So, like I said I have had a bit of an obsession with sock yarn lately and have amassed quite a stash. It was relief to see lots of comments on the previous post from fellow yarn stashers – thanks for all the tips on concealing yarn and justifying stash size to unappreciative partners! Thanks too for all the kind remarks about the misty blanket.
Anyway, I thought I ought to start using some of my sock yarn stash and I felt like making something simple and undemanding – a bit of vanilla knitting as Annie @ Knitsofacto calls it.
I like that I can knit row upon row of these without glancing down, just kind of feeling the rhythm of knit two, purl one, knit two … perfect knitting activity for the end of the day when I need something undemanding and kind to my fumbly, tired fingers. And using handpainted sock yarn makes these interesting, because you never can tell by looking at the skein quite how it will look when knitted up.
I am making several pairs of these as Christmas gifts and some for myself because I like warm hands in winter. I make them as straightforward tubes but because they are knitted flat and seamed at the end it is easy to leave a gap for your thumb if you prefer them that way.
If you want to make a pair, here's how:
Wristwarmer Recipe:
Using 2.75mm needles and a nice handpainted sock yarn, cast on 53 stitches
(I used a cable cast on because it stretches well)
(if you want to knit them in the round only cast on 51 stitches, don't work the last 2 stitches from each row and just repeat row 1 for each round)
Row 1: (K2, P1) 17 times, K2
Row 2: (P2, K1) 17 times, P2
repeat these two rows until you have the length you require (I settled on just over 6 inches / 16cms)
then cast off loosely in pattern (I went up to 3mm needles for the cast off row).
Close the seam using mattress stitch by alternating between picking up the bar between the first and second stitch and then the one between the last two stitches (there's a good mattress stitch tutorial here). Like I said you can leave a gap for your thumb in the seam if you prefer.
After seaming add a crochet border to the top:
Using a contrasting yarn and 2.75mm hook, slip stitch into the top of the seam
Round 1: chain 2, then single crochet into each of the cast off stitches until you are back to your start point, slip stitch into the 2nd chain stitch to finish that round
Round 2: chain 3, then double crochet into each of the stitches from the row below, until you are back to your start point, slip stitch into the 3rd chain stitch to finish that round
Round 3: chain 2, then single crochet into each of the stitches from the row below,
until you are back to your start point, slip stitch into the 2nd chain
stitch to finish that round. Cut work from the yarn and sew in ends along the side seam.
Wear or give.
I also made a pair in worsted yarn (the green ones with the light blue trim) and these were knitted on 3.25mm needles and I cast on 44 stitches. I also made them longer (around 8 inches) to go under three-quarter sleeved jumpers.
Knitting things to keep you warm sounds like a good thing to be doing right now – it's due to get frosty by the end of the week and the long range weather forecast sounds rather grim with some forecasters saying we're in for the worst winter in a hundred years. That sounds very ominous and I do hope they've got it wrong – keep warm where you are x
little cotton rabbits 
Really? Worst winter in 100 years? Not sure any amount of cozy knitting can prepare me for that!
Does that mean snow and ice and frost like we had in 2010? I do hope so! Photo opportunities, hot chocolate. I shall have to think about crocheting some wristies as my knitting sucks. Unlike yours.
The fact that some forecasters are saying so probably means we’ll all be sunbathing on Christmas day 😉 At least I hope so as I’m not looking forward to the thought of school closures or trying to drive our old, heavy car up the hill we live on!
Thank you so much Julie for sharing your gorgeous recipe, they do look cosy.
I’m really hoping that the forecasters are wrong because winter 2010 was bad enough without it getting any worse!!! They do find it difficult to get the weather correct for the next week though so perhaps (fingers crossed) they’ve got it all wrong!
Happy Monday,
Vivienne x
I’ve been doing just the same as you this week, Julie – using up some sock yarn to make fingerless mitts for Christmas. Mindless knitting is perfect for days when you just want to snuggle up in the warm and knit.
Thanks for sharing your recipe. I fancy making some of these for Monster, who has just lost one of the beautiful handknit mitts I made last year. Might have to sew them onto a string this time….even if it would mortify him :o)
xxx
beautiful!!!
thank you for this recipe!!
xxx Alessandra
Looking forward to having matching socks and wristwarmers. And maybe a scarf… Thanks for the pattern!
Simple and elegant and the picture made me smile when I first saw it on Flickr this morning. Thank you for the pattern. I have lots of sock yarn stashed but I am not a fast sock knitter.
I wonder if these are the same forcasters that promised us a “barbeque Summer” a couple of years ago?
Lovely mitts by the way, love the colours.
Lovely wristies, and thank you for sharing the pattern! I used to make little ones a bit similar and called them ‘gardening gauntlets’ – I shall have to dig out the pattern and whip a few up for this cold winter! Maggie.
What a great name ‘wristies’ – which also reminds me…I must dig mine out. Shop bought though – I think I may of mentioned I’m rubbish at knitting – no patience at all.
Nina x
They look lovely Julie! I wonder how they will look with striping sock yarn? Mr Locket gave me a lovely ball for our wedding anniversary and I haven’t decided what to do with it yet. xx
They’re wonderful, Julie! Thanks for sharing the instructions. I MIGHT actually be able to do these! I’m a perpetual beginner it seems. 😉
Brilliant! As always. I’ve been wondering what to do for some people for Christmas and I’m running out of time and have very little of that right now as is….. these are perfect!! 😀 THANK YOU!!
XXX000
So simple and beautiful. The key is in your wonderful eye for colour. May I use this recipe to teach double point and magic loop knitting at our Chilliwack Common Threads knitting circle? You can check us out on facebook if you want to know more about our shenanigans.
Beautiful colours as always Julie. I’ve never mastered the knack of being able to ‘ not look’ whilst knitting unfortunately but that wouldn’t stop me of course . I’m trying to get the boys Christmas cuddlies finished which isn’t easy with them being here most of the time lol.
I’ll second that cry of glee!
They’re gorgeous Julie 🙂 What is the yarn you’re using? I love the colours. I’m supposed to be knitting some Runrig mitts as Christmas presents but I’m not getting on very well … too many other distractions!
Thank you for the mention 🙂
I was just freating over my lack of Vanilla knitting this morning on the way out the door with the family. Now I need to cast these on and have a go at them. I love how your pair came out in the worster. I also hope that the winter is an level one for you. It has been high and low here in the US, 50s one day 80s the next. Always good to hear from you!!
Tara Wurster
There’s a couple of different yarns in the basket, most of them bought from Tangled yarn who have the most wonderful selection of hand-dyed sock yarns (my special favourite is Juno’s Buffy sock yarn and they’ve just had a new delivery in!…
http://www.tangled-yarn.co.uk/index.php?page=0&act=viewCat&catId=149)
Thanks for a beautiful pattern! You are so talented at making everything look so tempting!
Your wonderful photos always make me want to dive into your knitting, head first! Your wristies look gorgeous.
I was told about a snow forecast…? Just when we were getting webbed feet!
Keep cosy!
Xxxx
Ooh thanks Julie, I’m off to have a look …
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now that my xmas making is almost finished I might have to make myself a pair (or two) of those!!
My knees are forecasting a bad winter along with all the berries about. I’ve had to wear gloves indoors today too. 😦
tongiht there is a snow storm here in Alberta Canada..and we are expecting about a foot of snow..to add to the 3 feet we already have. So ty tyy for posting this simple pattern.I will most DEF be making a pair for me..:)
These look just the job. I am reading this while the boiler man is trying to mend my boiler. And I am cold.
Could do with some of these where I live at the moment, -3 this morning! Winter has well and truly arrived.
Brilliant, thank you, have sooooo much sock yarn left over and wondering what I could do with it. This is fantastic!
x
Thank you for this lovely pattern! I’m using it to knit some for my cousin, who chose some pretty Sirdar DK for her pair. I think I’ll be knitting lots of these over the coming weeks!
Hi Julie~ I thought I’d drown my sorrows (in knitting a cute wristie) for missing out on one of your sweet bunny creations. Can you please tell me what the name and colors of the yarns you used in the worsted green with blue trim wristie? Thank you.
I so enjoy your blog Julie and wish I had half your talent.
Wishing you and your family a Happy Christmas!
Cheri
Oh how lovely! Here in New England during the Colonial period we would have called them muffettees:-)
These are lovely – can you suggest a simple crochet how to sight so I can do the trim please? Thankyou
Yes I agree! Lovely, but I am trying to workout how to do the crochet trim with very little crochet experience. I am needing a little help!