Chunky Ribbed Wrist Warmers (Knitted, Beginner)

These are cozy, quick wrist warmers worked flat on two straight needles and seamed up the side. A gap is left in the seam for your thumb. The pattern uses only knit, purl, casting on, binding off and simple seaming.

Sizes

• Small (S): fits hand circumference 6.5–7 in (16.5–18 cm)
• Medium (M): fits 7.5–8 in (19–20.5 cm)
• Large (L): fits 8.5–9.5 in (21.5–24 cm)

Numbers are given as S (M, L). Where only one number appears, it applies to all sizes.

Finished measurements (after seaming, unstretched):

• Circumference: 6.75 (8, 9.25) in / 17 (20.5, 23.5) cm
• Length: 7.25 (7.5, 8.5) in / 18.5 (19, 21.5) cm

Materials

• Yarn: Chunky weight (CYC #5), about 70 (85, 100) yds / 64 (78, 91) m for the pair. A wool or wool blend is recommended.
• Needles: US 10.5 (6.5 mm) straight needles, or the size needed to obtain gauge
• Notions: Tapestry needle, scissors, 2 locking stitch markers

Gauge

14 sts and 20 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in stockinette stitch, after blocking.

To check your gauge, cast on 18 sts and work 24 rows in stockinette. Measure across the center of the swatch.

• If you have more stitches per 4 in than stated, try a larger needle.
• If you have fewer stitches, try a smaller needle.

Abbreviations

• k – knit
• p – purl
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• RS – right side
• WS – wrong side
• BO – bind off

Stitch patterns

K2, p2 rib (multiple of 4 + 2 sts):

• Row 1 (RS): K2, *p2, k2; repeat from * to end.
• Row 2 (WS): P2, *k2, p2; repeat from * to end.

Repeat Rows 1–2.

Stockinette stitch:

• RS rows: knit.
• WS rows: purl.

Instructions (make 2 alike)

The warmers are symmetrical, so either piece can be worn on either hand.

Wrist cuff

1. Using the long-tail method, cast on 26 (30, 34) sts. Leave a 12 in (30 cm) tail; you will use it for seaming.
2. Work k2, p2 rib for 10 rows, ending after a WS row. The cuff will measure about 2 in (5 cm). (26 (30, 34) sts)

Hand

1. Work in stockinette stitch for 20 (22, 26) rows, ending after a WS row (20 (22, 26) rows ÷ 5 rows per in = 4 (4.4, 5.2) in ✓).
2. Thumb markers: At the end of the last stockinette row, place a locking marker in the edge stitch. Also place a marker in the edge stitch 8 (10, 12) rows below it. Place both markers on the same edge. The space between them, 1.6 (2, 2.4) in, will become the thumb opening.

(26 (30, 34) sts)

Top rib

1. Work k2, p2 rib for 6 rows, ending after a WS row (1.2 in).
2. Bind off loosely in pattern, knitting the knits and purling the purls. Leave a 12 in (30 cm) tail.

Total: 10 + 20 (22, 26) + 6 = 36 (38, 42) rows ✓

Finishing

1. Fold: Fold the piece in half lengthwise with the RS facing out, so that the two long edges meet.

2. Lower seam: Thread the cast-on tail onto a tapestry needle. Mattress stitch the edges together, working 1 st in from each edge, from the cast-on edge up to the lower thumb marker.

   • This seam covers the 10 rib rows plus the first 12 (12, 14) stockinette rows.
   • Fasten off securely.

3. Upper seam: Thread the bind-off tail onto the tapestry needle. Mattress stitch from the bind-off edge down to the upper thumb marker. This seam covers 6 rows.

4. Thumb opening: Leave the edges between the markers unseamed. The opening is 8 (10, 12) rows, or 1.6 (2, 2.4) in. Remove the markers.

   Seam check: Lower seam 22 (22, 24) rows + opening 8 (10, 12) rows + upper seam 6 rows = 36 (38, 42) rows ✓

5. Weave in ends: Weave the ends into the seam on the WS.

6. Block: Wet block lightly, or steam block, to 6.75 (8, 9.25) in circumference and 7.25 (7.5, 8.5) in length.

The mattress seam uses 1 st from each edge, so 24 (28, 32) sts remain around the hand. At 3.5 sts per in, this gives 6.75 (8, 9.25) in ✓

Care

Hand wash in cool water and lay flat to dry.