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!
Yarn lovers, if you adore the yarn used in this project, you’ll love exploring all of our other yarn collections! Discover over 45 thoughtfully designed yarns in nearly every natural fiber and in every spectacular color you can imagine. Only available here at Purl Soho’s online yarn store, where every skein is created with care and your creativity in mind!
May your holiday season be filled with super soft, swift knits!
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoSuperSoftMerinoHandWarmers, and #PurlSohoSuperSoftMerino. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
- 1 skein of Purl Soho’s Super Soft Merino, 100% merino wool yarn. Each skein of this bulky weight yarn is 87 yards/ 100 grams; approximately 87 yards required. We used the color Clementine Orange.
- A set of US 10.5 (6.5 mm) double pointed needles
- A stitch holder or scrap yarn
NOTE: We used the entire skein of Super Soft Merino. To avoid running short, be sure to check your gauge, reuse your swatch yarn, and keep tails short. Or, consider ordering an extra skein. If you don’t end up needing it, you can return unwound yarn for a refund within 30 days of purchase, or within 6 months, for store credit. Our Return Policy has all the details!
GAUGE
20 stitches = 4 inches in 1 x 1 rib, un-stretched
SIZE
- Finished Height: 9 inches from cast on edge to bind off edge
- Finished Circumference: 6 inches circumference, un-stretched, to fit most women
Pattern
Begin
Cast 28 stitches onto three double pointed needles. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
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.
LEARN ABOUT SUPER SOFT MERINO + ALL OUR BEAUTIFUL YARNS
The best reason to use Super Soft Merino for this project is because it is the dreamiest, cuddliest, toastiest yarn you can imagine! A single ply of 100% merino wool, Super Soft Merino has a nice, loose spin that shows off the softness of its fiber and keeps it nice and lightweight. Its gauge ranges from a chunky/bulky-weight to super bulky-weight (2.75-3.25 stitches per inch), making it a great choice for quick (and beautiful!) hand-knit gifts. And more… Super Soft Merino comes in over 30 amazing colors, too!
More Free Knitting Patterns
- Be sure to explore our vast collection of (mostly free!) Super Soft Merino knitting patterns and cast on!
More Chunky/Bulky + Super Bulky-Weight Yarns
- Shop our entire collection of chunky/bulky weight yarns
- Shop our entire collection of super bulky-weight yarns
- If you want to use a different yarn, be sure to take the time to get the correct gauge. Need help? Check our All About Gauge Tutorial!
More Yarns With Similar Fibers
- Shop merino wool
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!
I have been looking for a quick simple pattern for fingerless gloves and finally found it, can't wait to start these after the holiday ruckus. Thank you for sharing this pattern, wishing you and everyone at purl a healthy and happy 2013! xoxo
Just wanted to let you know that one skein did not make 2 hand warmers (at least for me) I ran out with 6 rows left for the hand and thumb to finish so I had to order another skein.
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?
Hi Ann Marie,
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
I’m confused. If you cast on same # of stitches and go down a needle size, wouldn’t that use up LESS yarn? Hmm, maybe you have to knit more rows with the smaller needles, hence more yarn.
Hi Michele!
The topic of having enough yarn versus gauge is very tough, especially on a pattern like this that cuts it very close to the full skein as we mentioned. For this one, it seems like using a slightly larger gauge would be safer, because we instruct to knit for “5 inches” at one point. On some patterns, it will say “knit for x number of rows” which would favor tighter gauges to using less yarn. In any case, it’s usually safest to get an extra skein!
Happy Knitting!
Thomas
Hi. Thanks for sharing this pattern with us! I have a skein (and some change) of the Super Soft Merino and a pair of DPNs, but they are size 11, not 10.5. Could I use my size 11 DPNs with pretty much the same result? I'm a pretty new knitter, so I can't really visualize how much of a different there'd be between 10.5 and 11 DPNs.
Hi Claire-
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
Hi. I really love this simple design which i think i would be able to knit these beautiful hand warmers. Im just a beginner so i dont know how to work with gauge. I just want to ask which needle size should i use for the yarn i have which is 8ply 100% pure new wool. On the yarn label it says needle size 6 US, 22 stiches and 30 rows for 10x10cm. Thanks very much for your help.
Hello Thuy,
The yarn you describe is much thinner than the yarn we used here. You would be getting 5 1/2 stitches to the inch in stockinette stitch on US6s and the yarn we have used is closer to like 3 1/2 stitches to the inch in stockinette stitch on US10 / US11.
A lot of modifications would need to be done in order to work your yarn with this pattern. Unfortunately, at this time, we do not have the re-sources to re-work this pattern for you.
If you are curious about gauge, we have a tutorial about swatching right here: http://purlbee.squarespace.com/swatch-tutorial/
Thanks,
Laura
So cute! Must make… But, could you suggest any other yarns I could use? I'm not a big fan of wool yarns.(Though they are luxurious…) I also have a skein of Lion Brand Homespun. Would that work? Thanks!
Hi Kel-
We don't carry anything else that is comparable in weight to this yarn but if you can get the same gauge in the Homespun then it will work just fine!
Thanks for getting in touch!
Molly
I tried to approximate the thickness of the yarn in the pattern by doubling the yarn I had, but it seemed like it would be too stretchy and bulky that way. I went down to one strand and made a handwarmer that fits well but is not as thick, so it won't keep the cold out as well as the one in the pattern. If you're looking to use what you have, though, and don't need it to be quite as warm, I'd recommend it. I used Di-ve Butterfly, 50g=121yds, and 10.5 needles. I made the first one in a maybe 3 hours, and am forcing myself to get back to work instead of starting the second one right away!
Question about finishing the thumb part. It says to knit the 9 stitches along with picking up a 10th. Then it says to knit two more rounds. Perhaps I'm interpreting incorrectly but wouldn't that give you a different pattern? Should that have been work 2 rounds in rib pattern? Thank you.
Hi Connie-
Good question, but pattern is correct. The thumb on these is in stockinette, not ribbed.
Thank you for writing in!
Molly
Hi,
I love this pattern! How would I work it so that it becomes mittens?
Thank you for sharing!
Kim
Hi Kim-
Unfortunately we don't have the resources right now to add a mitten option to this pattern but please check out all of our mitten patterns here:
https://www.purlsoho.com/create/mittens-gloves-and-handwarmers/
Thanks for getting in touch!
Molly
How can I size these up for a large man’s hand? Thanks!
Hi Shana-
These are pretty stretchy and forgiving so they might fit a man with smaller hands without any adjustment. But if you’d like to make them a bit bigger I’d try casting on 2 more stitches and just following the pattern as written. Every time you see a stitch count just make sure to mentally add 2 to the total number. You will also need to get another skein of yarn because these took every last bit of the skein.
Thank you!
Molly
please put me n your list..I love the shop…Mary Lou Kavaler
Hi Mary Lou,
Thanks for writing in! You have been added to our newsletter list. You should be receiving an email from us shortly.
Best,
Cassy
Hi there,
Love this nice simple pattern – thanks so much for it. I have a question about the thumb gusset increases. The two rounds described (increase round and next round) add 4 stitches to the 28 that were originally cast on. So if I repeat these 2 rounds “two more times” as instructed, won’t I end up with 40 stitches? Or should I only do the 2 rounds two times *in total*? Thanks for your help!
Hi Cam,
Thank you for the question! You will be repeating the last two paragraphs of directions twice more, not including the first paragraph (initial increase round). Thanks!
-Adam
Hey,
Would US 10s work with 1 skien
Hello Sienna,
Thank you for reaching out! If you go down to a US 10 from a US 10.5 your hand warmers will come out slightly smaller and denser.
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
Hi! Super cute hand warmers, but I don’t have Super Soft Merino. Can you substitute Gentle Giant for Super Soft Merino? I know Gentle Giant is a lot bigger, so can you tell me how to do it for this pattern, or can you make a new free pattern with Gentle Giant Hand Warmers?
-Thanks
Hi Sienna,
Thanks for writing in! Unfortunately, changing this pattern from bulky to super bulky would require extensive pattern alteration which we are unable to do in the comments. We do not currently have a pattern for wrist warmers out of Gentle Giant, but I will pass that suggestion along to the design team!
Best,
Julianna
What cast on methods do you recommend for this pattern?
Hello Nicole,
Thank you for reaching out! I would use a long tail cast on for this project.
Happy knitting,
Marilla
Awesome, thank you for responding! I’m excited to start this project! I was putting it off bc, after googling, I found some tricky-looking methods I’ve never used before and got intimidated. I can definitely do the long tail cast on though! 🙂
Perfect- I’m excited for you. Let us know how it goes!
-Marilla
quick question – if i’m starting k1p1 then in the round the last stitch before the stitch marker and the first one are both knit stitches. is that right? thought it was supposed to be a rib so how can the last stitch and first joining stitch be back to back k sts? help please!
Hi Rachel,
Thanks for reaching out! Since these hand warmers have an even number of stitches, you should begin each round with a knit and end with a purl, so it sounds like you might have gotten off in your ribbing at some point. I would first start by counting to make sure you have cast on the correct number of stitches (which is 28), and if that is correct, go through stitch by stitch to see if you can find a spot where you either knitted or purled two stitches in a row.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
Here is a pattern for knitting mittens with this fabulous yarn. Follow the bulky pattern.