How to Crochet Ribbed Hand Warmers with Shaped Fingers

Materials & tools you'll need

Step 1 — Start the ribbed cuff

Chain approximately 45 stitches to form the foundation for a medium-sized hand warmer, then work a round of double crochet around the chain to build the base. To start the ribbed texture, work a round of front post double crochet, followed by a round of back post double crochet, alternating between the two for a total of about 5 rounds. Alternating front and back post stitches this way raises and recesses alternating columns of stitches, giving the fabric its distinctive ribbed, cable-knit-like appearance.

Step 2 — Close off the cuff

Once you've worked your desired number of ribbed rounds, finish the cuff with a round of single crochet worked all the way around the circumference. Join each round with a slip stitch, starting every round with a chain-3 and ending with a slip stitch into the chain-3 from the previous round to keep your rounds even. Secure off the yarn and weave in the ends carefully so the cuff keeps a neat, finished look.

Step 3 — Shape the thumb hole

Locate the seam where you left an opening for the thumb hole. Pull up a loop there and chain one stitch to establish your starting point for this section. Work single crochet around the thumb hole for rounds 2 through 4, keeping the stitches snug so the thumb hole fits comfortably and doesn't gape once the hand warmer is worn.

Step 4 — Shape and close the fingers

For round 4 of each finger, work the following decrease sequence around: single crochet, sc2tog, single crochet, sc2tog, single crochet, single crochet, sc2tog, single crochet, sc2tog, single crochet. This decreasing pattern tapers the fabric to shape the top of the finger. After completing the round, trim the yarn and pull the tail through the last stitch, drawing it tight to close the fingertip securely. Repeat this shaping process for each remaining finger, adjusting the decrease pattern slightly as needed for narrower fingers, then join all the fingers to the body of the hand warmer with single crochet, secure off the yarn, and weave in any remaining ends.

Frequently asked questions

What materials do I need to crochet ribbed hand warmers?
You'll need a crochet hook sized to your chosen yarn — a smaller hook gives a tighter stitch, a larger hook a looser one — soft, warm yarn such as an acrylic-wool blend, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

Why use both front post and back post double crochet for the ribbed texture?
Alternating a round of front post double crochet with a round of back post double crochet creates raised and recessed columns of stitches, which produces the ribbed, cable-knit-like texture that gives these hand warmers their name.

How do I close the cuff on the hand warmers?
Finish the ribbed cuff with a round of single crochet worked all the way around the circumference. Join each round with a slip stitch, starting every round with a chain-3 and ending with a slip stitch into that chain-3 from the previous round.

How are the fingers shaped and closed on these hand warmers?
Each finger is worked in single crochet for a few rounds for a snug fit, then shaped using a decrease round — repeating single crochet and sc2tog stitches around — to taper the top. After the final decrease round, the tail is pulled through the last stitch and drawn tight to close the fingertip neatly.

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