Slip of the Wrist Hand Warmers in Valley Yarns Superwash - 812 - Downloadable PDF

Slip of the Wrist Hand Warmers – Pattern Summary

The Slip of the Wrist Hand Warmers is a knitted accessory pattern designed by Vickie Howell, published as pattern #812 and available as a downloadable PDF. The finished hand warmers measure 8 inches in circumference and 9 inches in length, making them a comfortable, wrist-covering accessory that leaves the fingers free for everyday tasks. The design is rated as beginner difficulty, making it an approachable project for newer knitters who want to explore colorwork and simple cable techniques in a small, satisfying format.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a pair of fingerless hand warmers — sometimes called mitts or wrist warmers — that cover the hand and wrist while leaving the fingers exposed. They feature a ribbed cuff at the bottom, a textured two-color body, and a shaped thumb gore that creates a proper thumb opening for a comfortable, anatomical fit. The result is a stylish, functional accessory well suited to cooler weather, layering, or transitional seasons.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for Valley Yarns Valley Superwash, a 100% Extra Fine Merino wool yarn with a yardage of 98 yards per 50-gram ball. This is a worsted weight yarn, giving the finished fabric a soft, warm, and durable character. Extra Fine Merino is prized for its exceptional softness against the skin, its natural elasticity, and its ability to hold stitch definition beautifully — all qualities that make it ideal for showcasing the cables and slipped-stitch colorwork in this design.

The colorwork uses two specific shades selected by Vickie Howell:

• Blue Mood (Color A) — 1 ball
• Daiquiri Ice (Color B) — 1 ball

Together, these two colors create a striking two-tone fabric with a woven, interlocking visual effect achieved through stranded and slipped-stitch techniques rather than complex colorwork floats.

Needles and Notions

• US size 8 (5.00mm) double pointed needles — used for the body of the hand warmer
• US size 7 (4.50mm) double pointed needles — used for the ribbed cuff
• A cable needle (cn) for working the cable stitches
• 2 stitch markers for tracking the thumb gore
• Waste yarn for holding thumb stitches
• A tapestry needle for finishing

Gauge is 15 stitches and 27 rounds = 4 inches in pattern stitch using the larger needles. Achieving correct gauge is important for hitting the finished measurements of 8 inches circumference and 9 inches length.

Techniques Used

Despite its beginner rating, this pattern introduces knitters to a satisfying combination of techniques that build foundational skills while producing a visually impressive result.

Worked in the Round

The hand warmers are knitted entirely in the round on double pointed needles (dpns), which eliminates seaming and creates a seamless, tubular fabric. Working in the round is a fundamental knitting technique that is especially well suited to small circumference projects like hand warmers, socks, and hats. The stitches are distributed evenly across the dpns and joined carefully to avoid twisting before the first round begins.

Cables

The body pattern incorporates simple two-stitch cables worked with a cable needle. Two cable variations are used:

• c2b (cable 2 back): Slip 1 stitch to the cable needle and hold to the back of the work, knit 1, then knit 1 from the cable needle — this creates a right-leaning twist.
• c2f (cable 2 front): Slip 1 stitch to the cable needle and hold to the front of the work, knit 1, then knit 1 from the cable needle