Knitted Hancuffs Pattern

I wanted to make a fun pair of knitted handcuffs for a friend of mine, but wasn’t satisfied with the patterns I found, so I decided to make my own! This was the first time I designed and made a knitting pattern on my own, and I think it turned out pretty well, though it did take some trail and error.

The first pair I made, I made the links too thick, so they were very hard to manipulate and maneuver. I also did everything in stockinette stitch, so the edges curled quite a bit. Here, I made the cuffs in a 1×1 rib pattern, which not only gets rid of the edge curling, but also gives them a nice stretch. I also did the links in garter stitch to avoid curling. This pattern is also available as a free PDF on my Ravelry.

Materials:

• 1 skein Hometown Lion Brand yarn or other bulky/super bulky yarn. Bernat Crushed Velvet yarn also works well.
• 4 or 5 US size 8 (5 mm) double-pointed needles
• Row counter
• Scissors
• Tapestry needle

Skills:

• Knitting in the round on dpns
• 1×1 ribbing
• Garter stitch
• Icelandic Bind-Off

Abbreviations:

k: Knit

p: Purl

BO: Bind Off

dpns: Double-Pointed Needles 

Cuff:

Cast on 24 sts, divide evenly over 3 or 4 dpns. Join in the round.

Row 1: *k1, p1* until end, repeat over next 6 rows.

Row 8: k1, p1, BO 3 in rib pattern, continue rib until end.

Row 9: k1, p1, cast on 3, continue rib pattern until end.

Row 10: *k1, p1* until end.

BO off in rib pattern.

Link:

Cast on 12 sts, divide evenly over 3 or 4 dps. Bring needle through the hole in the cuff, leading with the needle that has your slip knot on it. Join in the round.

Row 1: k until end. As you knit, you will have to continuously bring the needles through the hole in the cuff. Keep high tension in between needles.

Row 2: p until end.

Row 3: k until end.

Row 4: p until end.

BO in Icelandic Bind-Off.

Repeat link instructions 4 more times, or until you’ve reached your desired odd-numbered amount of links. Bring your needles through the previous link instead of the hole in the cuff before joining in the round.

Cuff 2:

Cast on 24 sts, divide evenly over 3 or 4 dpns. Join in the round.

Row 1: *k1, p1* until end, repeat over next 6 rows.

Row 8: k1, p1, BO 3 in rib pattern, continue rib until end.

Row 9: k1, p1, bring needles through the last link starting with leftmost needle, cast on 3, continue rib pattern until end. 

Row 10: *k1, p1* until end

BO in rib pattern while rotating the cuff through the last link.

Weave under ends, make sure that the end links are in the cuff holes, and you’re good to go!