This hand-warmer, sometimes known as a hand muffler or simply just a muff, is designed to be worn on cold days when you also need easy access to your hands for things like fingerprint ID or to touch a screen that doesn't work with thick gloves. You can pair it with your gloves for extra warmth or a small reusable heat pack/ hot water bottle.
This pattern is double thickness, fully lined and constructed in the round. It's can be knit with any yarn that knits up to gauge, though I recommend a non-scratchy wool (as plastic will make you sweat and cotton is cold) and something approximately aran weight (as an airier knit will let in too much cold).
The sample is knit with two strands held together: a 4 ply and a DK. I used a wool/alpaca blend from Yarnoncone held with James C Brett Shhh. Ironically I think these yarns are both labelled incorrectly. The Brett is much too thin to be DK and the alpaca, although advertised as 4ply, is definitely more like a DK. That goes to show you never really know what you're getting when you order online.
This item was another gift for my mum. Her Raynaud's is particularly bad in the winter and I need to make sure she always has an extra layer. This has been a great addition for our walks to town. I previously made her these mittens which were also a hit.
I knit on 5mm short circular needles. You can use long DPNs or 40cm circulars (or a longer cable if you know magic loop).
This is a great pattern for scraps as it used less that 100g in total. Mix and matching the yarn for the rib and stocking section can use even small quantities or yarn. The second half of the knitting will be on the inside so any colours can be used there and they will never see the light of day.
Gauge: 16 sts to 4 inches
You will need:
70g of yarn total (split in any combination that meets gauge)
5mm 40cm circular needles
Tapestry needle
Stitch marker
Abbreviations:
st(s) - stitch(es)
R - round
k - knit
p - purl
kfb - knit front back
ssk - slip slip knit
*Pattern starts here*
Cast on 52 sts. Join in the round and place stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round.
Outside:
R1-R6: [k2, p2] to end
R7: k1, [kfb, k3] to end
Knit all stitches for 38 rows. You can extent this if you need. To tell if you need to add extra rows, test the length. (Remember you still have the length of the rib to go. This is not the final length.) Place the cast on edge at your wrist. Knit until no fingers stick out the working end.
R1: k1, [ssk, k3] to end
R2-R7: [k2, p2] to end
R8: purl all stitches (This marks where the muff will be folded in half.)
Inside:
R9-R14: [k2,p2] to end
Knit all stitches for 38 rows. If you knit more rows in the last section, match that number.
R1-R6: [k2, p2] to end.
Cast off leaving a long length of yarn.
You will have something that looks like this:
You will now seam the cast on and cast off edge together. Make sure wrong sides are facing. (That means that the purl sides of the stocking stitch sections are touching.) Use a whip stitch but make sure that there is still stretch in the material. You can use the rib as an indicator to line up the edges correctly.
One end should have the seam and the other should have a round of purl bumps. Make sure the first section you knit is the part on the outside as the extra increases are there to limit any wrinkling.
*Pattern ends here*
If you make this please tag me on Instagram @frednamakes and use the hashtag #DoubleHandWarmerMuff
🧡✌