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Knitted Arm Warmers (Celtic Cable Stitch Pattern)

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This pair of knitted arm warmers have a textured Celtic cable stitch pattern as the main design.

The cable stitch and design colors have been chosen with inspiration from the TV show Outlander.

Please scroll down to view the free pattern on the site, or you can purchase a printer-friendly, ad-free PDF in my shop here.

knitted arm warmers in worsted weight yarn

Knitted Arm Warmers

If you have been watching the Outlander TV series, you have probably noticed the beautiful costumes and knitted pieces that the characters wear, including knitted arm warmers.

Brianna and Claire are both seen wearing a range of knitted pieces, including grey, green, and blue fingerless mittens, gloves, arm warmers, and wrist warmers.

Related Post: Outlander Costumes {Including The Knitwear And More!}

CABLE ARM WARMERS FREE

You may also like these arm warmer knitting patterns

You can see a pattern for the popular cable knit brown wrist warmers that Claire is seen wearing in Outlander season 1 here – Outlander Claire’s Cable Knit Wrist Warmers.

The instructions are given to knit them flat and in the round with worsted weight yarn.

She wears them with her tassel shawl which you can also make here – Sassenach Tassel Shawl Knitting Pattern

sassenach-tassel-shawl-outlander
Cable knit arm warmers

How To Wear Arm Warmers?

Wearing arm warmers is a straightforward process, and they can be a stylish and functional addition to your outfit.

Arm warmers are essentially sleeves that cover your arms, typically made of materials like wool, cotton, or synthetic fabrics.

They are great for adding extra warmth in cooler weather or as a fashion accessory.

Here’s how to wear arm warmers:

  1. Choose The Right Pair:
    • Select arm warmers that match your style and the occasion. They come in various colors, patterns, and materials, so pick the ones that complement your outfit.
  2. Wear a Base Layer (Optional):
    • You can wear a thin, long-sleeved shirt or a base layer under the arm warmers if you prefer extra warmth or if the weather is particularly cold.
  3. Slide Them On:
    • Hold the arm warmer at the top edge and slide it onto your arm, starting from your wrist and working your way up to your upper arm or elbow, depending on the length of the arm warmers. If they have thumbholes, slide your thumbs through these holes.
  4. Adjust as Needed:
    • Ensure that the arm warmers are snug but not too tight. You should be able to move your arms comfortably. If they are too loose, they might slip down, so adjust them as necessary.
  5. Coordinate with Your Outfit:
    • Arm warmers can be worn with various clothing items, including short-sleeved or sleeveless dresses, T-shirts, tank tops, and even over long-sleeved shirts. Choose an outfit that complements your arm warmers.
  6. Mix and Match:
    • Get creative with your arm warmers. You can wear a different color or pattern on each arm for a fun and eclectic look, or match them perfectly for a more polished appearance.
  7. Consider the Weather:
    • Arm warmers are versatile and can be worn in different seasons. In colder weather, they can provide extra insulation, while in milder weather, they can add a touch of style without making you too hot.
  8. Experiment with Styling:
    • Arm warmers can be pulled up for a scrunched look or smoothed out for a sleek appearance. Experiment with different styles to find what works best for your outfit and personal style.
  9. Accessorize:
    • You can further accessorize your look by adding bracelets, cuffs, or wristbands over the arm warmers for a trendy layered effect.

Remember that arm warmers can be a fashion statement as well as a functional clothing item, so feel free to get creative with your outfits and make them your own.

Celtic cable knitted arm warmers

Knitting The Arm Warmers Flat

The arm warmer is knit flat, this means back and forth on straight or circular needles and not in the round.

You can easily make the size larger by adding extra stitches to either side of the main cable, for what will be the underside of the arm warmers.

This leaves the main cable stitch pattern staying the same for all sizes.

arm warmers Celtic cable

The yarn I used

For this project I used Cascade 220 in blue (9325), this is a worsted weight yarn/medium weight yarn #4.

They were knit on size 5mm (US 8) knitting needles, and I used a cable needle.

You can use any yarn for this project that is the same weight and can be used with the same size needles.

Knitted fingerless gloves Celtic cable

Grab The Season 6 Pattern Collection Here

Notes

Skill Level – Intermediate

This arm warmers pattern is a great project for anyone who loves cables.

The pattern instructions are given to work the arm warmers flat with seaming.

Inspired by Claire’s blue knits seen worn in Outlander season 6.

Related Post: Bookmark Knitting Pattern (Celtic Cable)

Copyright Info

  • Please do not copy, sell, redistribute or republish this pattern. 
  • If you wish to share this pattern, link to the pattern page only.
  • You may sell items produced using this pattern.
  • Do NOT use the copyrighted photos for your product listing.
  • For the copyright T&C please read my Terms of Use.
Knit arm warmers

Size / Measurements

  • Women’s small/medium/large (cast on 36/40/44 sts)
  • Length = 10 inches
  • Width (not seamed – laying flat and unstretched) = 6/6.5/7 inches

Small

To make the arm warmers in a smaller size you will knit 4 edge stitches and 2 purl stitches on either side of the main cable pattern.

Medium

To make the arm warmers in a medium-size you will knit 6 edge stitches and 2 purl stitches on either side of the main cable pattern.

Large

To make the arm warmers in the large size you will knit 8 edge stitches and 2 purl stitches on either side of the main cable pattern.

Adjusting

To make the arm warmers smaller or larger you can add fewer or more knit stitches to each edge.

Gauge – 18 sts / 24 rows in 4 inches/10 cm of stocking stitch.

knitted arm warmers and Fraser tartan Outlander bag

The supplies you need…

Yarn

  • 1 x 100g skein of any medium-weight yarn (04) / Aran / Worsted / 10 Ply.
  • I used Cascade 220 (100% wool / 100g / 200m / 219yds) in the color blue (9325).
  • If you use the cascade yarn you only need around 100yds/80 meters.

Needles

Notions

Knitted arm warmers with a cable stitch pattern

Abbreviations / Knitting Abbreviations And Terms (US And UK) List

  • CO – Cast on
  • Cont – Continue
  • K – Knit
  • P – Purl
  • PM – Place marker
  • SM – Slip marker
  • St(s) – Stitch(es)
  • Rep – Repeat
  • RS – Right side
  • WS – Wrong side

Stitch Pattern Notes

1 x 1 ribbing = K1, P1 (It is obtained by alternating knit and purl stitches in one row and “knitting by pattern” in every next row. This means that we make a knit stitch when the previous row stitch looks like V and make a purl stitch when the previous looks like a bump.)

Cast On: even number of stitches.

  • Row 1 (RS): (k1, p1) till the end of the row.
  • Row 2 (WS): (k1, p1) till the end of the row.

Repeat these two rows.

Cable Abbreviations

  • C4F = (cable 4 front)- slip 2 stitches onto the cable needle and hold at the front of the work, knit 2, then knit the 2 stitches from the cable needle.
  • C4B = (cable 4 back) – slip 2 stitches onto the cable needle and hold at the back of the work, knit 2, then knit the 2 stitches from the cable needle.
  • CR3L = slip 2 stitches onto the cable needle and hold at the front of the work, purl 1, then knit 2 from the cable needle.
  • CR3R = slip 1 stitch onto the cable needle and hold at the back of the work, knit 2, then purl 1 from the cable needle.
  • CR4L = slip 2 stitches onto the cable needle and hold at the front of the work, purl 2, then knit 2 from the cable needle.
  • CR4R = slip 2 stitches onto the cable needle and hold at the back of the work, knit 2, then purl 2 from the cable needle.
Celtic cable knitted arm warmers

Pattern

Worked flat on two needles: Make 2 the same.

CO – S – 36 / M – 40 / L – 44 sts. (See pattern size notes).

  • Work in 1×1 ribbing for 1 inch.

Next start working in the cable pattern as follows;

  • Row 1 (RS) – K4 (K6, K8), P2, PM, (P2, C4B, P2) x 3, PM, P2, K4 (K6, K8).
  • Row 2 (WS)- and every even row – P4 (P6, P8) (edge), K2, SM, knit all knit stitches and purl all purl stitches, SM, K2, P4 (P6, P8) (edge).
  • Row 3 – K4 (K6, K8), P2, SM, P1, CR3R, (CR4L, CR4R) x 2, CR3L, P1, SM, P2, K4 (K6, K8).
  • Row 5 – K4 (K6, K8), P2, SM, CR3R, P1, (P2, C4F, P2) x 2, P1, CR3L, SM, P2, K4 (K6, K8).
  • Row 7 – K4 (K6, K8), P2, SM, K2, P2, (CR4R, CR4L) x 2, P2, K2, SM, P2, K4 (K6, K8).
  • Row 9 – K4 (K6, K8), P2, SM, (K2, P2) x 2, P2, C4B, P2, (P2, K2) x 2, SM, P2, K4 (K6, K8).
  • Row 11 – K4 (K6, K8), P2, SM, K2, P2, (CR4L, CR4R) x 2, P2, K2, SM, P2, K4 (K6, K8).
  • Row 13 – K4 (K6, K8), P2, SM, CR3L, P1, (P2, C4F, P2) x 2, P1, CR3R, SM, P2, K4 (K6, K8).
  • Row 15 – K4 (K6, K8), P2, SM, P1, CR3L, (CR4R, CR4L) x 2, CR3R, P1, SM, P2, K4 (K6, K8).

Repeat the 16-row cable stitch pattern twice more, slipping the markers as you work.

Next work in 1×1 ribbing for 1 inch.

Cast off in rib.

Making Up

  • Stitch the side seam closed using an invisible seam.
  • Sew in any loose ends.

Video/Photo Tutorial

Celtic cable stitch on the needles

Grab The Pattern PDF

How Do You Knit Easy Arm Warmers?

Knitting a pair of easy arm warmers is a great project for beginner knitters.

Choose a simple design like a rib stitch or stocking stitch.

Try this relaxing enjoyable knit that uses basic knit stitches – How To Knit Easy Arm Warmers

You can also see fingerless mitts here with a thumb hole (another easy knitting pattern) – Fraser’s Ridge Fingerless Mittens Pattern.

Handmade pieces make unique gift ideas for friends and family.

Share your work with us

If you enjoyed making the arm warmers, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @handylittleme or #handylittleme.

If you are on Facebook, stop over to the handylittleme Facebook group and share a photo.

I’d love to see your work!

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