Super Soft Merino Hand Warmers
I have peeked in the beautifully decorated shop windows and read what-feels-like hundreds of gift lists on the blogs, but no matter how short I am for time, I always do my darnedest to make a handmade gift first. As the clock ticks down though, stock in speedy projects definitely starts to rise!
These Hand Warmers were born out of a sobering look at the calendar. They truly knit up in a jiff. You can easily have several pairs finished before getting yourself in and out of the crowds and check out lines.
Recognize the yarn? Yes, it's Purl Soho's very own, very new, very exciting Super Soft Merino! Our beautifully lofty, luxuriously soft yarn comes in a palette of vibrant, charismatic colors, including this incredible Clementine Orange. As soon as I finish typing this, I am off to the races to make even more Super Soft Merino Hand Warmers in a whole rainbow of colors!
May your holiday season be filled with super soft, swift knits!
The Materials
- 1 skein of Purl Soho's Super Soft Merino in the color Clementine Orange.
- 1 set of US #10.5 double pointed needles
- Stitch holder or scrap yarn
The Pattern
Gauge
5 stitches = 1 inch in 1 x 1 rib un-stretched
Finished Size
9 inches from cast on edge to bind off edge
6-inch circumference, un-stretched, to fit most women
Pattern Note
Beware: I used every last inch of this skein of yarn, so cast on leaving a conservative tail and be sure you are on gauge and not knitting any tighter, because you may run out of yarn if so.
Begin
Cast 28 stitches onto three double pointed needles.
Join for working in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches.
Round 1: *K1, p1, repeat from * to end of round.
Repeat Round 1 until piece measures 5 inches from the cast on edge.
Increase for Thumb Gusset
Increase Round: [K1, p1] 7 times, place marker, m1R, k1, m1L, place marker, work in rib pattern to end of round. (30 stitches)
Next Round: Work in rib pattern to first marker, knit to next marker, work in rib pattern to end of round.
Increase Round: Work in rib pattern to first marker, slip marker, m1R, knit to next marker, m1L, slip marker, work in rib pattern to end of round. (2 stitches increased)
Repeat last 2 rounds two more times. (36 stitches)
Work Top of Hand Warmer
Next Round: Work in rib pattern to first marker, remove marker, k9, put previous 9 stitches on a holder or scrap yarn, remove next marker, work in rib pattern to end of round. (27 stitches)
Next Round: [K1, p1] 7 times, purl 1 front and back to bridge the thumb hole gap , work in rib pattern to end of round. (28 stitches)
Work five rounds in rib pattern.
Bind off loosely.
Finish the Thumb
Distribute the 9 stitches from your stitch holder or scrap yarn onto three double pointed needles.
Next Round: Join yarn and knit all nine stitches, pick up one stitch from the base of the thumb. (10 stitches)
Knit two rounds.
Bind off loosely.
Make One More
Weave in ends and make another for a pair.
December 16, 2012
Reader Comments (5)
I know I could make them shorter the next time, but if I went down a needle size do you think that would solve it?
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with the pattern. I think I will make a note above so other people don't run into the same problem. I am so sorry you had to order a second skein. I do hope you like how they turned out. Going down a needle size would actually use up more yarn, going up a needle size might have saved you, but that's a tough call to make over the inter-web.
Thanks again for checking in with us on this.
Laura
It might work, you just have to knit a swatch to see what your gauge is. In general, needle sizes are just suggestions because everyone knits differently. The most important thing is to get the correct gauge using whatever needle size works for you!
Thank you for your question!
Molly