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, the lofty spin, 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 sophisticated, quirky colors, and I’ve got a new favorite yarn!
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Whitney Van Nes.
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, and #PurlSohoRibbedFandWarmers. We can’t wait to see what you make!
The Materials
- 1 skein of Anzula’s Squishy, 80% Superwash Merino, 10% Cashmere, 10% Nylon. Each skein is 385 yards/ 100 grams; approximately 190 yards required. We used the color Plum. (NOTE: One skein is enough for at least 2 pairs of hand warmers.)
- A set of US 3 (3.25 mm) double-pointed needles
GAUGE
16 stitches = 1 inch in 3×2 rib, unstretched
5½ stitches = 1 inch in 3×2 rib, comfortably stretched
SIZE
11 inches long, stretching up to 9 inches around to fit most women’s hands
The Pattern
Wrist
Cast 50 stitches onto double-pointed needles. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
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!
Hey, the only yarn I have in this size is cotton. Do you think it is okay to use cotton yarn?
Hi Carolynn,
Sure! Cotton doesn't tend to hold its shape as well as merino, but I think these hand warmers will be just fine in cotton.
Thanks for asking and please let us know if you have any more questions!
Whitney
Can I do this with circular needles instead of double points?
Hi Dianapb,
Instead of double pointed needles you could use Skacel's Addi Turbo 8-inch circular needles, which you can find right here: https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/8-Skacel-Addi-Turbo-Circular-Needles .
You will probably encounter some difficulty at the thumb hole with the 8-inch circulars, but if you have another circular needle that is the same size and any length, you can get away with the two circulars as if they were a pair of straight needles. This may sound awfully confusing in the abstract, but once you're actually doing it, it's a bit more obvious.
Thanks for asking and good luck!
Whitney
I'm curious about making these with Anzula Cloud yarn, but I can't really figure out the differences between the two yarns. I'm looking for a handwarmer that will lay flat (as in not "bunchy") and be somewhat inobtrusive 🙂
Would you recommend making these with Cloud, and, if so, will I need to adjust the # of stitches?
Thank you for yet another wonderful pattern 🙂
Hi – I like these – and may try to make them with left over fingering yarn. I have more DK weight yarn, though, and I wondered about using that weight and casting on 40, instead of 50, with size 6 needles. Does that sound like it would work?
Thank you!
Hi Laura,
Anzula's Cloud is thinner than their Squishy. If you're excited to use the Cloud, I'd recommend our Colorblock Hand Warmers, which in both versions uses a yarn similar in weight to the Cloud: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/the-purl-bee/2011/10/9/whits-knits-colorblock-hand-warmers.html
And just to let you know, although thicker than the Cloud, the Squishy is quite a thin yarn, so these hand warmers are definitely not bulky or "obtrusive".
Thanks for your question and please let us know if you have any more!
Whitney
Do you think using Purl Soho Line Weight for this would be too thin? I'm trying to find a nice yarn that's a bit cheaper than the Anzula. Thanks!
Hi Elizabeth G,
It's tough for me to say, because everyone knits at a different gauge. If you want to be sure, you should knit up a gauge swatch. But, I do think you have a good guess!
Thanks for asking and please let us know if you have any other questions!
Whitney
HI Katie,
Yes, I do think our Line Weight would be a little thin (although perfect for our Colorblock Hand Warmers: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/the-purl-bee/2011/10/9/whits-knits-colorblock-hand-warmers.html ).
For a less expensive alternative for this pattern, check out Brooklyn Tweed's Loft: https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/8430-Brooklyn-Tweed-Loft .
Thanks for asking and please let us know if you have more questions!
Whitney
Beautiful, simple, and *LOVE* the way the thumb openings are created! It looks so much cleaner than the traditional, "put x stitches on a holder and recast them on the next round," method. Thank you so much for sharing this!
Here is my question. The instructions with Squishy say 16 stitches per inch. But the Brooklyn yarn you suggest above says 6-8 per inch. This is only my second knitting project so I just want to make sure I am getting the right size yarn. How can these both work? Thanks!!!
Hi, I'm trying to adapt this pattern for a guy's pair and i'm using a yarn that has about 10 wpi. How many stiches should i cast on?
Hi Michele-
The 16 stithces per inch gauge listed in this pattern is done in the 3X2 ribbing pattern. The 6-8 stitches per inch gauge that you are referencing is in stockinette stitch.
The gauge listed on the back of a yarn label is usually in stockinette stitch. But when do do a ribbed stitch you will usually get many more stitches per inch because ribbing cinches the fabric together.
I hope this makes sense. If it doesn't you might want to try knitting a couple of swatches, one in stockinette stitch and one in the 3 X 2 ribbing to see the difference.
Thank you for your question and please let us know if you need any more help!
Molly
Hi Nanao,
You'll first need to figure out your gauge in the 3 x 2 rib pattern. Once you know your gauge, you can multiply it by the circumference of the hand warmer you'd like to make and cast on the nearest number of stitches that is a multiple of five.
I hope this helps get you started and please let us know if you have any other questions!
Whitney
Could I use anzula sebastion? Its gauge is 8 instead of 7.5.
Hi Rachel,
Yes! Sebastian and Squishy are very close in gauge, but I would recommend doing a gauge swatch with the Sebastian (or whatever yarn you use!) to make sure that the needle you’re using gets you to the correct gauge, as given in the pattern.
Thanks so much for asking and please let us know if you have any other questions!
Whitney
I have a question regarding the apparent color difference between Sebastion and Squshy:
It seems to me that nearly all of the colors in Sebastion are a tad darker and cooler than the same color in Squishy. Do the yarns actually look different or is it a trick of the lighting due to the lustrus nature of Sabastion?
Hi Rachel,
You’re right! That’s because different fibers absorb dye differently. In this case, the sea cell, which is the Sebastian, is especially responding to the dye in its own way!
Thanks for asking! Please let us know if you have any other questions, and/or if you’d ever like to talk to someone who has eyes on the actual yarn, please feel free to call our store at (212) 420-8796.
Whitney
Hello. I have 14″ around my arms at 8″ from the base of my thumbs. I am thinking I need to cast on 100 stitches. Is this correct? Also, can you explain the sort row before you start the thumb holes? Thank you!!
Hi Becky,
Your question illuminated for me an error in the gauge I gave for the stretched rib! I’ve corrected the gauge, changing it from 7 to 5 1/2 stitches to the inch. So, considering this new gauge, I would cast on 80 stitches to get a stretched 14-inch circumference.
For the thumb hole, Row 1 would be…
Row 1: [K3, p2] seven times, k4, turn so the inside of the hand warmer is facing you. (You work only 39 stitches for Row 1.)
I’m so sorry for the mistake (which has taken quite a few years for someone to unearth!) and I hope this sets you on the right path. Please let us know if you have any more questions and I am very grateful for this one!
Whitney
I have pretty small hands and I also like my hand warmers to be snug. How many stitches should I cast on?
Hi Kelly-
These fit snug so I think you might be OK making them as is. But if you do want to make them smaller check out the gauge section and then measure your hand to determine how many stitches you want to cast on and then make sure to cast on a multiple of 5. You could also just cast on 5 less for a slightly smaller handwarmer but please be advised that you’ll have to adjust the thumbhole section accordingly.
Thanks for your question!
Molly
Hi- has anyone done this with the magic loop method? I’d like to try that as the double points are proving to be really fiddly and tedious for me. My hesitation is the thumb area… am I going to have issues working back and forth as it calls for with the magic loop? Thanks for any guidance!
Hi Vaydre!
You can do it! When you get to the back and forth section, you can pull all of the stitches together on the cord, so that you make the ‘magic loop’ disappear, and work back and forth normally. Then, when you go back into the round, you can re-create the magic loop at the half way point of your stitches, and continue on!
Happy Knitting!
Thomas
Beautiful color…
“K1, *p3, k2, repeat from * to last 4 stitches, p3, k1”, when making the thumbhole–doesn’t add up to the 24 stitches to be worked, for row 1. correction?
Hi Jam,
You will only work 24 stitches for Row 1, but Row 2, which is what you list above (“K1, *p3, k2, repeat from * to last 4 stitches, p3, k1,”) is worked on all 50 stitches. I’m hoping this helps clarify and please don’t hesitate to write with any further questions!
Kristy
I love these hand warmers, and I’m just about to get to the thumb hole – however, I simply cannot figure out how you’re making this. When you say, “leave the needles as they are”, do you mean not to use the fifth needle of your DPNS, and just knit as the yarn sits on the 4 existing needles?
Having a hard time wrapping my brain around it. If you have any tips or especially videos, that’d be great – thank you!
Hello Emily!
This pattern starts with circular knitting for the wrist, then switches to 2D or straight knitting to create the thumb hole, and then transitions again to round knitting for the top of the hand portion. The instructions that ask you to leave the stitches as they are just mean that you won’t be shifting stitches or changing needles, that you will be working with them as you have already set up. If you are using 4 needles to hold your stitches, you will still need the 5th to knit with.
I hope this helps, please write in again if you have any other moments of confusion! Thanks! -Alyson
Hello,
I cast on 45 stitches. Do I knit 22 or 23 stitches in Row 1 for the thumb hole?
Thank you so much for your help, Elsje
Hi, Elsje!
Thank you for writing in! Your questions mean a great deal to us – we are so sorry for the delay in responding to your comment! This is a great question. For a cast on of 45 stitches, I would round up and knit 23 stitches in Row 1.
Again, thank you so much for your question. We really do appreciate your patience!
Best,
Kumeko
Hi, Elsje!
Thank you for writing in! Your questions mean a great deal to us – we are so sorry for the delay in responding to your comment! This is a great question. For a cast on of 45 stitches, I would round up and knit 23 stitches in Row 1.
Again, thank you so much for your question. We really do appreciate your patience!
Best,
Kumeko
In the meantime I knitted 22 stitches in Row 1 for the thumb hole, as that will be on top. So I do it the reverse way for the other handwarmer.
Kind regards, Elsje
Hello, Elsje!
Thank you for writing in! You’ll knit the second handwarmer the exact same way that you’re knitting the first.
Let us know if you have further questions!
Best,
Kumeko
If I cast on 35 because I used a larger yarn, how do I do the thumb?
Hi Gayle,
Thank you for writing in to us! No matter if you are using larger yarn or not, the thumb is knit exactly the same as in the sample. Since there is no distinct left or right hand, you can [K3, p2] four times, k4 just like the sample. When you turn your work, you’ll be working flat until you feel as though your thumb knuckle could fit through. Let me know if you have any other questions!
Best of luck and happy knitting!
-Adam
I’d like to make a set – a luxurious hat using the Simple Pleasures pattern (without the laceweight mohair) and these gloves using the Jade Sapphire yarns in the color Robe Royale. What specific yarn would you recommend for each? still the 2-ply or could I go up to the 6-ply?
I’m happy to get two different yarns as long as they’re in the same Robe Royale color!
Hi Gayle,
Thanks for writing in! Great idea! For these lovely hand warmers, you would want to use 2 Ply Cashmere held doubled. For the Simple Pleasures hat, I would suggest using 6 Ply Cashmere. They will certainly make a lovely set!
Best,
Cassy
I started the ribbed handwarmers a few years back, layed them to the side. Picked them up after the holidays ,ready to start the thumb hole. I have my stitches divided 20, 15 & 15. Do I move 4 stitches to the 20 ? I can’t seems to wrap my head around the instruction. I hope you can clear up my confusion.
Hello Susie,
Thank you for writing us! To make the thumb hole you are simply creating a slit in your hand warmer. Essentially you are knitting flat for 1 1/2 inches and then joining in the round again to create a hole. You will work the stitches on the double pointed needles just as they are, moving from one needle to the next. You begin at the beginning of your round. For your first row will just knit 24 stitches and then turn your work to begin row 2. Rows 2 and 3 are the rows that you will be repeating and they both include all of your stitches.
I hope this clears things up for you and let us know if you have any further questions!
Happy knitting,
Marilla
Is there a yarn sturdier than Anzula Squishy that approximates its rich heathers? Would Flax Down or Zara Melange work?
Also, I wondered how to continue the rib in adding half thumbs.
Thank you.
Hello Judy,
Thank you for reaching out! This pattern is knit up with a fingering weight yarn so Flax Down and Zara Melange will both be to thick for this pattern. For the thumbhole portion of this pattern you will be working back and forth in rows rather than knitting in the round. You will be repeating two rows in order to maintain the rib pattern.
I hope this helps and let us know if you have any further questions!
Happy knitting,
Marilla
I tried to buy the Anzula Squishy for this project but it’s no longer in stock. Can you suggest a substitute, please? I’d like to attempt this project. Thank you.
Hi Cristina,
Great question! I would recommend using our Posy yarn for these hand warmers. It is a wonderful substitute for Anzula Squishy!
Best,
Julianna
My husband is diabetic. His hands get very cold as well as his feet. He has Diabetic Neuropathy . He has asked me to knit him some hand warmers.
Since these are designed for a woman, could the pattern be changed to a yarn and needle size which would fit a man?
Kindest regards,
Eileen
Hi Eileen,
Thanks for writing in! This pattern works with any multiple of 5 stitches, so you can easily increase the cast on to make larger hand warmers. Our hand warmers fit up to a 9 inch circumference hand, so I would suggest measuring around your husbands knuckles and adding 5 stitches to the cast on for each additional inch you need.
I hope that helps, and happy knitting!
Julianna
Hello! This is my first time producing a thumb hole. Why is the first row only halfway? When I start flipping back and forth wouldn’t this section be 2 rows taller than the rest?
Hi Marco,
Thanks for reaching out! For the first row you will be knitting only across 24 of the 50 stitches to establish where the thumb hole will open, but after the 1st row you will continue to work over all 50 stitches! Having one extra row will not have an effect on the overall height of the hand warmers!
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna