How to Knit Wrist Warmers | Easy Tutorial

I just love wrist warmers! Whether you are looking for some extra warmth this winter or would like to make a fashion statement, fingerless gloves are my latest obsession. I can’t have enough of them (fun fact: I think my mom has at least 20 pairs of wrist warmers in her German home that’s challenging to keep warm in the cold months). Keep on reading for my easy free pattern.

Why You Will Love Wrist Warmers

Here are just some of the reasons. These handy-dandy warmers

  • will keep your hands warm
  • will keep your wrists warm
  • extend sleeves that are too short
  • can be a fashion statement
  • make perfect presents (think stocking stuffers)
hands in wrist warmers holding tea cup

Why You Will Love This Great Pattern

My easy pattern is perfect since it is

  • a great way to use up leftover yarn
  • a great beginner project
  • quick and easy fingerless glove pattern 
  • a one size fits all (or most) with the stretchy rib stitch 
  • easy to vary in design or color

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to youYou can read my full disclosure.

What You Will Need

Luckily, you don’t need much to make a pair of wrist warmers. I recommend you have the following:

  • Yarn – I love anything that doesn’t scratch such as Merino, Alpaka, Mohair, Kashmir, or a soft blend, typically you only need 1 skein. Sock yarn or DK yarn is a great choice.
  • Needles – You’ll need 5 double-pointed needles (I prefer bamboo). Most likely, you’ll need 3.5 mm (US 4) or 3.75 mm (US 5). Check below if you don’t have 5 knitting needles or don’t wish to knit in rounds.
  • Scissors
  • Measuring tape or “knit check
supplies for wrist warmers: skein of yarn, knitting needles, scissors, and knit check

Skills You Should Have

Even though wrist warmers are great for beginners, I am assuming that you know how to

  • cast on stitches
  • do stockinette stitch
  • do purl stitches
  • cast off

If you need more help, you can check out my simple knitting tutorial!

Knitting Gauge

This pattern is very simple and stretchy but I am giving you a gauge just so you have some point of reference:

  • 9 stitches and 22 rows make a 2″ by 2″ square in the rib pattern

Options and variations

Here are some ideas on how to personalized your fingerless mitts:

  • You can use other stitch patterns
  • Make them longer to turn them into arm warmers
  • You can knit the hand warmers as a square in back-and-forth rows. You will then create a side seam with a 2 inch opening for the thumb. This is perfect if you only have a circular needle.
  • If you don’t want or need the thumb opening, you can shorten the length of the wrist warmers by about 2.5 inches
  • You can vary the number of stitches; just know that with my rib pattern you need a multiplier of 6
  • You can also use another needle size, knowing that that might change your gauge and cause you to adjust this pattern accordingly 
  • Add buttons, embroidery, or crochet borders to make your wrist warmers even more unique!

How To Care For Them

Unless you are using acrylic yarn, I recommend handwashing your wrist warmers in lukewarm water, gently wringing out excess water, and laying them flat to dry. 

How To Knit Your Wrist Warmers

1. Cast on stitches

Cast on 36 stitches.

two knitting needles with 36 stitches cast on

2. Knit the first row

Now you will knit 3, purl 3, and repeat this until the end of the row.

3. Knit in rounds

Make sure to keep the needles and your first row flat (not twisted), spread the stitches evenly over four needles. In this case, 9 stitches on each needle. Continue knitting this rib pattern until your work measures 5 inches. 

five knitting needles with 36 stitches to create a round

4. Create the thumbhole

To create the thumbhole, you will now knit back-and-forth instead of in rounds. Turn your work at the end of each row and knit as usual. Continue this for about 2 inches or until the thumb hole comfortably fits. Once the thumbhole is created, return to knitting in rounds by joining the work again.

knitting work with fingers showing the beginning of the thumbhole
wrist warmer with ruler showing the length of the thumb hole

5. Finish the wrist warmer

Once you have reached the desired length, cast off all the stitches with a stretchy bind. Weave in the ends

6. Knit the right mitten

To finish the whole thing, now knit the other hand warmer as a mirror image to the first one.

2 wrist warmers with thumbholes

More Easy Knitting Projects You Might Like

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How To Knit Wrist Warmers
hands in wrist warmers holding tea cup
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How To Knit Wrist Warmers

You will love this easy, one-size-fits-most pattern for a pair of cozy wrist warmers.
Total Time 5 hours
Servings 1 pair
Cost $8

Equipment

  • 5 double pointed knitting needles US size 4-5
  • 1 pair of scissors
  • 1 measuring tape

Ingredients

  • 1 skein sock yarn or DK yarn

Instructions

  • Cast on 36 stitches. Divide them evenly on 4 knitting needles (9 each). Start knitting in rounds in this pattern: 3 knit, 3 purl, repeat.
  • Knit until wrist warmer measures 5".
  • To create the thumb hole, knit in back-and-forth rows until your opening measures 2".
  • Joining the needles again, knit in rounds for another 2". Cast off stitches loosely and weave in the ends.
  • Knit the second wrist warmer.

Notes

  • you can make these wrist warmers as long as you like
  • you can change the pattern and colors as you like
  • you can make the wrist warmers shorter and eliminate the thumb hole
  • you can also knit a rectangle, sew the long sides together except for 2″ for the thumb

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