Embroidered Armwarmers

Cute armwarmers in extra soft yarn with some folk-style embroidery. I found this embroidery technique in “Needle Lace Techniques and Inspiration” by Jill Nordfors Clark. It’s a beautiful book with instructions for some amazing needlework. This pattern is also available to download free from my Ravelry Store

Yarn : Rowan Lima, one 50g ball ( = 100 metres/109 yards). 

Needles : Four 5mm/US 8 dpns.

Gauge: 18sts = 4" in stocking stitch.

Size: One size fits all, 26cm long.

Notation: 

k = knit

p = purl

sl = slip purlwise

CO = cast on

Directions:
To make armwarmers: Cast on 27 stitches over 3 dpns and join in the round. Work in k2 p1 rib for 6 rows. Now work in stocking stitch (i.e. knit every row) for 13cm. Make thumb hole as follows:

Row 1: sl1, knit to end of row, turn.
Row 2: Don’t continue working in the round, but on WS of armwarmer sl1, purl to end of row, turn.

Work these last two rows three more times. Next row: sl1, knit to end of row. To end the thumb hole: don’t turn your work at the end of this row, but start working stocking stitch in the round again. Keep going in stocking stitch for 6cm more (total length of armwarmer should be 24cm). Now work garter stitch in the round for 4 rows, i.e. purl the first row, knit the second, purl the third and knit the fourth. Now bind off all stitches and weave in loose ends. Make two armwarmers. 

Embroidery:

Step 1: Choose four colours of embroidery thread, number them one to four:

Step 2:  Lay the first armwarmer out facing upwards and thread your embroidery needle with thread colour 1. The stocking stitch fabric is made up of rows and columns of little upside-down v’s. Find the 6th row down from the garter stitch band at the top of your armwarmer and bring your needle up through the fabric just to the left of the second little upside-down v in the row.

Step 3: Now find the upside-down v two rows up and one column to the right. Bring your needle from right to left under the upside-down v and out the other side.

Step 4: Find the upside-down v two rows down and one column to the right. Bring your needle from right to left under the upside-down v and out the other side.

Step 5: Repeat the last two steps until you get to the other side of your armwarmer (don’t worry too much if it’s a little messy, the next few steps will neaten it up).

Step 6: Thread your embroidery needle with thread 2, bring it up through the armwarmer just above where you started with thread 1.

Step 7: Bring the thread under the first stitch in thread 1 from bottom to top.

Step 8: Bring the thread under the next stitch in thread 1 from top to bottom.

Step 9: Bring the thread under the next stitch in thread one from bottom to top.

Step 10: Repeat the last two steps until you get to the last stitch in thread 1. Bring the needle through to the back of the armwarmer to match the other side.

Step 11: Repeat this process three rows below using threads 3 and 4, and once more three rows below that using threads 1 and 2 again.

Step 12: Secure all loose threads at the back. There shouldn’t be anything to catch your hand on when you put the armwarmer on.

Now repeat for the other armwarmer. Make sure that the thumbhole is one the other side for the second one!