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, and 10% Nylon. Each skein of this fingering-weight yarn 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
Shop our wonderful collection of fingering-weight yarn to find a suitable substitute for this project, and remember that it’s always a good idea to check your gauge before you cast on… Our All About Gauge Tutorial shows you how!
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!
Looking for more inspiration? Explore all of our free knitting patterns and knitting tutorials, buy one of our many knitting kits and yarn bundles, and shop for beautiful yarn. We have over 35 gorgeous natural fiber yarns in 100’s of magnificent colors, designed to bring integrity, beauty, and joy to your next knitting project and only available at Purl Soho!
Wow! I've been scouting around for just this pattern. Here in Quebec you just have to have something on your hands for driving in cold weather. Full gloves and mittens slide on the steering wheel and mittens that flop back to reveal fingers make me feel like a hand puppeteer. So bless you and thanx a big bunch!
I'm pretty new to knitting, but I may have to try these soon – they look pretty easy…and cozy. Thanks!
These are gorgeous! If I didn't want to use squishy, can you recommend a comparable yarn?
It's been a busy fall wtih little time for knitting (sigh) but this pattern and this yarn has me putting a little “me time” for knitting back on the calendar! Thank you for this great pattern, and thank you Purl Soho for the constant inspiration in your emails and blog!
I love these! I'm working on a similar pair right now. You can speed up the process a little by just knitting straight across (no knitting in the round, just use straight needles) and then later sewing a side seam to form the fingerless glove. Just leave a hole in your seam for your thumb!
I'm a beginning knitter and would like to know if you could give me a really rough estimate for how long these might take to make. I just have no idea if it would be hours or days or months. I know it depends on the person so maybe you could just tell me how long it took you to produce and I can scale it up for me. Trying to figure out if I'd have enough time to make them for my sweet mom's birthday 🙂
Love this site, btw! Been following the RSS feeds for a few years now
Hi Crumblecake,
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!
Hi. I love these hand warmers and cast on for them immediately but I have a problem. I'm ready to work the thumb hole and am confused. Am I knitting only 24 stitches for 1 1/2 inches? For the life of me I can't figure this out!! Thanks for your help, Cynthai
Hi Cynthia,
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!
Yes, this does help. I think my confusion stems from this: in the section regarding the thumb hole the insturctions say “Row 1: [K3, p2] four times, k4, turn so the inside of the hand warmer is facing you”. As I read it that means to knit and purl 3×2 = 5 for four times = 20, then k4.
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
Hi 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
hello,
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!
Hi Whatevermariver,
That should work just fine!
Good luck and let us know if you have any further questions.
Could I knit these using the magic loop method? I'm a fairly new knitter and haven't invested in DPN's – and they scare me a bit. But I've had some success with magic loop for small projects, like a baby hat and beer cozy. Suggestions?
Hi Melanie,
Yes of course you can! You can use the magic loop method for anything in the round.
Enjoy!
I'm ready to work on the thumbhole and I completed the first row of 24 stitches, ready to begin row 2 and I just want to be sure about this…once I turn the work around do I then get out a fresh needle and work with an extra needle for this part? (Rather than knitting row 2 with the adjacent needle that already has some stitches on it. I've been working with 4 needles so now I think I should switch to 5…?) I feel like this is a dumb question but since this is my very first knitting project I would rather ask and be sure than do it wrong and ruin it 🙂
Thanks!
Oh…nevermind. I think I've got it. 🙂 thanks anyway. Good learning experience.
I just finished my 1st one, on to the 2nd!! I used 2 circulars to speed it up which works fantastic. I think it took about 4 and a half hours to complete one.
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!!
Hello,
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.
@Helen – When using the two circulars, was the second circular used for the thumb? I happen to have two 8″ circulars and I just hate working with double poiinted needles……
Where can I find a tutorial on your method?
PS – I'm pretty new to this kitting stuff, in case you haven't guessed!
Hi Val! Sorry I'm just reading this now.
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 finished the handwarmers last night..wearing them now. They are so nice and love the way they fit. We keep a cool house, so how nice it is to wear these when my hands get chilly!
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
Where is Squish yarn made? If it is China, count me out.
LOVE these! I have renewed hope of a handmade Christmas for a few very deserving friends. Thanks you!
Can this be done with circular knitting needles? Thank you
Hi Sarah A.,
Yes, you could use an 8-inch circular needle, but when you get to the thumb hole, you'll need to use at least two needles to knit that section back and forth. It is such a tight turn that trying to use one circular needle will be frustrating, maybe not even possible. Instead, use two short circular needles (treating them like they're straight needles) or three double pointed needles.
If this sounds confusing, it's not really. Once you get to the thumb hole, you'll understand better!
Thanks for your question! Please let me know if you need any more help!
Whitney
i would like to knit these on straight needles. dp are a bit scary.what size needle should i use and how many stitches will i cast on?
love your site.
diane
Hi Diane,
You would use the same size needles (US #3 or whatever size gives you the pattern's gauge) and cast on the same number of stitches. Then just knit a ribbed rectangle and sew the sides together, leaving a space for your thumb. Easy!
Thanks for your question and good luck!
Whitney
This is a great pattern for a beginning knitter. I used 9 inch circulars (for the first time; I wanted to try them out), and it worked really well. I did not have to use an additional needle for the thumb part. I found the pattern to be very easy to follow. The pictures helped too. I'm sure that I will get many compliments when I wear my new gloves. Thanks!
how many meters is your skein of yarn? i plan to make a pair..It looks so nice and cozy~
thank you
Hi, I love love this pattern and am planning on using it for my first project using the double pointed needles this weekend. I have small hands and arms, and am worried that this pattern will be too loose. To make it work, I think I need to make it smaller by about 1/2″ or so… My question is, how many stitches should be cast on to do this and still make it simple around the thumb hole? Thank you!
Hi Holliday,
I'm afraid I missed your weekend plans, but in case you haven't started yet… You can cast on any multiple of 5 stitches, so in your case, 45 would be a good bet!
Thanks for your question!
Whitney
Hello. I'm having trouble understanding this porition of the pattern: “Row 1: [K3, p2] four times, k4, turn so the inside of the hand warmer is facing you”.
Does this mean to literally turn the hand warmer inside out or to turn it to the far side in your hands?
Is the turning to the inside actually working the remaining 26 stitches in Row 1 or turning back on the 24 stittches just knitted and going back the same direction we just came from?
I'm sorry to be so dense about this. I would appreciate any help in understanding that you could offer.
Thanks Whitney,
I didn't have time to sit down over the weekend to start, but now that I have I am running into problems after the first row! Ak! How do you turn it inside out and what needle does the last stitch (after the k4) go on to?
Thanks for the help!
Hi Holliday,
You don't turn your hand warmer inside OUT, you turn it so the inside is facing you. In other words, flip the whole work around so the needle with the working yarn is in your left hand.
If you have an extra stitch left on your needle after the k4, just slip it over to the adjacent needle. It's actually the last stitch of the next row.
I hope this helps. Let me know if you run into any more problems!
Whitney
Hi Amber,
No, you don't turn the hand warmer inside out; you turn the whole work around so the needle with the working yarn is now in your left hand and the inside of the hand warmer is facing you. And yes, you will now be working the same 24 stitches you just worked.
Thanks for asking your not-dense-at-all question and good luck!
Whitney
Does one skein of Squishy make one pair or two? The directions say two, but the description of Squishy says one.
Hi Justitchy-
It's enough to make 2 pairs. Sorry for the confusing description on the yarn page!
Molly
I don't know what I did wrong. When I got to the thumb hole, I followed the pattern and it did not line up with my previous purls and knits. In which case, my knit piece looks slopping and there is a major shift? How do you explain this? What did I do wrong? This seems to be what the instructions say to do. Should I undo all of these stitches?
HI Nicole,
The stitch pattern should continue seamlessly as you work the thumb hole. I'm not sure why yours has shifted. Did you work just 24 stitches for Row 1, then turn the work so the inside of the hand warmer is facing you and then work all 50 stitches?
Please let me know if you suspect where you may have gone wrong, then maybe I can help you more specifically!
Whitney
I love these handwarmers. Can they be done on circulars with a short cable? I thought the ribbing might offer the stretch if needed.
Thanks, Linda
Hi Linda,
An 8-inch circular would work fine, although when you get to the thumb hole opening things get a little tight. You may find you'll want to use the circular needle along with a double pointed needle or two!
Thanks for asking!
Whitney
If I wanted to make these handwarmers for a man with average sized hands, how many stitches should I cast on?
Thank you!
Hi Lindsey,
You should be okay casting on 60 stitches!
Thanks for asking!
Whitney
Hi! What type of cast on would you recommend using for these arm warmers? Thanks!
Hi Elizabeth,
I almost always use a regular long-tail cast on, but honestly, there is a better technique for ribbed knitting. It's a variation of the long-tail cast on, but it's a bit neater and more elastic. I found this tutorial for a 2 x 2 rib from which you should be able to extrapolate a cast on for a 3 x 2 rib: http://yarnenvy.blogspot.com/2005/05/how-i-casted-on-for-2×2-rib.html
But if you're just in the mood to get started, a regular old long-tail cast on won't be the end of the world!
Thanks for your question!
Whitney
Hi. I'd like to make these for my toddler. How can I adapt the pattern for very small hands? Or can you recommend a pattern for baby hand warmers?
Hi Robyn,
You just need to cast on a multiple of 5 stitches (if the cast on is also a multiple of 10, you'll find the thumb hole instructions easy to follow too!). Adjust the lengths for little hands, and you're all set!
Thanks for asking and good luck!
Whitney
Hi,
I'm in the process of knitting the Rib Cowl, using yarn that is 22-24 Stitches to 4 inches. I'd love to make a pair of these handwarmers to match.
Would I need to reduce the number of stitches? (I have tiny wrists anyway) If so how would I calculate this? Or would I be better off making the zippered handwarmers as this seems to need a thicker yarn anyway?
Thanks,
Helen
Hi Helen,
Your yarn does sound like the right weight for the Zippered Hand Warmers, but if you'd prefer to make these, you certainly can!
You should knit up a knit 3, purl 2 swatch and measure your gauge. Figure out especially how many stitches to the inch you get when the ribbing is gently stretched. Multiply that number by the circumference of your palm. Round up or down to the nearest multiple of five for your final cast on number. So if you have an 8-inch palm and your ribbing is 6 stitches to the inch, you would multiply 8 x 6 = 48 and cast on either 50 or 45.
My guess for you is that you're going to cast on either 45 or 40 stitches!
Thanks so much for your question and please let us know if you have any more!
Whitney
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
Hello! I reached deep into the archives and found these I would love to make for my team. I see the yarn (and several of the others recommended) is no longer in stock. Would you be able to propose another yarn that would work for these? Thanks!
Hello! I apologize if this is a duplicate post!
Do you have some additional yarn recommendations for these? Would love to make them for a group of friends as they seem like the perfect gift and one size fits all! Thank you!
Hi JRS!
Thank you for writing in! We think that sounds like a wonderful idea for your friends! Quartz or Line-weight would both make wonderful alternatives for this pattern but you can also check out all of our fingering-weight yarns here! I hope this helps!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella