Designed by
  Judith Durant
  

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Alpaca Warmers
These warmers are knitted from lace-weight yarn and offer just enough warmth for a drafty old house. Unlike most warmers, these have finger holes, so they stay in place while allowing for complete freedom of finger movement. The lovely lace pattern makes them appropriate for a winter bride.
MEASUREMENTS
Approximately 8" (20 cm) circumference
YARN

Misti International Misti Alpaca Lace, 100% baby alpaca, 1.75 oz
(50 g)/437 yds (400 m), NT100 Natural
NEEDLES
Set of five US 0 (2 mm) double-point needles or size you need to obtain correct gauge
GAUGE
20 stitches = 2" (5 cm) in pattern
OTHER SUPPLIES
Stitch markers, tapestry needle
ABBREVIATIONS
psso pass slipped stitch over ssk slip 1, slip 1, knit 2 slipped stitches together yo yarn over
NOTES
One skein will make two pairs of warmers
Stitch Pattern
LACE
  • Rounds 1, 3, 5, and 7: Knit.
  • Round 2: K1, *yo, ssk, K1, K2tog, yo, K1; repeat from *.
  • Round 4: K1, *yo, K1, (slip 1, K2tog, psso), K1, yo, K1; repeat from *.
  • Round 6: K1, *K2tog, yo, K1, yo, ssk, K1; repeat from *.
  • Round 8: K2tog, *K1, yo, K1, yo, K1, (slip 1, K2tog, psso); repeat from * to last 5 sts, K1, yo, K1, yo, K1, ssk.
  • Note: On Round 8, slip first stitch from needle 2 to needle 3 to work the ssk.
    • Knitting the Left Warmer
    Holding two needles together, cast on 72 stitches. Place 24 stitches on each of three needles and join into a round. Place marker. Work K2, P2 rib for 1.5" (3 cm), increasing 1 stitch on the last round. You now have 25 stitches on needle 1 and 24 stitches each on needles 2 and 3.
    Beginning the Lace Pattern
  • Next Round: Knit, placing a marker after stitch 37 to mark side; at 4 stitches from end of needle 3, place marker for thumb gusset, K1, place marker for thumb gusset, K3.
  • Continue working Lace pattern beginning with Round 2 over first 37 stitches for back of warmer and stockinette stitch over remaining 36 stitches for the palm until you have worked Rounds 1 – 8 of Lace pattern five times total and at the same time increase 1 stitch after the first and before the second thumb gusset markers on every 4 rounds beginning with Round 4. You now have 93 stitches.
    		•

    Isolating the Thumb Gusset

  • Work Round 1 of Lace pattern on back stitches and knit palm stitches to first thumb gusset. Place 21 thumb gusset stitches on string to hold. Cast on 1 stitch, join and knit last 3 stitches from needle 3. You again have 73 stitches.
  • Continue working patterns as established beginning with Round 2 until you have worked Rounds 1–8 of Lace pattern two more times. Knit 1 round.
  • Work Round 2 of Lace pattern over 25 stitches on needle 1 and first 3 stitches on needle 2; place remaining 9 back stitches and first 9 palm stitches on string to hold for Little Finger. On Needle 2, cast on 6 stitches, rejoin and knit to end of round. You now have 61 stitches: 25 on needle 1, 12 on needle 2, and 24 on needle 3.
  • Continue in patterns as established until you have completed Rounds 1–8 of Lace pattern one more time, working the first 3 stitches on needle 2 as follows:
  • Round 4: Yo, K1, ssk.
  • Round 6: K2tog, yo, K1.
  • Round 8: K1, yo, K1.
  • Note: On Round 8, work last 5 stitches on needle 1 as K1, yo, K1, yo, K1, ssk.
  • Discontinue Lace pattern. Knit one round.

    		•
    Knitting the Index Finger
  • Knit 12 back stitches, place remaining 16 back stitches and first 16 palm stitches on string to hold. Cast on 6 stitches on new needle, rejoin and knit remaining 11 stitches. You now have 29 stitches. Knit one round, decreasing 1 stitch. Work 2 rounds of K1, P1 rib, bind off loosely in rib.
    		•
    Knitting the Middle Finger
  • Place 8 palm stitches on needle, join new yarn and knit these stitches. With a new needle, pick up and knit the 6 stitches cast on for Index Finger (see No Holes). Place 8 back stitches on needle and knit, cast on 6 stitches. Join and knit one round. Work 2 rounds of K1, P1 rib, bind off loosely in rib.
    		•
    Knitting the Ring Finger
  • Place remaining 22 stitches on two needles. With a new needle, pick up and knit the 6 stitches cast on for Middle Finger (see No Holes). Join and knit one round. Work 2 rounds of K1, P1 rib, bind off loosely in rib.
    		•
    Knitting the Little Finger
  • Place 18 held stitches on two needles. With a new needle, pick up and knit the 6 stitches cast on for Ring Finger (see No Holes). Join and knit one round. Work 2 rounds of K1, P1 rib, bind off loosely in rib.
    		•
    Knitting the Thumb
  • Place 21 Thumb Gusset stitches on two needles. With new needle, pick up and knit 9 stitches into the space at the inside of the thumb. Knit one round. Work 2 rounds of K1, P1 rib, bind off loosely in rib.
    		•
    Beginning the Lace Pattern
  • Next Round: K3, place marker for thumb gusset, K1, place marker for thumb gusset, K32 and mark side.
  • Continue as for Left Warmer until you have 93 stitches and are ready to work the thumb gusset.
    		•
    Isolating the Thumb Gusset
  • Knit 3 and place 21 thumb gusset stitches on string to hold. Cast on 1 stitch, join and continue round in patterns as established. You again have 73 stitches.
  • Continue working patterns as established beginning with Round 2 until you have worked Rounds 1–8 of Lace pattern two more times. Knit 1 round.
  • Work in patterns to 9 stitches before side marker. Place 9 palm stitches and 9 back stitches on string to hold for Little Finger. Cast on 6 stitches, rejoin and work in pattern to end of round.
  • Continue as for Left Warmer, knitting the Ring Finger, the Middle Finger, and then the Index Finger, using the same number of stitches specified for Left Warmer for each finger. Knit the Little Finger and Thumb as for Left Warmer.
    		•
    Finishing
    Weave in all ends, using the tails to close up any holes at the base of the fingers that may have developed despite your best efforts.
    No Holes
    To prevent holes from forming at the base of thumbs and fingers in mittens and gloves, pick up an extra stitch on each side of the stitches you need to pick up for the thumb or finger. When you work the next round, knit the first extra stitch together with the one before it and the second extra stitch together with the stitch after it.