Alahambra Gloves in Cascade Heritage Paints and Kid Seta Noir - Free

Alahambra Handwarmers in Cascade Heritage Paints and Kid Seta Noir

Project Overview

The Alahambra Handwarmers are an intermediate-level knitting project designed by Betty Balcomb that combines two distinct Cascade Yarns to create a visually striking accessory. These handwarmers showcase how layering complementary yarns can dramatically transform a colorway, inspired by the intricate Moorish architectural details found at the Alhambra palace.

What Is Being Made

This pattern creates a pair of handwarmers—fingerless gloves or wrist warmers—that fit most women comfortably. The design is worked in the round using double pointed needles, making them seamless garments ideal for keeping hands and wrists warm while maintaining finger mobility. The sizing is adjustable by simply changing needle sizes up or down to achieve a better fit.

Yarn Materials

• Cascade Heritage 150 Paints — The primary yarn, with the pictured handwarmers shown in color 9791. One skein is required per pair.
• Cascade Kid Seta Noir — A slender contrasting yarn worked in combination with the Heritage yarn. The pictured version uses color 05 (black). One ball is needed.

Needles and Tools

• Size 5 double pointed needles (or size required to obtain gauge)
• Cable needle for executing cable stitches
• Stitch marker for tracking rounds
• Scrap yarn for provisional cast-on or finishing

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 6 stitches per inch in stockinette stitch. The handwarmers are designed to fit almost all women, with flexibility built into the construction. To adjust the fit, knitters can simply go up one needle size for a larger garment or down one needle size for a smaller fit, without needing to recalculate stitch counts or row lengths.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

This intermediate project employs several advanced stitch techniques that create the distinctive Moorish-inspired pattern across 18 stitches. The pattern is worked primarily on right-side rows due to the in-the-round construction, which simplifies the knitting process compared to working flat.

Specialty Stitches

• TRP (Twisted Right Purl) — Insert the right needle in the usual knit direction into the 2nd stitch, knit that stitch but do not slide it off the needle, then purl the 1st stitch and slide both stitches off the needle together. This creates a twisted effect.
• TLP (Twisted Left Purl) — Insert the right needle into the back of the 2nd stitch, purl that stitch without sliding it off, then knit the 1st stitch and slide both off the needle. Alternatively, this can be executed using a cable needle to cross the stitches for easier execution.
• TL (Twisted Left) — Insert the right needle into the back of the 2nd stitch, knit that stitch without sliding it off, then knit the 1st stitch and slide both stitches off the needle.
• C3BP (Cable 3 Back Purl) — Slip 1 stitch to the cable needle and hold in back, knit 2 stitches from the left needle, then purl 1 stitch from the cable needle.
• C3FP (Cable 3 Front Purl) — Slip 2 stitches to the cable needle and hold in front, purl 1 stitch from the left needle, then knit 2 stitches from the cable needle.

Pattern Structure

The pattern is worked across 18 stitches in the round, with most pattern creation occurring on right-side rows. Because the handwarmers are knitted circularly, every row is technically a right-side row, eliminating the need to reverse pattern instructions for wrong-side rows as would be necessary when working flat. This streamlined approach makes the pattern more accessible for intermediate knitters.

Design Inspiration

The combination of Cascade Heritage 150 Paints with the delicate Kid Seta Noir creates a dramatic visual effect. The slender contrasting thread subtly alters how the multicolored Heritage yarn is perceived, resulting in a fabric with exceptional depth and complexity. The pattern's name references the Alhambra