Oh look! I know how to knit!

So this is the first thing I've knit without a real pattern. Well, I got the cable pattern from Heather Gibbs but everything else was my own genius. And because I like to share (and prove to the world that I'm good at things), here is what I have deciphered from my chicken scratch of notes taken whilst knitting.

Ariel’s Arm Warmers

by Dara Kay Merz

Skill Level: Easy-Moderate-ish.

Size: Medium. They do give a bit, so could fit bigger forearms if needed. Or you can add/subtract stitches in the mossing part to make them fit better. Your call.

What you need

Needles – set of 4 US8 (5mm) and one cable needle of appropriate size.

Yarn – I used a worsted weight wool, but use whatever you find comfortable.

You’ll also need something to hold stitches for the thumb; I usually use a bobby pin because I typically have one handy (in my hair). But a safety pin, paper clip, or an actual stitch holder would work too.

Vocab Lesson

Moss stitch (M) = alternate (K1, P1) then on next row (P1, K1), so the stitches are always opposite what is below. Get it?

Right Cross (RC)= put 3 stitches on cable needle and put behind, K3, K3 from cable needle, K3

Left Cross (LC)= K3, put 3 stitches on cable needle and put in front, K3, K3 from cable needle.

How to do it

Cast on 50 stitches

Cuff – K2, P2 around for 8 rows

Base 1-4 Moss (K1, P1) x 15, K3, P2, K9, P2, K3, Moss x 16

(Distribute first section of moss stitches on one needle, cable pattern on the second and remaining moss stitches on the third.)

Standard Pattern

1,2 Moss 15, K3, P2, K9, P2, K3, Moss x 16

3 Moss 15, K3, P2, RC, K3, P2, K3, Moss 16

4 K2tog, Moss 13, K3, P2, K9, P2, K3, Moss 14, K2tog

5, 6 Moss 14, K3, P2, K9, P2, K3, Moss 15

7 Moss 14, K3, P2, K3, LC, P2, K3, Moss 15

8 K2tog, Moss 12, K3, P2, K9, P2, K3, Moss 13, K2tog

Repeat 1-8 until only 20 Moss stitches left, then continue pattern without the decreasing until the 8^th set. If you want shorter arm warmers, do less sets, longer – more.

Right Arm

Begin increasing on the last needle on row 1, but continue the regular pattern for the other 2/3.

1 M2, KBKF, M1, KBKF, Moss to end (12 stitches on this needle),
2 M2, KBKF, M3, KBKF, Moss to end (14 stitches on this needle)

3 M2, KBKF, M5, KBKF, Moss to end (16 stitches on this needle)

4 M2, KBKF, M7, KBKF, Moss to end (18 stitches on this needle)

5 M2, KBKF, M9, KBKF, Moss to end (20 stitches on this needle)

6 M2, K1, put next 10 stitches on pin or clip, M7

7-8 M10

Left Arm

Begin increasing on the first needle on row 1, but continue the regular pattern for the other 2/3.

1 M5, KBKF, M1, KBKF, M2 to end (12 stitches on this needle),
2 M5, KBKF, M3, KBKF, M2 to end (14 stitches on this needle)

3 M5, KBKF, M5, KBKF, M2 to end (16 stitches on this needle)

4 M5, KBKF, M7, KBKF, M2 to end (18 stitches on this needle)

5 M5, KBKF, M9, KBKF, M2 to end (20 stitches on this needle)

6 M5, K1, put next 10 stitches on pin or clip, M4

7-8 M10

Finish as followed:

1 M10, K3, P2, K9, P2, K3, M10

2 M10 K3, P2, K9, P2, K3, M10

3-7 K2, P2 around

8 Bind off, cut yarn (leaving a bit of a tail), weave in ends (and any stragglers you’ve left behind).

Thumb

Using 3 needles, distribute 4 stitches on each needle, picking up 2 stitches from the main hand piece on the last needle.

K2, P2 around for 8 rows, bind, cut, weave, wear!

Congratulations! You have successfully completed a pair of cozy cute arm warmers! Enjoy!

PS: Please let me know if there are any errors with this pattern! If anything sounds like gibberish or just doesn’t make any sense, let me know and see if I can clear it up. But I would also like to hear success stories!

Thank you!

Find me on Ravelry!

Or email me here: dara.kay.merz@gmail.com