Zippered Hand Warmers
Zippers, in this case, dispose of their actual use and embrace the whimsy of their style. Bold and chunky, bright and friendly, these zippers are here for our entertainment only! Wear them on the palm side or the knuckle side; up, down, or half way in between, they’ll make you smile!
Madeline Tosh’s new Tosh Merino DK sets the stage for all of this zipper play. Right in between Tosh Light and Tosh Worsted, the DK weight is the same beautiful single ply superwash merino as its cousins. And most importantly, it comes in the same palette of luminescent hand dyed colors that makes Madeline Tosh some of our very 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 #PurlSohoZipperedHandWarmers. We can’t wait to see what you make!
The Materials
Tomato Hand Warmers
- 1 skein of Madeline Tosh’s Tosh Merino DK, 100% Superwash Merino. Each skein is 225 yards/ 115 grams; approximately 225 yards required. This color is Tomato.
- Two 10-inch, non-separating chunky zippers. This color is Silky White 571.
- Gutermann’s Cotton Thread to match the yarn. This color is 4915.
- A set of US 5 (3.75 mm) double pointed needles
Shop our wonderful collection of light worsted/dk 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!
Luster Hand Warmers
- 1 skein of Madeline Tosh’s Tosh Merino DK, 100% Superwash Merino. Each skein is 225 yards/ 115 grams; approximately 225 yards required. This color is Luster.
- Two 10-inch, non-separating chunky zippers. This color is Red 816.
- Gutermann’s Cotton Thread to match the yarn. This color is 3170.
- A set of US 5 double pointed needles
Shop our wonderful collection of light worsted/dk 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!
The Pattern
Gauge
6 stitches = 1 inch in stockinette stitch
Finished Size
Comfortably stretches to about 8 inches in circumference, to fit most women.
11½ inches in length.
Hand Warmer A
Cast 43 stitches onto one double pointed needle. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Working back and forth with two double pointed needles…
Row 1 (wrong side): *P3, k2, repeat from * to end last 3 stitches, p3.
Row 2 (right side): *K3, p2, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, k3.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until piece measures 8 inches from cast on edge, ending with a ws row.
Thumb Hole
NOTE: For this section you will work back and forth on just some of the stitches, turning the work between rows.
Row 1 (rs): [K3, p2] two times. (10 stitches)
Row 2 (ws): [K2, p3] two times.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until this section measures 9 1/2 inches from cast on edge, ending with a rs row.
Cut the yarn.
With the rs facing you, join new yarn to the needle holding the 33 stitches. And now working just these 33 stitches…
Next Row (rs): *K3, p2, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, k3.
Next Row (ws): *P3, k2, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, p3.
Repeat last 2 rows until this section measures 9 1/2 inches from the cast on edge, finishing with a rs row.
Hand
Now working all 43 stitches and closing the thumb hole…
Row 1 (ws): *P3, k2, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, p3. (43 stitches)
Row 2 (rs):*K3, p2, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, k3.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until piece measures 10 inches from cast on edge, ending with a rs row.
**With the wrong side facing you, use a Cable Cast On to cast on 2 stitches. (45 stitches)
Distribute the stitches among three double pointed needles, and with the right side facing you, place a marker (optional) and join for working in the round.
Round 1: *K3, p2, repeat from * to end of round.
Repeat Round 1 until piece measures 11 1/2 from cast on edge.
Bind of loosely in k3, p2 pattern.
Cut the yarn and weave in the ends.***
Hand Warmer B
Cast 43 stitches onto one double pointed needle.
Working back and forth with two double pointed needles…
Row 1 (wrong side): *P3, k2, repeat from * to end last 3 stitches, p3.
Row 2 (right side): *K3, p2, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, k3.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until piece measures 8 inches from cast on edge, ending with a rs row.
Thumb Hole
NOTE: For this section you will work back and forth on just some of the stitches, turning the work between rows.
Row 1 (ws): [P3, k2] two times. (10 stitches)
Row 2 (rs): [P2, k3] two times.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until this section measures 9 1/2 inches from cast on edge, ending with a ws row.
Cut the yarn.
With the ws facing you, join new yarn to the needle holding the 33 stitches. And now working just these 33 stitches…
Next Row (ws): *P3, k2, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, p3.
Next Row (rs): *K3, p2, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, k3.
Repeat last 2 rows until this section measures 9 1/2 inches from the cast on edge, finishing with a ws row.
Hand
Now working all 43 stitches and closing the thumb hole…
Row 1 (rs): *K3, p2, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, k3. (43 stitches)
Row 2 (ws):*P3, k2, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, p3.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until piece measures 10 inches from cast on edge, ending with a rs row.
Repeat from ** to *** of Hand A (above).
Both Hand Warmers
Adding the Zippers
Start by situating the base of the zipper at the place in the hand where you cast on two stiches.
For step-by-step instructions on how to pin and sew a zipper into place, please check out our Zipper Tutorial. You’ll be set to zip in no time!
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!
There is a slight (SLIGHT!) typo in this I wanted to point out! On hand warmer B under “thumb hole” it says, “Row 1 (ws): [P3, k2] two times. (10 stitches) Row 2 (rs): [K3, p2] two times” but I believe it means to say Row 2 (rs) [p2, K3].
Love this pattern! It would be great to have something similar (think nice hobo gloves) for men!
Hi Riley Mae,
Right you are! Thank you so much for your close attention. I changed the pattern for future knitters!
Happy holidays!
Whitney
Hi – Tried to navigate to your Zipper Tutorial and got a 'page not found' mssg.
Would it be possible to send me another link, or has the page been removed?
Wanted to make some of these for my nieces and the Zipper Tutorial would make my life so much easier.
Many thanks for sharing your great patterns.
Aurora
Hi Aurora-
Sorry, that page was moved and we neglected to change the link. Here it is: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/knitting-tutorials-finishing/2008/10/1/zippers-in-knits.html
And the link has been corrected. Thank you, and good luck with the project!
Molly
How do you get the zippers lined up nicely? I just finished a pair and the zippers were really uneven. This may also be due to my inability to sew on zippers. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know.
Hi Arielle,
Did you check out our Zippers in Knits Tutorial? If not, it may be helpful for next time: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/knitting-tutorials-finishing/2008/10/1/zippers-in-knits.html
Please let us know if you have a question beyond the tutorial and we'll be very happy to help!
Thanks for your question!
Whitney
Hello!
I've been wanting to knit up these Zippered Hand Warmers since this pattern was published. I finally had an opportunity to cast on this week, and am thinking about purchasing zippers. This is where I am confused. The materials section lists two-10" NON-separating zippers, but in the photos, such as the very first photo, the zippers are opened at the end, which I would interpret as separating. Like a hoodie or jacket zipper that opens or separates at the bottom. Am I misinterpreting something here? Separating vs. non-separating??
Thanks very much!
Confused Betsy in the snow-flurry-zing Seattle suburbs
Hi Betsy,
You do, indeed, want a Non-Separating Zipper. A Separating Zipper opens on both ends (like you say, for a hoodie or jacket zipper), while a Non-Separating Zipper opens at one end and is fused together at the other end (like for a zip-neck pullover or… these hand warmers!).
I hope this relieves your doubt! Please let us know if you have any other questions and thanks for this one!
Whitney