Welcome to the Dragon Paws Pattern Companion Page

Here you will find any additional information, errata, tips and anything else that comes up in relation to my knitting pattern for these fun and fancy hand warmers.

Scroll down the page for Tips, blocking help, and a Photo Gallery

~ Errata ~
I guess some errors are inevitable, I just hope this list is short! I apologize with all my heart for any frustrations these errors may cause.
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  • None so far!

Sales Pitch (thinly veiled)

The 2nd Edition is live. After knitting so many pairs, I guess a little, minor tweaking was inevitable!
Knitting pattern for fingerless gloves/hand warmers with ruffles and beads. You can purchase the full color, paper pattern Dragon Paws, or an instant digital download on Etsy

Also available as a digital version for instant download on Ravelry or on LoveKnitting Whoohoo!

Skill Level = Intermediate

One size = woman’s medium (7 to 7-1/2″ hand measured around the hand just above the thumb) although the ribbed hand allows for a wide variance in size.

Knit with fingering yarn on size 2.74 mm (US 2) two 60 cm/24" circulars needles or the Magic Loop method, requires lace knitting, picking up stitches, knitting in the round, basic crochet, incorporating beads in knitting (optional), and following a chart (optional, as written directions are supplied also). Gauge is important, it can also be used to alter the finished size.

“Dragon Paws” are bejeweled hand warmers with pointed ruffles resembling the graceful sweep of a dragon’s wing. Designed to use all those fabulous little leftovers of sock yarn; pick four or five colors that play well together. Beads are optional.
They are hand warmers with flare… and frills and bling. I started playing with ruffle designs and came up with one that looks like a dragon wing (well, to me, in my world). I added a few beads because a girl needs a little sparkle. Then it needed another ruffle. And since it was so fun, I threw in another ruffle and a few more beads. The results are pure extravagance and fun to wear. I’ve made a few by now and discovered that depending on the yarns and colors you use they can be quite prissy and girly, steampunk or goth, elegant or posh. Oh, they keep your hands warm too – at the keyboard, driving the kids to soccer, or playing the cello at the Met. I popped in Starbucks to grab my required cappuccino on the way to work and barely got out with my personal pair still on me! The reception has been a heady experience.

© All my patterns are copyright protected and are for personal use only. This pattern may not be reproduced for resale or distribution (giving copies to guild members is copyright infringement). Any items made using this pattern may be sold only with prior written agreement. E-mail me with your request and we can work something out.

Tips!

After knitting several pair (they are my personal "potato chip" knitting) I have found a few things useful:
  • A snug gauge (I like a size 2.25 mm (US 1) needle for my small hands) and fit provides better support for the ruffles.
  • Bind off at the fingers and thumb edges in purl. It gives a tidier look and is easier to pick-up stitches if you add the decorative crocheted edge.
  • ​When picking up the purl bumps for your ruffles, don't forget to pick up the purls hiding in-between the knit ribs. Stretching out the ribbing as you go will make it easier to see them.
  • The cuff ruffle at the arm edge of the mitts; If you use a provisional cast-on it is easier to pick up the stitches for this ruffle.
  • To make the mitts easier to tuck inside the cuffs of your winter coat, omit the ruffle at the arm cuff edge altogether. Finish with the decorative crocheted edge used on the fingers.
  • ​For blocking your finished mitts, scroll down for Dorinda's tutorial.

A tip from a customer: when adding the decorative crocheted edge around the fingers, do it from the inside (wrong side) of the mitts. If you bound-off in purl it will be much easier to pick up the two loops of the bind-off. There is only a slight difference in the look and it looks good! - Thanks Ann-Marie!

Another tip (thanks Sabina, for the question!) if you want them smaller for a teen or someone with tiny hands:
It's easy to make them smaller by using a smaller size needle. In reality, I have very small hands (my wedding ring is a 3 ½). I use a  2.25 mm (US 1) when knitting them for me, I'm also a tight knitter so they fit me well. A light fingering wt yarn knit with a 2.0 mm (US 0) should be a good fit for a younger teen.

And a big Thank You! to A Bean To Go in Lake Orion, MI for humoring my odd request for one of their Baristas to be my hand model!

Blocking Help for the Dragon Paws Mitts


Blocking each Dragon Paw ruffle is not necessary, but it makes them look more Dragon-Wing like. I would recommend this step if they are a gift as they give a really nice presentation. Personally, I block mine every time I wash them as I like the crisp wing look.

Start by pinning them out on a blocking board (anything you can stick pins into and will take the heat will do) in a star fashion with the fingers tucked inside the mitt and the cuff sticking up in the air - see photo 1 at right. Pin them out as aggressively as you can without stretching them out of shape.

Use a steamer (ideal) or a good steam iron to shoot steam into the yarn of the ruffles without touching the iron's sole plate to the yarn. If you have used sock yarn, or anything that contains nylon, acrylic or other synthetic, the sole plate will melt it and make your yarn "crunchy". Ask me how I know 😧

Once the ruffle is steamed all the way around, pin the next ruffle over it and repeat the process. Leave your mitt pinned to the board until it is thoroughly cool and dry. Remove the pins and repeat for the cuff ruffle if you have one.

Thanks so much to Dorinda of Crystaletts for the photos and showing me her technique - it's much faster than how I was doing it. In the second photo, instead of beads Dorinda used Crystaletts buttons and spikes on her Dragon Paws ruffles - cool, huh?
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Figure 1 - Dragon Paws, Blocking
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Figure 2 - Dragon Paws with Crystaletts

Photo Gallery of Dragon Paws

If you knit some, send me pictures to add to the gallery!