Crazy Knitting Girls

Phoenix Handwarmers

These are one of three patterns I know of for that inevitable single skein of Muench Touch Me. The other two are Velvet Oblivion and a knitted flower from some book I can’t remember. Although, as I look back on it, a knitted flower hardly counts. Still, it’s technically a pattern.

My point is, there are very few patterns that can do something vaguely with the 61 yards of velvety rayon goodness that is Touch Me. Well, here is a pattern that is useful in a roundabout way (it protects your pulse points in case they are attacked by someone with a small weapon that could be deflected by a tightly knit chenille), pretty (at least, I hope you think so), and quick to knit (I completed my pair in a day).

The Recipe:
Muench Touch Me [72% Viscose/Microfibre, 28% Wool 61yd per 50g skein];
color: 3620 [Velvet Red]; 1 skein
Size US 6/4.00 mm double pointed needles OR two short circular needles OR one 29″ or longer circular needle
Yarn Needle

Note: The stitch pattern is originally from a stitch dictionary. I modified it for work in the round, renamed it, and fiddled with it to make it fit. So there.
Flame Pattern
1st row: P1, K2, P2, K2tog, yo, K1, YO, sl1, K1, P2, K2
2st row: P1, K2, P2, K5, P2, K2
3st row: P1, K2, P2, K1, yo, K3, yo, K1, P2, K2
4st row: P1, K2, P2, K7, P2, K2
5st row: P1, K2, P2, yarn back, sl 1, K1, psso, yo, sl1, K2tof, psso, yo, K2tog, P2, K2
6st row: P1, K2, P2, K5, P2, K2
7st row: P1, T3F, P1, K1, yo, K3, yo, K1, P1, T3B
8st row: P1, P1, K2, P1, K7, P1, K2, P1
9st row: P2, T3F, s1, K1, psso, yo, sl1, k2tog, psso, yo, K2tog, T3B, P1
10st row: P3, K9, P2
11st row: P3, T3F, P3, T3B, P2
12st row: P1, [P3, K2] twice, K3
13st row: P4, T3F, P1, T3B, P2
14st row: P5, K2, P1, K2, P4
15st row: P5, T5R*, P4
16st row: P to end
*slip next s stitches on to cable needle and hold at back or work, knit next 2 stitches from left handneedle, then p1, k2 from cable needle

Left Glove:

Cast on 28 stitches. Join to work in the round.

Note: I would highly recommend that you work this pattern on two circular or with the magic loop method, because that allows you to have half the stitches on each side. That makes it easier. This pattern will refer to the “first half of stitches” (on which the main pattern will be worked), and the “second half of stitches”, where the rib and thumb hole will be worked.

Work in 2X2 ribbing for three rounds.

Round 1: Start the Flame Pattern, Row 1 in the first half of the stitches. One second half of stitches (the second half starts with P2), BO 4 and continue in rib as established to end of round.
Round 2: Continue Flame Pattern on first half of stitches. On second half, cast on 4 stitches over the bound-off hole and continue rib as established to end of round.
Rounds 3-16: Continue Flame Pattern on first half of glove, and 2X2 ribbing as established on the second half of the glove.
After the whole Flame Pattern has been worked, work 3 more rounds of 2X2 ribbing. BO.

Right Glove:
Work the same as Left glove, except on the thumb hole BO round. Instead of BO the first four stitches in the second half of the round, BO the last four stitches. Next row, CO 4 stitches over the BO stitches and continue as written.

Finishing:
Weave in ends. This is a pain. It is good to try knotting the ends to the inside of the glove, or else they will come out over and over again.