Sunday, November 18, 2012

Beaded Knitted Wrist Warmers - Hand Warmers

It's been awhile since I have written.  Like everyone, I seem to have been busy doing whatever takes up my time.  I love to read the different blogs where they write every other day and attach lovely pictures and what not.  I wish my blog could be so popular!!

Anyway, the fall weather we have had here in Southern California has been warm and sunny.  We did have a little rain this week.  I fondly remember the beautiful snowy winters of long ago back in Washington.  It was always so quiet and peaceful when it snowed. But, after a long winter it got old quite fast.

Speaking of winter, here is what I currently am working on.  I originally found the pattern here.  They are knitted wrist warmers, hand warmers, fingerless gloves or whatever you wish to call them.  I used size 3 DPN and Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino yarn.





I tweeked and pattern a bit since I like to knit in the round and have a seamless product.  Here's the pattern that I came up with:

Size 3 DPN
54 Size 6 glass beads
1 skein Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino yarn

Abbreviations:
sl = slip 1 stitch
yrn = yarn over
psso = pass slipped stitch over (in this pattern you will be passing the slipped stitch over the 2 knitted stitches)

First you will need to string 45 glass beads onto your working yarn.  Keep the beads towards the bottom of your working yarn until you need them.  Cast on 45 stitches and distribute 15 stitches to each DPN.  You will be knitting in the round so make sure you join the stitches for the first row.

BEADED PATTERN ROWS
1:  *P2, sl1, k2, psso; repeat from * to end
2:  *P2, k1, yrn, k1; repeat from * to end
3:  *P2, k3; repeat from * to end
4:  *P2, k1, k1 with bead, k1; repeat from * to end

Do a total of 4 repeats of the above Beaded Pattern Rows for a total of 16 rows.
NOTE:  do not put any beads on row 4 of last repeat of pattern!




Then continue as follows:
ROW
1: *P2, k3; repeat from * to end

Continue repeating row 1 until desired length is reached.  Desired length will be to your thumb.  You will now make the opening for the thumb as follows:



 Thumb Opening:
- slip first purl stitch on working needle #1 to needle #3

Row 1:
- work p1, *k3, p2; repeat from * to 1 stitch before the end of needle
- p1 for the last stitch on needle #3

Row 2:
TURN work and work as follows:
- k1, *p3, k2; repeat to 1 stitch before the end of needle
- k1 for the last stitch on needle
- turn work 

Continue to work row 1 and row 2 until opening for thumb measures approximately 1 1/2" ending with row 1 so that you can join stitches together on right side of project.

After desired opening is reached, join stitches by knitting in the round again on the right side of the project.  (Remember to slip the last stitch on needle #3 back onto needle #1).  Then continue to work in the pattern established, p2, k3 for approximately 1" to 2" then do 12 rows of the beaded pattern stitch again:




BEADED PATTERN ROWS
1:  *P2, sl1, k2, psso; repeat from * to end
2:  *P2, k1, yrn, p1; repeat from * to end
3:  *P2, k3; repeat from * to end
4:  *P2, k1, k1 with bead, k1; repeat from * to end

After doing 3 repeats of the above (or 12 rows),  repeat row 1 of beaded pattern row.  Then bind off in stitch pattern.  Weave in yarn ends and enjoy the warmth of these lovely beaded wrist warmers.

Voila!  And here is the finished product!



I must leave you with a lovely picture of my cat Lilly.  Since this blog is called "Lilly My Cat" here is Lilly enjoying a cat nap.  She's a 15 pound Maine Coon kitty!

 


 I wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels to those who are traveling during this special holiday season.