How-Tuesday: Wrist Factor

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julieincharge

Story by Julie Schneider

Published on Nov 15, 2011 in Make

One of the best things about nippy weather is yarn, in my book. I am all about walking around swathed in cozy knit and crocheted stitches, from my handmade hatted head down to my lovingly knit socked toes. For this week’s How-Tuesday, rock star crafter, designer, TV host, and writer, Vickie Howell, has created a pattern for knitting your own fingerless gloves. Once you get the hang of it, you might find yourself knitting up a pair for everyone on your gift list this season.

I’m a huge fan of wrist warmers; they’re quick to knit, make great gifts (for guys and gals!), and keep your hands warm without being cumbersome to wear. After all, those pesky mitten tops could prevent us from clicking “Add to Cart” at our favorite Etsy shop. Oh no, that simply will not do!

My Wrist Factor version looks extra fancy, but aren’t difficult to make. They’re essentially just a rectangle (cinched in a bit with some basic ribbing), seamed up into a tube, leaving a slit for the thumb. The “razzle dazzle” of the project (which I walk you through in the video below) is the 8-row pattern stitch that employs twisted stitches and wee cables, while working the piece in 2-row stripes for a modern feel. Worked up in Sheep(ish) — my new yarn from Caron, a wool/acrylic blend — you’ll create a super soft, vibrant accessory that’s both washable and affordable (psst…you can make 2 pairs for about $8!).  Take the risk factor out of gift buying this year and knit up something everyone can use: a pair of cozy keepers for those keyboard tappers!

Sizes:
S/M (L/1X)

Finished Measurements:
Each wristlet measures approximately 11 (12)”/28 (30.5)cm long x 3 (4)”/7.5 (10)cm wide.

Materials:

Stitch.Rock.Love. Sheep(ish) Yarn from Caron (70% Acrylic/30% Wool; 3oz/85g, 167yds/153m) in:
#0009 Espresso(ish) (A): 1 ball
#0021 Lime(ish) (B): 1 ball

One pair size US 8 (5mm) needles or size needed to obtain gauge
Cable needle (cn)
Yarn needle

Gauge:
In 2×2 Rib, 24 stitches (sts) and 24 rows = 4″/10cm

Special Terms:K: Knit

P: Purl
K2tog: Knit 2 stitches together
Sl: Slip
RT: Right Twist—K2tog, do not sl off needle, k first st, then sl both sts off
needle
LT: Left Twist—Knit 2nd st through back loop, do not sl off needle, k first st, then sl both sts off needle.
2-st RPC: Right Purl Cross—Sl 1 st to cable needle (cn) and hold to back, k1, p1 from cn.
2-st LPC: Left Purl Cross—Sl 1 st to cn and hold to front, p1, k1 from cn

Directions:

This pattern makes 2 wristlets using Espresso(ish) yarn (color A), with 38 (50) sts.

2×2 Rib Row 1: With A, p2, *k2, p2; repeat from * across.
Row 2: With A, k2, *p2, k2; repeat from * across.
Rows 3–8: Repeat Rows 1 and 2 three times.

Begin Pattern
Row 9 (right side): With B, p2, *LT, p2; repeat from * across.
Row 10: With B, k2, *p2, k2; repeat from * to across.
Row 11: With A, p1, *2-st RPC, 2-st LPC; repeat from * to last st, p1.
Row 12: With A, k1, p1, k2, *p2, k2; repeat from * to last 2 sts, p1, k1.
Row 13: With B, p1, k1, *p2, RT; repeat from * to last 4 sts, p2, k1, p1.
Row 14: With B, k1, p1, *k2, p2; repeat from * to last 4 sts, k2, p1, k1.
Row 15: With A, p1, *2-st LPC, 2-st RPC; repeat from * to last st, p1.
Row 16: With A, k2, *p2, k2; repeat from * across.
Repeat Rows 9-16 until piece measures approximately 91⁄2 (101⁄2)”/24 (26.5)cm.

2×2 Rib with A, repeat Rows 1 and 2 three times. BO in Rib.

Finishing
Fold piece in half, with ribbing on top and bottom. Sew the wristlet seam leaving a 2″/5cm opening for thumb hole. Using yarn needle, weave in ends.

Download the pdf for this pattern here.

Thank you to Vickie Howell for sharing this project with us. Find Vickie and her Sheep(ish) yarn on her website, Caron,  Facebook, and Twitter. If you make your own wristlets, share a photo with us in the Etsy Labs Flickr group.

More Things to Make | Holidays on Etsy

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