn, work 2nd and 1st needle in pattern,
Continue until thumbhole length is complete, ending with a rs row
Then simply re-join by continuing to work in the round.
Hope that helps! And again, sorry for the lateness in replying!
This pattern is excellent and all 3 recipients thought it was the best gift ever!!
I used a tweed type of yarn, edging the top and bottom with coordinating color..really cute, but I want to make my next pair with the "Squishy" yarn...will get some next trip to the Purlsoho in a couple of weeks!
Cynthia