Colorblock Hand Warmers
The sweet spot of knitting, for me, is when it starts to feel a lot like painting. When the form is fluid and mutable and when the palette is supple and free, then I feel that knitting really hits its creative stride. Creating these Colorblock Hand Warmers delivers just that kind of deeply satisfying experience.
The idea behind these simple mitts was to give free rein to the gorgeous colors of Madeline Tosh Merino Light, to allow the spectacularly hand dyed palette to speak its own story and to create its own beauty: from moonlight gray to buttery yellow to bronzed apricot to blazing tangerine.
Follow your own color whimsy or take a page from our book! -Whitney
Update: October 2013
Here’s another idea! Try the Colorblock Hand Warmers in Purl Soho’s very own Line Weight merino. Incredibly soft and downy, Line Weight is our new go-to yarn for fall accessories, not too toasty or bulky, just perfectly cozy!
UPDATE: IN BEAUTIFUL QUARTZ
February 2022
More options for this lovely, simple knit! In stripes or colorblocks, try these hand warmers in our lovely Quartz yarn… a wonderful merino-suri alpaca blend that is light but warm and glows with the mystery and beauty of an unearthed gem. Oh-so-beautiful!
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Whitney Van Nes.
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, and #PurlSohoColorblockHandWarmers. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
- 4 skeins of Madeline Tosh’s Tosh Merino Light. Each skein is 420 yards/ 100 grams; approximately 420 yards total, or 105 yards per color, required. We used the colors Napoli, Alabaster, Milk and Luster.
NOTE: Just one skein would be enough to make a whole pair of hand warmers. Or use all four and switch the colors around to make four slightly different pairs!
OR
- 4 skeins of Purl Soho’s Line Weight, 100% merino wool. Each skein is 494 yards/ 100 grams; approximately 420 yards total, or 105 yards per color, required. NOTE: This is enough yarn to make at least four pairs of Colorblock Hand Warmers.
We dipped into our palette of favorite Line Weight colors to create three gorgeous color combos
- Left: Yellow Yellow (Color A), Desert Blue (B), Oyster Gray (C), and Heirloom White (D)
- Middle: Dragonfly Blue (Color A), Peacock Blue (B), Timeless Navy (C), and Toasted Charcoal (D)
- Right: Super Pink (Color A), Ballet Pink (B), Storm Gray (C), and Heirloom White (D)
You will also need…
- A set of US 2 (3 mm) double pointed needles
- A set of US 3 (3.25 mm) double pointed needles
Gauge
8 stitches = 1 inch in stockinette stitch
Sizes
Small/Medium: 6 1/2 inches in circumference and 12 inches long
Medium/Large: 7 1/2 inches in circumference and 12 inches long. (Instructions for the Medium/Large size are shown in parantheses after the Small/Medium size.)
Pattern
With Color A (Luster) and the US 2 double pointed needles, cast on 52 (60) stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Join for working in the round being careful to not twist your stitches.
Round 1: *K1, p1, repeat from * to end of round.
Repeat Round 1 five more times.
Change to US 3 double pointed needles.
Knit until the piece measures 4 1/2 inches from the cast on edge.
With Color B (Milk), knit until the piece measures 8 inches from the cast on edge.
With Color C (Alabaster), knit 5 rounds.
The 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.
*Turn the work so the purl side is facing you and purl all 52 (60) stitches.
Now turn the work so the knit side is facing you and knit the 52 (60) stitches.
Repeat from * until the thumb hole measures 1 1/2 inches, ending with a knit row.
The 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 last knit row with the outside facing you.
Knit 5 rounds.
With Color D (Napoli), knit for 1 inch.
Change to US #2 double pointed needles.
Next Round: *K1, p1, repeat from * to end of round.
Repeat the last round 3 more times.
Use a US #3 double pointed needle to bind off in the 1 x 1 rib pattern.
Finishing the Thumb Hole
With Color C and the US #2 double pointed needles, pick up 28 stitches around the thumb hole.
Round 1: *K1, p1, repeat from * to end of round.
Repeat Round 1 one more time.
With a US #3 double pointed needle, bind off in the 1 x 1 rib pattern.
Weave in all the ends and then make another!
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!
these are beautiful! I wish I could knit better
These are simple, beautiful, and cozy, and they sort of look like candy corn (which is a good thing!) I have a pattern question though. You say:
“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.
*Turn the work so the purl side is facing you and knit all 52 (60) stitches.”
If these are stockinette, shouldn't that read: “Turn the work so the purl side is facing you and PURL all 52 (60) stitches?”
Thanks.
Hi Laura,
Totally! Thank you so much for pointing out that mistake. It's fixed now!
Whitney
Love these and the yarn looks yummy. If I only want a single solid color how many skeins do I need for a pair?
Is it just me, or does this selection of colors remind anyone else of candy corn? Also, love it!
Hi Grace-
You'll only need one skein to make a solid pair.
Thanks!
hello whitney, i wish you'd give the yarn weight as in lace/fingering, etc, and also the needle size in metric on top of the american sizes, thank you for your lovely projects and for sharing ox
I MUST do it! they are perfect for me. thank you very much for pattern 🙂
susina
Would love to see you tube video for how to put this together.
Just another little correction: I'm guessing that “Knit until the piece measures 4 1/2 stitches from cast on edge” should be “4 1/2 inches”.
Hi Sara-
Thanks for pointing that out! It's been changed.
– Molly
could these be done with circular needles as well? Or are they generally too long?
Hi Elaine-
You could try them on an 8-inch circular needle. We have them available here: https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/8-Skacel-Addi-Turbo-Circular-Needles
Or you could give the magic loop method a try.
Thank you for your question!
– Molly
I'm sorry if this is a dense question (I am new to double-pointed needles), but when you say to cast on 52 stitches, is that 52 total (~17 per needle), or 52 on each of 3 needles? Using 52 total seems too small? Thanks!
Hi Chantelle-
It is 52 stitches total which will make them 6.5-inches around, which is smaller than the diameter of most hands. However, they will stretch to fit a small/ medium hand. You can also make the larger size if you're making it for a medium/ large hand.
Thank you for your question!
Molly
These look wonderful but I also would love a you tube video. If your new to knitting is this something that can be done as a beginner project?
Love your site! I have a question about the gauge listed. Is it 8 st/in in stockinette using the #2 needles or using the #3 needles? I am a loose “picker” style knitter and I usually just bump down a couple sizes to obtain the right gauge, but I am juuuust barely squeaking out 8 stitches/inch on size 0 needles right now! So if it is 8 stitches on the #2s I think it will work…otherwise I have been eyeing up the Susan Bates sock needle set in your online store. Or I suppose I could cast on less stitches, but that is not as fun as new needles!
These mitts are so simple but absolutely stunning! I love the colour choice. Gotta make me some of them!
I love your patterns, but I wish you could print them on a full
page rather than a skinny column. When I print them out it
takes several pages of paper which is a huge waste. Maybe
you could create a printout option that would be a full page
width.
Thank you!
I love these and hope to make them.
The colors look like they are bringing warmth down to the fingers – a romantic view. Candy corn as well.
Hi Helen-
We totally understand your frustration and it's something we are committed to resolving in the future. In the meantime we recommend that you copy and paste the text or the pattern into a Text or Word document and print it that way. It's not ideal but it does cut down on the waste.
Thank you so much for your comment!
Molly
Such lovely mittens. How to make simplicity look best! Thanks!
I, too, would like clarification for gauge??
8 sts/inch on the #2 or #3 needles??
Hi Karen-
The gauge is given for the #3 needles.
Thank you for your question!
Molly
Napoli AND Cameo seem to be discontinued… could you suggest another sub? Chamomile? Caravan?
Thanks!
Hi Theresa-
It's such a shame that those colors were discontinued! Right now we are low on all of the colors but are waiting for a shipment. If you drop us a line at customerservice AT purlsoho DOT com we can email you when it come in and let you know what colors would be the best match.
Thank you!
Molly
I am just starting these! I fell in love immediately!
I'm a huge walker and these colors remind me of a cloudy dawn. My favourite time of day!
Got some creamy, lovely bamboo yarn in colors that are almost identical. I'm soooo excited to have these! Thank you!!!
I've decided to make these using my left over anzula squishy yarn in the color poppy and i want them to look like candy corn. Any suggestions for yarn/colors for the birighter orange? Sometimes the colors online look very different than the actual product. Thanks, Desirae
Hi Desirae-
Cantaloupe in Squishy would work well as would Koigu in color 1240:https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/410-Koigu-Wool-Designs-Koigu-Premium-Merino-KPM
Thanks for your question!
Molly
What a lovely pattern. I love the colours as well! Too bad I cannot buy them where I live (and it does seem awfully expensive to buy all four colours when using so little of the last two skeins).
I will be looking for some good alternative yarn and I will give them a try since I always have cold hands in the winter (but everyone in the house always seem to find it warm so this would be great)
Again thank you so much.
Warm regards,
Helen Jones
Hi Helen-
Thank you for your kind words about this pattern! Just so you know, we ship all over the world and the yarn is available here: https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/7957-Madeline-Tosh-Tosh-Merino-Light
Also, you can make up to 4 pairs of handwarmers with the 4 skeins, or you can make a solid colored pair with just one skein.
Best-
Molly
wondering if anyone else is having this problem…
everything goes great for these until i start knitting flat for the thumb hole. i somehow twist my stitches when i start with the purl stitches back and forth. i am able to knit through the back of the stitch on the RS, but it still looks a little different than when i knit in the round. i have no idea why this is happening and would appreciate any assistance in managing this so my stitches look consistent for the entire piece.
Hi, I would love to make a pair of these but I have a question first:
In the sizing section you say that the small/med is 6 1/2 inches and med/large is 7 1/2 inches; where is that circumference measuring at? The wrist, around the fingers only or around fingers including thumb?
Hi JRS,
I can't say for sure, but it sounds like you might twist either your knit or purl stitches. When you make a knit stitch you should insert the right needle through the front of the stitch in an away from you motion (i.e. from front to back). And when you purl, you should be bringing the right needle through the stitch from back to front in a toward you motion.
You may want to double check your technique with these helpful videos from Knitting Help: http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/knit-stitch and http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/purl-stitch .
If it turns out this isn't the problem, please let me know and we'll try to figure it out!
Whitney
Hi Sarah,
The measurement is the same around the wrist as it is around the fingers, so both!
I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any more questions and thanks for this one!
Whitney
Hi, I wonder if you know the total approximate yardage for these? I have some fingering weight scraps totaling a little over 100 yards. Would that suffice for the smaller size, do you think? I sure hope so, I really love the pattern. All your patterns are so lovely.
Hi Betsy,
I don't know exactly how many yards I used, but I would guess around 250. I don't think 100 yards will get you there, but you could make a shorter version!
Thanks so much for question!
Whitney
Hello,
I am brand new at this… I have followed your pttern and had no problem until I reached the thumb part… I knit 52 stiches then turn work – knit 52 stiches.. repeat for 1 1/2″.. how does this create the thumb hole?? or am I ahead of myself? ( am I working on 2 needles or should I be working with 3??
Hi Suzanne,
You don't “knit 52 stitches then turn work – knit 52 stitches”. You actually turn the work (so the inside of the hand warmer is facing you), PURL 52 stitches, then turn (so the outside of the hand warmer is facing you) and knit those same stitches.
I think it might help to review to the pattern Note which gives you an overview of how the Thumb Hole is formed: 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.
I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any more questions and good luck!
Whitney
Love, love your work! I was wondering if I could make these with straight needles?
Thanks you,
Stacey
Hey! Love these and made myself a pair, but I have a baby friend who would benefit from some adorable hand warmers. Is there any way this pattern could be altered to fit tiny baby hands?
Hi Stacey,
Sure! You could cast on 52 or 60 stitches, work the rib pattern for 6 rows, work stockinette stitch until the piece measures about 11 1/2 inches, and end with 6 rows of ribbing. Then sew up the seam for 8 1/2 inches, leave 1 1/2 inches open for the thumb hole, and sew the remaining 2 inches of seam. To make the ribbing around the thumb hole without busting out the double pointed needles, I guess you could pick up one side of the thumb hole stitches, work the ribbing and cast off; do the same on the other side and then sew the two little seams you're left with.
I hope this gets you on the road. Please let us know if you have any other questions and thanks for this one!
Whitney
Hi Nichole,
Sounds adorable! To adjust the pattern you should first determine the circumference of the baby's hands (at the palm). Multiply that number by 8 (the gauge) and cast on that number (if it's an odd number, add 1 because you want an even number of stitches). Adjust the overall and thumb hole lengths to fit the baby in question. That's it!
Thanks for asking and please let us know if you have any other questions!
Whitney
I just started working on these handwarmers today, and it's my first time knitting a project in the round that's this small. So far it's working out great! I'm also using round knitting needles instead of the double ended ones. I always have trouble with them! So for anyone who has trouble with double ended kneedles as well, get the 9" long round ones and they work great! ^___^
so I'm trying to finish the thumb hold and I'm not sure how to pick up the stitches around the hole… can you provide some direction?
also this may be a silly question but how do I integrate the extra yarn into the thumb hole as I cut the yarn and switched colors after the hole, I'm afraid I should have left a long tale in color c but didn't. any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Do you recommend blocking the hand warmers? If so, what method? Wet? Steam? Spray?
Hi Maria,
Picking up stitches is a common knitting technique that creates live, usable stitches from a finished edge of knitting. We don't have a tutorial on the subject (yet!), but Knitty does. Check it out right here: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter04/FEATwin04TT.html
And, yes, whenever you cut the yarn in knitting, you want to leave at least a 6-8-inch tail so that you can weave it in later. Here's our tutorial on weaving in ends, if you'd like a little guidance: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/knitting-tutorials-finishing/2011/7/14/weaving-in-your-ends.html
Thanks for your questions and please let us know if you have any more!
Whitney
Hi Vaporetti,
If you feel like your stitches could use a little smoothing out or things aren't looking as neat as you'd like, then yes, you should block your finished hand warmers. I would put them in a sink full of warm water with some very gentle soap; let them soak for 15 minutes; rinse and squeeze out the excess water (don't twist or wring); and lay them flat to dry. That's it!
Thanks for asking and good luck!
Whitney
Thank you for this nice pattern. I've just started on the mitts today and am using MadelineTosh Sock and Koigu. After a couple of swatches, I am knitting the larger size (CO 60) but on US-1 DPNs for the CO and then switching to US-2 DPNs for the body of the mitt for a slightly more-snug fit. I'm also incorporating an 11 round wave pattern to add an accent to where each color change takes place. Looking forward to seeing how it comes out!
Hi! I was just wondering if there were any other yarns that would be a good substitute for this project! The yarn used is not available where I live 🙁
Thanks!
Hi Kylee-
Yes, you can use any fingering weight yarn to make these! Additionally, we sell all of the materials listed here and ship all over the world! Here is a link to our fingerling weight yarn selection:
https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/3-knitting-crochet-yarn?filters%5B%5D=3
Thank you!
Molly
I am a new knitter. My very first project was the cable knit hat– love it. These hand warmers are my second project. But I am confused by the bind off I’ve searched for a video– not to be found. Could anyone provide me an explanation or even a video link?
Thanks so much!
Hi Leena-
This is just a regular bind off in pattern. That mean’s you’ll knit 1, then purl one, then pull the knit stitch over the purl stitch and drop it off of the tip of the right needle. Then knit one and pull the previous (purl) stitch over the newest (knit) stitch and off of the tip of the right needle.
I found this video on youtube that might help! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxasDIE7cXc
Thanks for your question and please let us know is you need any more help!
Molly
These are all very beautiful. I hope I can knit them all to enjoy.
I have a question on how to do the thumb hole, how do I go from circular to flat knitting? I have just recently started knitting so I have only every really just done the bind-off for the thumb hole, just like for a button hole. This looks much much better! Are there any videos available for this? Thank you so much.
Hello Mariana,
In order to transition from knitting in the round to knitting flat, you will need to turn the work so that the needle with the ball of yarn attached to it is in your left hand and your empty needle starts in your right hand. Instead of continuing to knit in a spiral in the round, you will now be knitting back and forth from right to left and then left to right. I don’t believe there will be any videos on this, but if you like to make the thumb hole like a button hole, that’s a fantastic idea!
Happy Knitting!
Alyson
It sounds like it can’t possibly work, but all you have to do is turn the knitting and knit in the opposite direction (just like you would for flat knitting). You don’t really have to DO anything. Then, when it is time to rejoin in the round, it looks very similar to the very first round you joined at Row 1 of the work. It can’t really be explained, but makes so much sense if you just do it. Like many things- knitting is a learning by doing sort of hobby. I hope it worked out!
Hi there!
I am a fairly new knitter – when it comes to the thumb hole, do I need to wrap and turn the work as in the short rows for the Bandana Cowl or is there a turn but no wrapping?
Thanks!
Amy
Hello Amy!
The idea very similar, smart thinking! Since you are purposely trying to create a hole, you won’t need to use wrap and turns in order to keep everything in one piece. Simply turn the work and start working in the other direction right away. Don’t hesitate to ask any follow up questions you may have! Happy knitting! -Alyson
Hi. I am wondering about the amount of yarn used for a pair of these. Could there be enough left for another pair just with a different colour pattern?
Hello Chandra!
There would absolutely be enough yarn for one more pair—possibly even two more if you space out the colors right! Since each skein has 400 yards, you’ll definitely have plenty left over of each color.
Happy knitting! -Alyson
So if I only wanted to make one pair in one color, not color blocked, would 1 skein suffice?
Yes, you should have plenty! Good thinking Rebecca!
Happy knitting! -Alyson
Hi, I am a new knitter and have never used dpns before. I was just wondering how many needles you start with in the beginning of the pattern, three or four?
Hi CatMorbid,
Thanks for writing in! To start off with, your stitches will worked over three needles using the fourth needle. A tutorial on how to use dpns can be found here: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2008/07/25/double-pointed-needles/
I hope that that helps!
Best,
Cassy
I’m thinking of the new colors! What would you recommend with the kiln red, the rose granite and possibly the grey fig? Tough not seeing them in person! Possibly the ginger orange or peony? Is there any way to see a photo of the combinations?
Hi Gayle,
Thanks for writing in! I actually agree with you on the peony pink. It’s a peachy pink that would go well with the rose granite and kiln red. However, I would suggest substituting tabby grey for grey fig. It’s just my personal opinion. If you’d like, you can always call the store during store hours to have an associate send a picture of any combo you want sent to your email. Let us know!
-Adam
Hello! I am wondering if you have a suggestion for the length of the DPNs. I’ve seen anywhere from 5″ to 10″. Thanks!
Hi Sara,
Thanks for writing in a great question! For these hand warmers, I would recommend using 6 inch DPNs. You could use 8 inch DPNs but I would not go much longer as they tend to become cumbersome!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
Can you recommend color combinations of either the line weight or the tosh merino light for blues or greens? I see that most of the line weight is paired down and tosh merino is out of stock. Thanks!
Hi Emily,
We don’t have much Tosh Light unfortunately, so I’ll just recommend some Line Weight colors. I suggest Trout Brown, Steel Blue, Fieldstone Gray and Wheat Flour for the blue version and Terra Green (sale color), Moody Green (sale color), Tabby Gray and Wheat Flour for the green version. Hope you like it!
-Adam
Hi! Would it be possible to use circulars for this pattern instead of DPN’s? I don’t have DPN’s this size but I do have circulars and would love to cast on tonight without having to wait for a trip to the store. Thanks.
Hi Ruth,
Thanks for writing in! You certainly can use circular needles here. To do so, you will most probably need to use a technique called magic loop, where in you use a needle that is far longer than would work for the given circumference to knit a smaller item.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Hello
I got Tosh merino to make the hand warmers and realized it should be Tosh Merino Light …I already started ?? I will be in the store on Saturday this week can I change it ? Thanks
Hi Karen,
Oh no, that is too bad! Unfortunately, yarn that has been wound or used cannot be returned, but we would be happy to take a look in the shop to see if we can help you find another pattern that will work with the yarn! There are quite a few worsted weight hand warmer patterns available, or it could be quite cute to use the worsted weight for a matching hat. I’m sure our staff will be able to help you find a solution tomorrow!
Best,
Julianna
Just a heads up – the links to your line weight merino are broken in this pattern.
The pattern is really lovely!
Hi Angie,
Thanks so much for letting us know – this links should all be working now!
Best,
Julianna
Hiya, just wondering the yardage used? Thanks!!
Hi Dee,
Thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately we no longer have information on how much yardage is used for each color, but both hand warmers together took 400 yards total. Hopefully that helps you figure out how much yarn you will need!
Best,
Julianna
hello,
could you explain how to pick stitches around the thumb hole?
many thanks
Valerie
Hi Valerie,
Thank you for writing in! You can check out our picking up stitches tutorial here for a visual of how this can be done. I hope this helps!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella