purlJam

# Simple Lace Wrist Warmers

A pretty pair of fingerless wrist warmers worked seamlessly in the round from the cuff up. A four-stitch eyelet lace repeat keeps things easy while looking delicate — perfect for a quick, thoughtful gift. Ribbed cuffs and a neat ribbed top edge frame the openwork beautifully.

**Difficulty:** Easy
**Construction:** Worked in the round, bottom-up, with an afterthought-style thumb opening.

---

## Sizes

| Size | Hand circumference | Finished circumference (relaxed) |
|------|--------------------|----------------------------------|
| S    | ~17 cm (6¾")       | ~18 cm (7")                      |
| M    | ~19 cm (7½")       | ~20 cm (7¾")                     |
| L    | ~21 cm (8¼")       | ~21.5 cm (8½")                   |

Instructions are written for size **S**, with **M** and **L** in parentheses: S (M, L). Where only one number appears, it applies to all sizes.

**Finished length:** approximately 18 cm (7") from cast-on to bind-off — easily adjustable.

---

## Materials

- **Yarn:** Sport weight (5-ply / Fine #2). Approx. 70–90 m (75–100 yds) per warmer; **150–180 m (165–200 yds) total** for the pair.
- **Needles:** 3.5 mm (UK 9–10 / US 4) — set of double-pointed needles (DPNs) or a long circular for magic loop. *Tip: also have a 3.25 mm needle handy for the ribbing if you knit loosely.*
- **Notions:** Stitch markers (1 for beginning of round), waste yarn or stitch holder, tapestry needle.

---

## Tension (Gauge)

**24 sts & 32 rounds = 10 cm (4")** over stockinette stitch in the round on 3.5 mm needles, after blocking.

A small swatch matters here — the lace will block open, so check tension over stockinette for fit accuracy.

---

## Abbreviations (UK)

- **k** – knit
- **p** – purl
- **yo** – yarn over
- **k2tog** – knit two together (right-leaning decrease)
- **st(s)** – stitch(es)
- **rep** – repeat
- **rnd(s)** – round(s)
- **BOR** – beginning of round
- **pm** – place marker

---

## Lace Pattern (Simple Eyelet — multiple of 4 sts)

Worked over a 2-round repeat:

- **Rnd 1:** *k2, yo, k2tog; rep from * to end.
- **Rnd 2:** Knit all sts.

> **Stitch-count check:** Each 4-st repeat contains one **yo** (+1) and one **k2tog** (−1) = net **0**. Stitch count is preserved on every round. ✓

---

## Pattern Instructions

### 1. Cuff

Cast on **44 (48, 52)** sts using your preferred stretchy method (long-tail recommended). Join to work in the round, taking care not to twist. **pm** for BOR.

> **Count check:** 44 (48, 52) sts ÷ 4 = 11 (12, 13) lace repeats — divides evenly. ✓

Work k1, p1 ribbing:

- **Rib rnd:** *k1, p1; rep from * to end.

Repeat the rib rnd until the cuff measures **5 cm (2")** from cast-on edge.

### 2. Lace Body (lower hand)

Switch to the **Lace Pattern**:

- Work **Rnds 1–2** of the Lace Pattern a total of **5 times** (10 rnds), then work **Rnd 1 once more** — *or* continue until the lace section measures approximately **6.5 cm (2½")** from the top of the cuff, ending with a Rnd 2.

You should now be at the base of the thumb. Total length so far: roughly **11.5 cm (4½")**.

### 3. Thumb Opening

The thumb opening is worked over **6 (6, 8)** sts. We create the hole by knitting back and forth for a few rows, leaving an opening on the palm side, then re-joining in the round.

**Set-up — Right Warmer (work flat for the opening):**

Beginning at the BOR, work **Rnd 1 of the Lace Pattern across the first 38 (42, 44) sts.** Then, instead of working the remaining **6 (6, 8)** sts in the round, **turn the work** and begin working back and forth:

- **Row A (WS):** Purl across all 44 (48, 52) sts. Turn.
- **Row B (RS):** *k2, yo, k2tog; rep from * to end. Turn.
- **Row C (WS):** Purl across. Turn.

Repeat Rows B–C until the flat opening measures **5 cm (2")** — about **6 (6, 6) rows** total, ending after a WS (purl) row.

> The slit edges created by working flat form the thumb opening. The opening sits at the end of the round, which falls on the palm/side of the hand. ✓

**Left Warmer (mirror the opening):**
Work exactly as the right warmer, but place the BOR on the opposite side so the thumb opening mirrors. Simplest method: knit the two warmers identically — wrist warmers are symmetrical and a centred side-opening fits either hand comfortably. *(For a true mirror, simply slip the first 6 (6, 8) sts to a holder at the thumb stage on the second mitt and graft later — optional and not required for fit.)*

> **Count check:** No increases or decreases worked during the flat section — stitch count remains **44 (48, 52)**. ✓

### 4. Re-join in the Round (upper hand)

Re-join to work in the round (close the flat opening simply by continuing around). pm for new BOR if needed.

- Resume the **Lace Pattern**, beginning with **Rnd 2 (knit)** to even out, then continue Rnds 1–2.

Work in Lace Pattern until the upper section measures approximately **3.5 cm (1½")**, ending with a Rnd 2.

> Total length now: approximately **16 cm (6¼")**.

### 5. Ribbed Top Edge

Switch to k1, p1 ribbing:

- **Rib rnd:** *k1, p1; rep from * to end.

Work until ribbing measures **2 cm (¾")**.

> Final total length: approximately **18 cm (7")**. ✓

**Bind off** loosely in pattern (k the knits, p the purls) to keep the top edge stretchy.

### 6. Make the Second Warmer

Repeat all steps to make a matching warmer.

---

## Finishing

1. Weave in all ends using a tapestry needle.
2. **Block lightly:** soak in lukewarm water with a little wool wash, gently squeeze out excess (do not wring), and pat into shape on a towel. Blocking opens up the lace eyelets beautifully. Allow to dry flat.
3. Try on and admire your work!

---

## Notes & Tips

- **Adjusting length:** Add or remove full Lace Pattern repeats (2 rounds each ≈ 0.6 cm) before or after the thumb to lengthen or shorten.
- **Larger thumb:** For roomier thumbs, work the flat opening section to 6 cm (2½") instead of 5 cm.
- **Tighter fit at wrist:** Use the 3.25 mm needle for the cuff ribbing only.
- **Quick gift:** At sport weight, each warmer takes only an evening or two — ideal for last-minute presents.

---

### Stitch-Count Summary (final verification)

| Section        | Stitches | Check |
|----------------|----------|-------|
| Cast-on / Cuff | 44 (48, 52) | divisible by 4 ✓ |
| Lace body      | 44 (48, 52) | yo/k2tog balanced, net 0 ✓ |
| Thumb (flat)   | 44 (48, 52) | no inc/dec ✓ |
| Upper hand     | 44 (48, 52) | preserved ✓ |
| Ribbed top     | 44 (48, 52) | even k1p1 ✓ |

All sections maintain a consistent stitch count and the lace repeat divides evenly throughout. ✓

Happy knitting!