Cosy Handwarmers...

Now autumn and the cooler weather has definitely arrived and is making itself felt, I have found out my warm and cosy outer clothing.  I love autumn, the rapidly changing colours of leaves, the last flourish of flowers and the nights drawing in - I don't however like feeling cold, particularly my hands and feet.  When I'm outside, I always have on a pair of comfy and practical wrist or hand warmers. 

These fingerless gauntlets are great as they are super cosy and warm yet amazingly practical as your fingers are not covered so are free to hold the steering wheel, school bags, dog leads, use your mobile, etc.  With a slit for your thumb, they fit securely and snugly to keep you toasty.  As someone who has dexterity and grip issues, I've found that simply keepng your wrists and the blood flow through this area warm, I don't suffer with the numbing sensation that being cold brings.  In theory this reduces the amount of times I drop things, knock things over and breakages but remains to be proven in practise.  Even my 5 year old calls me butter fingers at least once a day...

Continuing on from the from the two free hat patterns, I am spreading a little more crochet love and  have designed two super simple wrist warmer patterns - perfect for beginners and experts alike.  There is plenty of scope for customising your handhuggers so let your imagination and creativity loose.  I always tend to make my handhuggers a little longer through the wrist section so as to cover a bit more wrist and this is so easy to do. 

A simple pattern that gives instant gratification as they are a quick project with a simple pattern .  Raid your yarn stash as they only use a small quantity of double knitting yarn.  Lightweight and fairly stretchy they just feel so toasty - you can whip up a couple of sets.  In fact I always have a pair in the 'glove' compartment (haha!) for those days when I forget to pick up a set or the weather changes while you're out...

Baby version

In a multi size pattern, they're perfect for adults and even more practical for babies and children.  I never was very good at steering tiny fingers into gloves so find that these are perfect.  The little thumbhole means they stay on nice and securely and for those independent little ones, they can put them on themselves.

Enjoy the pattern and feedback gratefully received...

Handhugger pattern...

Using double knitting yarn and a 5mm hook – gauge is really not that important.

UK crochet terms used

Make 2

Ch 20 (30, 40)

Row 1: dc in 2nd chain from hook, *ch 1, sk next st, dc in next ch*, rep to end, turn

Row 2:  ch 1, dc in same st, * dc in ch-1 sp, sk next st, ch 1*, rep to last ch-1 sp, dc in sp, dc in last st, turn

Row 3: ch1, dc in same st, *ch 1, sk next st, dc in next st*, rep to end, turn

Continue and repeat rows 2 and 3 until work measures 5.5, 7, 9 cm, ending with a WS row.

Thumbhole row (RS): ch 1, dc in same st, pattern next 8 (9, 11 ) sts, ch 4 (5, 7), continue in pattern to end, turn.

 

 

 

 

 

Next row (WS): ch 1, dc in same st, patt to thumbhole and resume pattern across thumbhole chains and on to end, turn

 

Continue and repeat rows 2 and 3 as before until work measures the same as first half (up to thumbhole), ending with a WS row. DO NOT FASTEN OFF.

Seaming/Joining row:  Turn, ch 1, bring foundation row of mitt up behind and slip stitch both edges together working through both thicknesses.  Take care to match stitches and chain-1 spaces as you work along for a super neat finish.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Written pattern copyright Aimie Bennett 2012. Please do not reprint or repost this pattern, but please feel free to link to this page to share this pattern with others.

Please can I ask that if you use this pattern to make hats for sale, then credit the original pattern design to FuzzyFingers.  Many thanks and happy hooking!!

Like what you see but not crafty?  I will gladly hook up a set for you.  Get in touch via Facebook or email fuzzyfingers@btinternet.com.

Watch this space for another free pattern coming soon...

Hats off to summer...

Well it's finally happened - autumn is officially here.  It's gradually getting darker earlier, temperatures are dropping and the rain has returned, along with the wind.  The boots are dusted off, polished up and back on my feet again.  I tried to resist packing the summer shoes and sandals back in the wardrobe for as long as possible almost as though I'm clinging on and hoping for some warmth and sunshine.  I don't know why I try to avoid doing this and resorting back to socks with my footwear - I have shockingly bad circulation which means I permanently have sub zero even on a hot day!  I do however draw the line at wearing flip flops in the rain especially when we keep being deluged with monsOon conditions.  What are people thinking...?

Glamour Puss hat in teal
 

It's not quite cool enough for hats just yet despite the fact I'm itching to don one of my favourites and help combat the windswept hair look.  I think I need to keep something in reserve especially after the last two winters we've had in the UK.

Denim blue with band detail

I have been busy making up some more hats to stock my stall with at a forthcoming craft fair later this month.  I have added different colours to my range of Newsboy style hats.  These are super comfortable and warm, with a brim and either button or flower detail. 

Oatmeal Newsboy

At just £10 these are an absolute must for the colder months and being hand crafted, they offer a unique-ness you don't get on the high street.  Email fuzzyfingers@btinternet.com or message me through facebook - also check out my other hats in the photo gallery.  I am happy to customise colours, finishing touches, etc to suit and other commissions are gladly undertaken.

Classic black with subtle twist...

I will however be getting out the handwarmers (and making more - after all it would be rude not to plus a girl needs to be colour coordinated...).  With my shockingly poor circulation, I find my hands are permanently cold and also need a minimum of 30 minutes defrosting after the walk to school.  I tend to make them a touch longer for me as I have realised if I keep my wrists good and toasty too, its better for me and keeps droppages/breakages to a more permissable level.  No one warned me that MS was the disease that just keeps on giving....

 

 

If you like what you see, get in touch....