Crochet hand warmers are one of the most practical projects you can make, and this cute skull pattern is perfect for Halloween! The pattern is free right here, or you can get an ad-free, printable PDF from our shop. I also have a video you can crochet along with!
UPDATED: OCTOBER 2, 2024 BY BRITTANY
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Skill Level | Intermediate
Finished Size | Adult Small & Large
If you need a quick Halloween project for your Tunisian crochet hooks, this is it! Kick back with your favorite spooky movie and crochet some hand warmers to keep your hands cozy.
This fun pattern uses a colorwork technique from knitting called the duplicate stitch, which lets you add the skulls after crocheting. It’s one of the easiest ways to bring colorful designs into your projects!
About This Spooky Crochet Hand Warmers Pattern
Crochet hand warmers are one of my favorite things to make because they’re quick to finish, and they keep your hands warm while leaving your fingers free to do other things. With a mix of Tunisian crochet, duplicate stitches, and regular crochet, this project has it all! It’s one of the most fun and interesting patterns I’ve ever made.
If you want more details, have questions, or just want to dive into the pattern, keep reading. Happy crocheting!
Pattern Overview:
- Supplies
- Buy the ad-free, printable pattern
- Abbreviations
- Pattern Notes
- Gauge & Finished Size
- Spooky Skull Crochet Hand Warmers Pattern Instructions
- Skull Pattern Color Diagram
- Finishing Your Crochet Hand Warmers
- Easy Crochet Pumpkin Step-by-Step Video
- More Fall Crochet Projects + Free Patterns
Recommended Supplies
- About 120 yds total; Medium-weight (#4) Yarn
- Color A: about 120 yds
- Color B: about 10 yds
- 5 mm Crochet Hook
- 6 mm Tunisian Crochet Hook
- Yarn Needle
- Scissors
I’ve crocheted these hand warmers with all kinds of medium-weight yarns, and they always turn out great! You really can’t go wrong with any yarn you choose. For the hand warmers in the photos, I used Mary Maxim Woodlands yarn in ecru and charcoal, which unfortunately has been discontinued. I love the texture of this yarn and how well it works with this pattern.
Here’s a list of possible yarn substitutes for Woodlands yarn from a handy website called Yarn Sub. Just makes sure you choose a smooth or slightly textured medium-weight yarn so the skulls stand out.
Since these hand warmers need to fit just right, it’s important to check your gauge if you’re not using Mary Maxim Woodlands yarn. Gauge helps ensure your project turns out the right size by measuring stitches and rows. If you’d like more details on gauge, you can bookmark my gauge guide for later – it’s a helpful resource!
Abbreviations
This pattern is written using standard US crochet terminology.
- BLO Back Loop Only
- Ch Chain
- Hk Hook
- Rem Remaining
- Rep Repeat
- Sk Skip
- Slst Slip Stitch
- St(s) Stitch(es)
- Tks Tunisian Knit Stitch
Additional Notes
This pattern is worked using a standard crochet hook and a Tunisian crochet hook, starting with the band and working through the hand. The skulls are added afterwards using the duplicate stitch technique.
Unlike regular crochet stitch patterns, one Tunisian crochet row, and round is made up of a forward pass and a return pass.
During the forward pass, you collect stitches on the hook. In the return pass, you work those stitches off the hook. For each round, you’ll see instructions for both the forward and return passes. You’ll also need to bind off the last row to finish it neatly and match the rest of the fabric.
Since Tunisian crochet keeps all stitches on the hook at once, a standard crochet hook won’t work for the hand section of the pattern. But any regular or corded Tunisian crochet hook will do the trick.
Gauge: 15 sts and 20 rows = 4″ worked in Tunisian Knit Stitch
Finished Size: Adult Small | 7.5″ hand circumference, 6.25″ length; Adult Large | 8″ hand circumference, 7″ length
Once finished, these crochet hand warmers will stretch for a cozy fit. But for them to turn out the right size, your stitches need to match the gauge. After a few rows, check to see if 15 of your stitches measure 4″. If they do, your hand warmers should be the right size.
Additional Notes: Instructions for the sizes are given as follows: Adult Small(Adult Large)
Spooky Skull Crochet Hand Warmers Pattern Instructions
Band
Row 1: With color A and the smaller crochet hook, ch 9(10). Sc in the 2nd ch from the hk and in each rem ch. Ch 1 and turn. (8,9 sts)
Row 2: Sc in the BLO of each st. Ch 1 and turn.
Repeat: Rep the last row 26(28) more times. Don’t fasten off.
Rotate the work to evenly space 28(30) sc along the long edge of the band. Turn. Don’t fasten off.
A digital pattern is available in our shop so you can print out the pattern
Hand
Next Row Forward Pass: Pick up the working loop with the Tunisian crochet hook. *Insert hk in next st, YO, and pull up a loop. Rep from * to end of row. (28, 30 loops on hk)
Return Pass: YO and pull through one loop. *YO and pull through two loops. Rep from * until only one loop remains on hk.
Repeat: Rep last row forward and return pass until work measures 6.25(7)” from the band edge. Don’t fasten off. Pull up on the working loop and leave it while embroidering.
Crochet a second hand warmer following the same instructions.
Adult Small Color Diagram
Adult Large Color Diagram
Finishing Your Crochet Hand Warmers
Step 1: Use color B and follow the diagram to place the duplicate stitches on each hand warmer. The top of the diagram matches the top of the hand warmer.
Step 2: Start at the bottom corner of the first skull and add a duplicate stitch for each colored square in the diagram. Work across the first row from one side to the other, then move up to the next row, working in the opposite direction. This side-to-side, bottom-to-top method will give you the best results.
Step 3: After completing all skulls, pick up the working loop with the smaller crochet hook. Fold the hand warmer in half, then insert your hook into the first stitch on the other side and slip stitch.
Step 4: Slip stitch (slst) through the next 8 (or 9) stitches, catching both layers of the hand warmer.
Step 5: Slip stitch through the next 7 (or 8) stitches, working in only one layer of the hand warmer. For the left-hand warmer, slip stitch in the layer closest to you. For the right-hand warmer, slip stitch in the layer furthest from you. This creates the thumb holes.
Step 6: Slip stitch through the remaining stitches of the hand and band, catching both layers.
Step 7: Fasten off and weave in the ends.
By using this pattern, you agree to our terms of use:
This pattern is for personal use only.
You agree not to modify, publish, share, sell, or create derivative works from the content on this page, in whole or in part. If you’d like to share this pattern, please share the link to this webpage only. You may sell finished items made from this pattern.
Spooky Skull Crochet Hand Warmers Step-by-Step Video
Video not displaying? Watch this tutorial on YouTube instead.
I also have a left-handed tutorial here.
More Fall Crochet Projects + Free Patterns
Making free patterns for fall projects is kind of our thing. Check out some of our other tutorials with free crochet patterns specifically for the fall season:
