Have you ever heard the expression "fits like a glove"? Have you ever tried to follow a pattern of making gloves or mittens and ended up getting something that didn't suit any of the people you know? The size of a crochet work depends on many things: the type of wool and crochet you use and how you use it.
This article explains the basic shape and workmanship of these hand warmers, but also tells you how to make the necessary corrections so that they are the right size for the hands that will wear them, no matter what yarn or crochet you use. You can use a similar approach to adjust the shape of virtually any type of glove, mitten, hand warmer, or slipper.
Click on the images to enlarge.
Steps
Step 1. Learn to single crochet and how to increase and decrease while crocheting
If you are a bit rusty with crochet or if you are a beginner, perhaps before you get to work on hand warmers, you could do a few other easier projects (like Crochet Grandma's Panels).
It will help you understand working in the round and how to hold a square piece of crochet fabric when you work the rows back and forth
Step 2. Choose a yarn that you think works well for hand warmers
The thicker the yarn, the thicker the hand warmers will also be. This will make them warmer, but it will also hinder movement.
Step 3. Make a sample piece
Knit a few chain stitches (about 5cm should be enough) and double crochet two or three rows backwards. Count how many points there are for each centimeter. If you make two or three lines, you can also measure the points of one line.
You can do these hand-to-nose warmers by trying them on and increasing as needed, or you can measure, however you like
Step 4. Learn to count stitches, both on the side of the fabric and along the edge
You will need to be able to match one hand to the other, and it's easier if you can count the dots and lines just by looking at them, rather than trying to count them as you work.
Step 5. Decide if you want to make hand warmers that reach up to the arm or wrist
You can start at the elbow, wrist, or anywhere between the two.
Step 6. Write down what you do as you do it
You will measure your first glove as you do this, but you will need to know how many rows you have done, and how much you have grown in each row for the first hand. Also write down how many lines there are before and after the thumb opening. You will need this information to make the second hand the same as the first.
Step 7. Make the fist
You will make the fist by working straight back and forth, making a rectangular piece that will wrap around the fist.
Step 8. Make a few chain stitches depending on how wide you want the fist
Step 9. Chain three more (one chain to turn) and single crochet back on the row, starting with the third chain stitch from the hook
The length of this line will determine the length of the fist, so hold or measure it now and add or subtract stitches before continuing.
Step 10. Work single crochet back and forth along the starting row
- Only work the fabric in reverse. This will give the rows a ribbed look when you turn the piece.
- Chain to turn at the end of each row.
- Work the same number of stitches in each row. If you started with a chain of eight (plus three to get to the first single crochet), make sure you always make eight stitches in all subsequent rows. If your piece is not rectangular, count the stitches in each row and be sure to chain a chain to turn.
Step 11. Make enough ribbed lines to wrap it around the wrist of the wearer
You can measure your wrist (or arm) and divide by the height of the rows to find the number of rows, or you can work until you have the necessary length.
Step 12. Join the edges of this strip with the starting part
Work in slip stitch or single crochet to join the two ends.
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Image The finished punch. Use the short part as the "bottom". Knit slip from bottom to top. You may need to add or drop a row of single crochets to bring the stripe in this direction.
- Measure or test the piece one more time at this point. Remember that, just as the wrist must fit the person who will wear it, the fist must also be right for the large part of the hand of the person to whom the hand warmers are intended, so do not make them too tight. Try them if possible.
Step 13. Turn the piece to the side and start working on the side of the strip you just made
Work single crochet around the edge. You should make enough stitches as many as there are rows of the wide part of the hand. A row can be either the "top" or the "bottom" of the ribs, and your stitches will likely end up in the middle loops.
Step 14. Try on the piece or measure it again and increase or decrease the number of stitches if needed
If you have arm or wrist measurements, you can do the calculation to get the right number of stitches for a round. Always use the same unit of measurement to measure wrists and shirts.
- mesh = mesh per cm x wrist measurement in cm
- You can also increase or decrease a little in the following rows if the first row is not tight enough to add the palm part.
- Usually, if you have the same number of rows in the fist part as there are stitches in the first row, then it should be fine.
Step 15. Work single crochet over and over until you have the desired length
Continue and merge each round.
Step 16. Gradually rise and fall as needed. Lower evenly if you are working from the elbow to the wrist
Increase as you work from the wrist towards the thumb.
- You can increase and decrease by measuring or by nose.
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Image It rises right at the base of the thumb. The free thread is used to orient the work. When increasing for the thumb, make all the stitches on the side of the glove near where the thumb will be. Add one to four stitches per row as needed. It will help you to use the free thread as the base of the thumb or to place the stitch markers.
- If you want to do specific hand warmers for the right and left hand, increase before the line or area of the thumb for one hand and after the line or area for the other hand. This adds extra stitches (and therefore extra space) to the base of the thumb, just where needed and gives the back of the glove a neat look, without the uneven lines that will be produced by the increases.
Step 17. Make a parting at the base of the thumb
Try the hand warmers again and when the tube of stitches reaches the membrane between thumb and forefinger or a comfortable distance above it, pass the thread through it. Decide where you would like to attach the connective piece on each side, and mark the links. (See How to Mark Connection Points.)
Step 18. Work up to the first stitch you marked
When you reach it, stop and chain across the membrane between your thumb and forefinger. Work slip stitch over the marked stitch on the other side.
Step 19. Try on the glove again and add or remove stitches if it feels too tight or too loose
Step 20. From here, continue to knit single crochet around the fingers only, but only around the finger openings
Work on the chain you just made instead of going around the whole thumb. The fingers are quite straight, so you won't need to raise or lower much here.
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Image Then add the thumb tube. You can add a thumb tube later separately if you want. Add a new thread and work around the opening.
Step 21. Optional for fingerless hand warmers:
creates an opening for the little finger. This is very similar to the opening you made for the thumb. It allows the finger tube to extend longer leaving the little finger out, to move separately. It might be what you want if you're making fingerless hand warmers for playing an instrument, typing on the computer, crocheting, or doing some other fine work.
- Try on the glove to open the little finger. The thumb is not on the same plane as the other fingers, so it helps to have the thumb in its opening to make the opening for the little finger in the right position.
- Skip this step if you are working with closed knobs.
Step 22. Optional for hand warmers with open fingers, stop working in the tube just below the knuckles
Work a few more lines back and forth on the back of the hand to keep the hand warm while the fingers are free to move.
Advice
- If you're not sure, make the hand warmers a little tight. The crocheted fabric gives way.
- To make closed mittens, continue to knit low tube crochet up to the top of the fingers, lowering towards the end, especially on the little finger side.
